The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Best way to paint interior

I just picked up a '51 with a tan interior/exterior and would like to start doing the interior body work since it's getting a little chilly here in the northeast. Any suggestions on how to prep the interior and what kind of paint to use. I'm not looking for a show car finish, just something that is a little better than tan. Thanks.

Second reply from the bottom, no discussion, to many people have tried it and agree, it’s as close to the original as you’re gonna get:
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=165709&page=2

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I have no air compressor but do have an excellent local auto paint store. I removed the seat and removable panels, then sanded, primed, and prepped all the surfaces. Then I bought matching single-stage enamel and had it placed in spray cans with an additive to dull the finish to a semi-gloss sheen. I did the entire interior six years ago and it still looks good. In fact, the truck won best interior at a show this fall.

Just make sure you or your helper are close to "world-class" when it comes to taping and masking--be overly careful.

A word of caution: if you suspect that Armorall was ever sprayed on anything, use a product like Polycracker BEFORE you start doing any sanding or prep work. If not, the "fish-eye" will dog you forever. I found this out when I was prepping my wife's '67 Impala SS for an interational show--two weeks of daily shooting light coats to take care of the problem.

If you want to see the Chevies of the 40's paint look at my 53' in the link below. Very close or same as original by all accounts.

We are pretty much out in the sticks here,other than our local hardware stores and high priced body shops,my paint products must come from online.I dont think we have the techno-savy or competent paint help locally to mix the colors for my interior much less put in an aerosol can.My choices are pretty much rattle cans(rustoleum,x-o rust)for my interior.We are not building a show truck,but want to be proud of our work.We are ready to paint the inside cab.Is there any other options to look into?

You can look at Rustoleum 7272 Dark Bronze Metallic. It is only available in rattle cans. From what I can tell, it is quite similar to the factory color.

My camera is pretty poor, but here is a pic of an interior painted with that color: http://i49.tinypic.com/jiypo3.jpg

Really cool paint Ferndale,we are trying for a dark gray.Thanks its good to know that something that nice came out of a rattler.Did you take down to bare metal,and prime?Which is what I'm a doing.We are also having lots 'o fun!

Any more pictures of your interior you painted with the rustoleum dark bronze?

This is the only other picture I have handy:
http://i48.tinypic.com/wahyjb.jpg

I took it down to bare metal and shot rustoleum clean metal primer.

So, does everything get the dark bronze except the metal where the seat mounts and the floor boards? And is it the same colour for a 1948 two ton?

I believe there were actually two interior colors used in 51-53' trucks and Suburbans. One is a gray called Pulsar Gray by some accounts and was used in Deluxe cabs. The other is a darker flat brown that was used in standard cabs and is closer to the one discussed here as a Rustoleum color.

At least that is what my research has turned up. Anyone here have other/better information?

I Would like some info on the Pulsar Gray,who makes it?Where can I get it?Is it a metallic color?Also can Rustoleum Item#248930 Graphite wheel paint be used to paint an interior?It is the color of gray metallic I like,plus it comes in a rattle can.Is the Pulsar gray similar to Graphite gray? Thanks to all & Happy Holidays

47-55 Paint-Colors Tech Tip

I do not think that an interior deluxe color was available before 1954.

From 47-53, the Panel and Canopy Express trucks had a gray interior color (a different gray color-code from the 54/55 Pulsar Gray).

In 1954, interior colors and color combinations become more complicated.
Regular Cab & Panel interior color: Pearl Beige
Regular Cab & Panel deluxe interior color: Pulsar Gray
Regular Cab & Panel deluxe two-tone interior: 4 different color combinations were available

Panel-Body Interior Colors:
49-53 (and, maybe 54) Panel and Canopy Express interior- Gray
47-53 Suburban: Pecan Brown
54 (and, maybe 55) Suburban: Pulsar Gray

Original color codes are given in the Tech-Tip, as is information on how to contact PPG. If PPG does not have a new code or an offset-code, you would need to try to get a scanned-match from a piece of painted metal that was hiddent from sunlight and scratching. PPG's Prophet System is good. As I recall, they do not have a modern code for Pulsar Gray. I might have a PPG Prophet formula, if you are interested.

If you post a photo of Graphite Gray, I can tell you if it looks like graphite gray.

Jim Carter sells Pulsar Gray [paint (I think).

Sorry,I don't have a picture of Rustoleum#248930 Graphite wheel paint,TC,I just went to their website,seen the color gray we are looking for.We are limited to spray cans(on a budget)and building a driver not a show truck.The Wife's Yard Sale Hauler!Thanks & Have a Safe Holiday!

Paint it the color you want, or can get. Unless, of course, you plan to park it next to another purist (besides you - of course) and argue whether yours or his/hers is correct.

You would be supprised when a dozen of these trucks are side by side at how many shades of the same color are correct. Maybe, in their own eyes.

oldbluetruck(coolname)I don't plan on parking next to a "purist",just next to my crew of local Ratrodders,who chop and airbag everything,therefore they don't help me on our 51!(lol) You can only imagine what suggestions they've come up with I just like that color for my interior.Also no chopped top or airbags on redsoldblue51

I think you will do the right thing. And like it. It will be perfect in your eyes.

That is what you want

Enjoy the ride