VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans 46 Pickup Bed

Getting ready for the show season. We're the bed strips painted black along with the bed wood?

thanks.

The "floor" was painted black as a unit, then installed in the box sides.

Thanks. I've read some other posts and they all agree. Seems flat black is the most agreed to finish.

I do agree with black but not flat black. A commercial/industrial/equipment grade of paint was used. It was not high gloss or flat but much more glossy than flat. It is still used today to coat metal that requires corrosion protection but does not have an appearance requirement other than be all one color. Black is used because it has more UV resistance than other colors and the pigment costs less.

Many people may be confused by the fact that those grade paints tend to have the surface degrade in gloss much faster than higher quality coatings. So they will appear to be flat faster. If you desire we can discuss paint formulation chemistry.

Would the finish on POR15 coated steel be the level of gloss your taking about. It is not a high gloss but rather a gloss that is not mirror-like. Hard to explain. How does this compare with the AACA interpretation. I think they are in the 'flat' range. Are there any photos out there that would show how the original finish looked.

POR 15 is a completely different paint system. It is an aromatic polyurethane based paint. Though it is black it lacks UV resistance so dulls fairly quickly. It could be a good replacement for the original. It must either be top coated or used in areas that are not exposed to sunlight if the as applied look is to be maintained. Another alternative is alkyd based equipment paints.

I don't have any knowledge of the AACA standard or photos that would would accurately show the original surface.

I wasn't thinking of using POR 15, just trying to clarify the finish being glossy but not a high gloss. thanks for the help.

Part of the problem in recommending a paint or the amount of gloss is that it was constantly changing after it was applied at the factory. So for many people their observation would be of a rather dull or flat surface. Factory or sales/promotional photos would have the surface much glossier than as delivered. The Sales photos would have lighting and surfaces prepared to show the vehicle in its best and most photogenic condition.

I undertand. I'm going w/a chassis satin from eastwood. Has a bit of sheen but not to wet of a look. It may not be perfect but better than the present clear finished oak w/SS bed rails.
Thanks again.

The gloss would have been reduced some what due to the fact the paint had no primer under it. Also was applied to an unsanded rather poorly prepared surface. From my memory of the trucks new in the '50's the gloss was fairly high considering.