The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Gloss or Semi-gloss

I am restoring a 1953 3100 5 window truck and I wanted to get an opinion on color for running boards and engine bay. I plan on painting them black. My painter asked me if I wanted gloss or semi-gloss. Which would be correct for my truck? This truck will be in mostly shows so I wanted something that would look nice. I'm afraid the gloss will have to much of a shine. The Chevrolet emblem on the tailgate is black and the clear coat makes it look gloss. I went with the original transport blue but with a clear coat. Any opinions on this one?

"Which would be correct for my truck?"

If you are interested in correctness, the firewall was originally painted the cab exterior color (same glossiness, too). The inner fenders were a semi-gloss (almost satin) black.

The tailgate was entirely painted the exterior color (letters too).

There is nothing wrong with how you are painting your truck - it is your truck. Since you are not looking for "factory correct" overall, the glossiness of the running boards should suit your tastes.

Maybe someone will know (Denny Graham?) if the running boards were exterior gloss or semigloss from the factory (I did mine as semi-gloss).

Will you be going to "friendly" non-technical shows, or to VCCA type shows?

Strictly non-technical local shows. Your right in that my truck is not 100% restored to factory specs. I just wanted to survey how many went with Semi-gloss vs gloss. My instincts tell me that semi-gloss would look better since mine is a lighter shade of blue.

FWIW, I've found that Rustolium Satin Black is an excellent choice for these parts, but get a quart, thin it and apply it with a gun, I've completely abandoned rattle cans because they just don't lay down a reasonable amount of paint... too thinned out to be of any serious use.

Plus you tend to get a dry line between passes, don't ask me how I know!

Not cut in stone but I believe the running boards were gloss black like the wheels. I can remember seeing some of the bigger heavy duty trucks running boards coming with a nearly flat black finish, but the light duty trucks were gloss.
Like the other guys said, the engine bolt on accessorys, inner skirts, core support, bracing rods, upper and lower baffles, were all a semi-gloss. I've also found that the Rust-oleum 209584 or 7798 semi-gloss black is very close to the original look.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks for the input guys. I was thinking the engine bay should use mostly semi-gloss so you confirmed that. I'll go with gloss for the wheels and running boards since that was factory for the light trucks.

Remember to let us see a few pic's when you are done. Your project sounds great!