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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 194 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 194 | I am considering getting a 1955 Chevy 6400 that has been in a field for about 10+ years and I want to add a Cummins diesel engine and tranny, leave the outside old and beat up, but COMPLETELY redo the interior. I need to know things about painting the dash and door panels like what grit to use, how long to do each grit, and what type of paint you would reccomend. Or is it something I should leave to the pros at the body shop? I have been painting things like lawn mower trailers, air guns, etc. since I was 11 years old. I want to keep it looking original. I have done rattle can jobs on many things. Sometimes it turns out great, sometimes it turned out looking worse than homemade soap. Should I start by taking out the door panels and dash and setting them on a paint rack? I am 13. Interior pic Dash Pic Dash Pic #2 | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 | If you go to your local library, check out a copy of the Haynes Body Repair and Painting Guide. You'll find that most of the book is devoted to preparing the surface to be painted, cleaning, and sanding.
The executive summery is: Clean, clean, clean. Sand with progressively finer grit paper, until you get to about 600 grit, clean, clean, clean. Paint, several light coats are always better than heavy coats.
You can get a ver professional looking result using spray bombs on small projects like a dash, it all depends on following the directions, and putting the paint on light. You can always wet sand any flaws out once the paint has cured, and put another coat on.
I'd be tempted to just get the truck running first, with the stove bolt in it, then tackle the interior and exterior.
Do you have a shop manual for the truck? | | | | | Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 194 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2011 Posts: 194 | Getting it running first was already part of the plan, I was in a hurry and I forgot to add that in. And no, I do not have a shop manual, but it is going to be the first thing I buy. I do not want to do any bodywork or things like that. Only interior and drivetrain. I like the old, weathered look. Dents are just character! Thanks for the advice! | | |
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