VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans '37 1/2 ton Interior Color

Where can I find the interior color specs for a '37 1/2 ton.

What was painted?

My truck seems to have a covering of sorts in the top of the interior. Does this sound stock?

I'm not aware of a reference that shows the paint code for the interior paint. The paint is (or was) sold by the Filling Station, Jim Carter's and maybe others. The covering referred to, is likely "wrinkle paint", which is how these were delivered from the factory. The vendors referenced, sell that too. When I restored my '37, I decided to match the brown color; but without the wrinkle. I took a piece of the garnish moulding to a local auto body paint supplier for a color match. Most of the wrinkle was worn off already and others advised duplicating the finish was a hassle with at best limited acceptable results. I may redo it at some point. The garnish moulding, dash, visor header, door panels, metal behind and above the seat are brown. The interior firewall was apparently not painted, as delivered; at least on this one.

All 1937 Chevrolet trucks were painted the same color inside - brown wrinkle paint straight from the factory, no matter what the outside color was.

Carter makes or used to make an interior paint for 37-38, but to wrinkle it you have to apply heat afterwards, and it just doesn't want to wrinkle evenly--it's a real pain. Eastwood used to have both black and brown spray can wrinkle, which worked really well, but it has discontinued the brown and only carries black.

In my continuing search (I'm currently restoring a 38 panel) I have found a pretty close match. Rustoleum makes a texture/wrinkle paint which is not exactly like the original wrinkle, but VERY close. The closest color is called AUTUMN BROWN, and it dries very close to the original--I would say it's a bit brighter, but pretty close. Give it a try--I don't think you will find a better combination of color match and wrinkle and ease of application.

Good luck!

Jim

Thank you all for the information.

As I am a newbie, can you help me understand what the garnish molding is?

At this point in time, I think I will avoid the wrinkle as I am nowhere near a concourse restoration.

The interior appears to have been painted at least two different times. One is a black which appears to be peeling EVERYWHERE (under dash, visor mount, etc) The second paint is on the dash and door interiors and it is similar to a royal blue.

The covering I was talking about appears to be an attempt to put in a headliner? I will get some pictures posted.

I am looking to paint the interior as a one of many steps toward making it driveable, so the color isn't the first priority at this time. But I figured if I was going to go through the effort of cleaning it up and painting it, original would be the best bet. I am having troubles finding the paint on either the Carter or Filling Station websites, anyone have part numbers?

I have ordered my catalogs.

Thanks again.

A "garnish moulding" is the frame that goes around each window.

Thanks JYD!

I 'll check to see if I've got paint code info for the stuff the auto body paint supplier mixed to match the brown on my '37. It should be close to the original allowing for the years the original was exposed to the sun and other factors.

The paint that Carter and Filling Station carry will be the correct shade of brown, and if you don't want to wrinkle it, you can simply use the paint and skip the application of heat. But since you said you wanted to stick close to original (even though not concourse), I would still recommend the Rustoleum Autumn Brown. The paint is certainly high enough quality, it's easy to apply (rattle can), and you have the added bonus of being VERY close to the original color and texture.

Your truck, your choice, but this is a pretty simple and accurate solution.

Justin
I found the paint they mixed for me. Unfortunately, when the P&B guys poured it to use paint dripped and covered about 1/3 of the code label. If, it will help I can take it into the paint supplier in the coming days and have him re-figure the code he used.

37Blue,

Thank you for the offer. I am a few months off from actually painting. If you have the opportunity to get the paint code, I am certain I wouldn't be the only one to use find the information helpful.

Thanks again,

The headliner is a very stiff cardboard. They are sold by Jim Carter. Not easy to install but with patience can be done.

Justin
Yes. I'll try to get over to the paint supplier in the coming days. I'll post the info. Please, be mindful though that the code will be based on the brown paint (wrinkle) that was some 70 years old, thus subjected to wear, no doubt a variety of cleaning agents and other environmental factors.

What is the original color of the headliner and the piece around the rear window? Mine has been painted black...

Jmmmmn37,

I really appreciate the suggestion. I will look into this options as well.

Thanks!

The card board is brown, same as the other interior parts. Including the cardboard kick panels.

Some, me included, have had horrible results with the cardboard headliner installation. The sharp curves in the rear corners and sides, despite moistening with alcohol, as was suggested tended to wrinkle and crease. I understand some have tried moistening the piece and draping it over the exterior of the cab to dry and more closely conform to the curves needed. That method may be worth a try? After two failed attempts the other way, and ruined liners, I punted and went with the ABS version. It still needed some trimming, but the finished result was more than acceptable. It did need painted, as it came in black.

Was the cardboard just untreated brown cardboard?

No, it was more like a super thick laminated paper about 1/8 inch or so thick. The vendors that sell the headliners also sell these.

Jim Carter is now offering exact match powder for the interior of the '36 (low roof), '37 and '38 trucks. The powder was matched to an interior moldings back side.
I provided the sample. It came from Sam Russell's '38 series HE 1 ton truck (see his avatar). It was pristine on the back side and it appears they did an excellent job matching it.
I will be using this powder on a project soon and will report the results here. It has been used on a truck in Minnesota and the owner was very pleased.
Glove box door, instrument panel and bolts, windshield wiper panel, door panels, door upper front and rear moldings and trim clips, ribbed strip moldings above and behind door, rear inner cab panel (surrounds back glass), inner cab corner panels, and panels above and beside windshield should all have this color.

Mike

Mike
Do I understand correctly that the new product would be used as a powder coating? If, so that would be a labor saving advancement, IMHO!

Yes,
Powder coating powder is now available from Jim Carter, and possibly other vendors, for '36 (low roof), '37 and '38 Chevy trucks. I do not know if GMC used the same interior finish.

Mike

What color was the original headliners?

Brown.