Yes, I know there's a separate paint and body forum, but I am painting an AD. Or thinking about it, at least. Probably getting well ahead of myself, but it's fun to dream. Been trying to decide on colors. Toying with the idea of trying to match an original color, even though I don't know which my truck was painted at the factory. (It's an older restoration.) Color swatches are online here -- http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/aclchip.aspx?image=1951-chevrolettruck-pg03.jpg I'm thinking that the "sun beige" would look nice, and be light enough to help hide the imperfections inevitable in my first body work project. Anyone have or seen a truck this color? Thoughts? Anyone have experience buying paint from autocolorlibrary? I see several advantages to single stage over base + clear, so will probably go that route. But I haven't decided between urethane and enamel. I will probably spring for a fresh air supply mask either way. If so, any reason not to go urethane? Also, anyone know of a good online step-by-step on the prep? Grits to use in stripping, before applying filler, when sanding filler, primer types, sanding between primer and paint, etc? Thanks!
Painting Fun I'm no painted but I have much experience with having old vehicles re - sprayed . I always stick to single stage paints , so far , Urethanes have been very good but don't forget they'll KILL YOU if they get the chance . I just had SWMBO's 1984/85 Mercedes Station Wagon re - sprayed by a high end restoration shop , he did me a favor and did his version of a cut rate used car lot job (over $4K) , he asked me if I minded using single stage Acrylic Enamel , I said by all means , go ahead as it's my favorite . It's no show car but it sure looks nice . Consider practicing on some old fenders first as painting the compound curves found on AD's & other oldies , is a trick I find *very* difficult .
what i did was once i narrowed down to 2 colors I brought 2- 5 by 12 pieces of sheetmetal to the paint shop and had them spray one color on each. Then could lay it on the truck and look at it. once I picked the color( 96 corvette blue) now i can take the color plate with me to the apholster for fabric selection. i know that some of the online stores sell samples but they are expensive. joe
I don't know enough about painting a vehicle to even BS my way through it, so I will not comment on type of paint, prep, etc, etc. I will address the other question about painting it beige. I am biased because I owned a '48 chevy coupe painted beige and I loved the color! The most frequent comment was "Man, that's a neat color. You don't see many painted that color". You don't see many AD trucks painted that color either, which would make me want to paint it that color. I was over on the HAMB and saw a suburban painted beige and another AD being built and painted beige. Here they are. Nice rides! Ken
I've started my first painting job last week. I'm using urethane. It requires a catalyst, and reducer. The paint can tells how much of each to use. I found it quite easy to mix and use. It will also keep for at least over night in a sealed container, don't know how much longer though. I definitely used a proper respirator for safety. Do that! I got a couple of runs, and will also practice on some used parts. I'm counting on being able to sand out any major flaws and re-spray with the urethane. I got Dupont "2K Urethane". Keep me informed on this thread, and I'll do the same if I run across any problems, or super good tips.
Colors I pretty much gave up on insisting on original colors years ago . I'm rather partial to Desert Beige , this is a lighter Beige with a slight Rose tint to it , one must see it to believe how beautiful it is . As you're paying for it , choose the color that pleases you , not what's ' hip ' right now as hip colors have a way of pi$$ing you off in a year or so .
Your SUN BEIGE looks good and i think it will look good with black trim or even if you wanted also a 2nd color, that CREAM MEDIUM (3 below) would also look good as a trim. OR even just go with the CREAM MEDIUM. A guy in town had the one below - pics do not do it justice - it was a cream colored or maybe you'd call it beige and it was beautiful and got lots of compliments. Good luck! This was one of the hardest decisions for me to make on my truck.
The "Cream Medium" sample I looked at (vintage paint chip) had too much yellow in it for my tastes. I don't see that in the pics you posted, maybe it's just my monitor, or faded chips, or ??? But that's one sharp looking GMC. Thanks for posting it.
