The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Steerin column paint: Dupot 8540 help?

So, it seems there is no consensus on what is the best available color code for the steering column, steering wheel and shifter for the early AD trucks. I am ready to restore my parts and I can find the paint. I am about to just paint them black (like the 54/55 trucks), but would rather paint it correctly for my year, 1952. Has anyone figured thsi out? My paint supplier says the Dupont 8540 is not a good number. The closest I could find was 8540L which was a Jaguar color called Sable.

Give it a try, I've tried a dozen different stock paints and
even spent the money a couple of times with a PPG supplier to
get a color formula match up to my like new sample mast jacket,
they never could get it right.

I looked at the Color Library at Jaguar color chips all the way
back to '90 and they don't show any tint called Sable.

It would be nice to find a stock color that would match the
wheel/mast jacket used in the AD's. I haven't found it in the
seven years that I've been looking. You would be the first to
be successful at finding it.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

So Denny, what did you end up using? A custom mix or a formula that was close. Like you have said, color is subjective from one person to another, so I just want to get it close. Still thinking black might even look better. Not too wild about a funny looking gray that seems out of place anyway.

Currently, the only link to the color (chip) I have found is here look at the bottom of the page. A Jaguar 68-75 color. Do you think that looks close...hard to tell on the laptop monitor?

Here is another, larger sample.

I just looked at the color referenced by links above and they both look tan on a good monitor. Seem to me they are not even close to the grey/purple required.

I've had several paint dealers mix for me and got one of them that came up with a pretty
good match, not perfect mind you but pretty close. Anyone looking it over couldn't tell
the difference unless a good original was layed up next to it.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/141188750/large
And no, they could not give me a formula so this mix was a one time mix.

If you care at all about originality don’t paint the steering black, that’s a dead give away
of an improperly executed restoration.

Neither one of those links look like the color. It is not a tan or sand color, it’s a gray with
a hint of purple in it.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks Denny. I have a proposition for you.... What you say about apply your custom color on a piece of sheet metal and providing it to fellow Bolters who could then get their favorite paint shop to custom match to the sample. Sort of a community sample board that gets past around?

Due to the cost of the paint and not getting it right scares me. Then if it is wrong, I have another qaurt of paint I have to properly dispose of. Maybe I will go the rattle can route (Rustoleum 7754) and protect it with a coat of 2K clear. Not sure how well the rattle can stuff will hold up to the clear.

Sent ya pm Dave.

DG

For the column and wheel, I used SEM 15423 Taupe in a rattle can. It matched perfectly (to my eyes) the paint I found on the back side of steering wheel and under the horn button where the PO had not painted.

Was that the color that was in your 1953 GMC? I found this on
line about your paint:

“SEM COLOR COAT is formulated to match, restore or change color
on most vinyl surfaces, flexible and rigid plastics, carpet and
velour.”
Also #15423 Taupe is a discontinued color.


Denny G

Yes, it was a very,very close match to what I believe was the orginal color. When I took off the steering wheel and examined the places the PO had not painted, it matched.

I was able to Google "SEM 15423 Taupe" and found several places that sell it and I was able to buy it 3 months ago.

I went out to the SEM web site and found there are two other classic coat lines; SEM Classic Coat 17243 Taupe and 17253 Lt. Taupe. I don't have experience with these but here is what they say.

"CLASSIC COAT uses advanced technology to provide superior adhesion and flexibility when changing or restoring the color of most leather and vinyl. CLASSIC COAT is a fade resistant coating that won’t chip or peel and is available in many of today’s popular OEM colors."

I just painted a few parts with Rustoleum #7754. The match is suprising better than I had hoped for. The sprayed color has the purple hue (not evident when looking at cap). I plan on letting the paint dry several weeks before hitting with 2k automotive clear. I hope the paint will not lift.

DavidF,
Since I am just learning, is suppose to thave a purple hue?

I also used #7754 for steering column, steering wheel, and shifter.

It is not a match at all for the original paint, but close, and a nice contrast to the #7272 I used on the other interior parts.

This is rattle can, and work for me. I was not going for a trophy winner but a daily driver.

Here is a pic with camera flash
...pic...

...sunlight...
...shade...

I also found the #7754 did have a purple-ish hue.

Good Luck

Yeah, I think it looks like the finish I can very easily live with in my truck. Thanks for sharing all your information.

Can you send me the name of the paint color you are using to paint your steerin column. My local big box store is having trouble trying to find paint #7754 in the rustoleum paint brand. Thanks for your help Rob

7754 Anodized Bronze is a very common Rustoleum color, any of the big box stores like
Menards, Home Depot or Ace Hardware should stock it or they can order it. The same
paint in a larger container is available as Rustoleum 239111 Anodized Bronze.
This is a flat finish paint though and you would have to follow up with a gloss clear coat.
Here is a comparison of those paints to a custom matched PPG automotive gloss enamel
who’s tint is very close to the original mast jacket color:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/141556270/large

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I found mine on the shelf at ace hardware, Justs as Denny points out
...pic...
...pic...

This was a few years ago

So, I have painted all my steering column parts with the Rusto #7754 and the color match to my original column is absolutely close enough for me. Now, I am concerned about the durability of the Rusto paint long term. I was planning on apply 2k automotive clear over the Rusto, but now I am concerned that it will shine it up and make it not match at all. There is also a concern that it will lift the Rusto paint...I would do a test piece first. So far, all the Rusto paint has cured in excess of one week.

Any oppinions on whether or not I should apply the clear coat?

Long as it's not lacquer that your shooting over the Rustoleum you should be all right, but
you seem to know your way around the paint boot David, you better off shooting a test
sample any time you're using different products. The Wheel, mast jacket and shifter were
a gloss finish on the original trucks, not a flat or semi-gloss.

DG

Denny and DADS50 thanks for your help I'll go back to Lowes with the number and the color name and get some paint.

roberr54,

What year is your truck? Presumably not a 54?

For what its worth

I did not clear my mast or steering wheel over the rattle can. Its held up pretty well

I dont have a show truck
Driving it to work tomorrow.

Good Luck

Dint even notice that Tim, that boy is gonna be way off base if he's drivin' a '54 isn't he.

For a stock rattle can paint that tint comes pretty close Gus, as one can see in the
comparison I made. Point I was trying to get across is if they're trying to achieve the
original look they will need to gloss clear coat that particular Rustoleum paint as it‘s a
satin texture when dry.
I personally think you truck has turned out great, wish I was that far along on mine. I’m
six months into my seventh year of owning mine and its still half blue, half ratty red and
some in prime. And my interior, although it’s clean and comfortable is the same sort of
crazy quilt of colors in the interest of correctness.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I have two trucks a 52 and a 53 both 3100 with 235 engines, both run and are driven as often as possible. I'm getting ready to start the rebuilding of the 53, and I have a bunch of questions I will be asking in the future.

I was just being careful, Denny. robverr54 has no old posts referring to a 1954 engine, but, you never know.

roberr54,

A word of advice when/if you post questions about your 235 engines: be sure to mention the year. A 235 was never the standard engine on a 1953 or earlier Chevrolet 3100 (1/2 ton truck).

Keep asking questions. Good luck with your projects.

Well, I clear coated the parts with 2k urethane clear and it came out terrific. Only one small problem: While the upper shifter bracket was hanging on the coat hanger to cure, I knocked it off onto the floor and messed it up. Have to start over with that piece...ugh, I hate it when I do stupid things....

Any pics of your results?

Here’s that Rustoleum 7754 with a strip of clear gloss enamel over it.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/141650771/large
That clear gloss brings it closer to the original appearance but its still more gray and lacks
the purplish tint that was present in the original paint. I doubt anyone would be able to tell
the difference without having the two next to each other.
The type of lighting and the angle it hits the surface makes a world of difference in the
way paint appears. For instance, the PPG offset color for the early AD overall interior
looks exactly like the original paint in the right light, other times it looks to dark and
viewed from certain angles it looks to light.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I stopped in to my local paint store and ask them if the Dupont 8540 was a good number, they checked on thier computer and said it is a good munber and that they could mix up whenever I was ready. FYI

And we're waiting on pins and needles for the sample Robert, when do we get to see it????

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I do, but they are terrible and dont do the part justice. The light and camera were both bad.

http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae273/dframe3/IMG_0909.jpg

http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae273/dframe3/IMG_0908.jpg

http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae273/dframe3/IMG_0907.jpg