Trim Restoration - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 04-26-2004, 12:13 PM

I've got both upper and lower trim on my '69 GMC. The trim is in perfect condition - even to my eye and I'm picky.

BUT, the black paint on the trim is faded. Has anyone repainted their trim? What kind of paint do you use? What do you use to mask the trim?

Pilgrim · 04-26-2004, 12:28 PM

I used blue masking tape from hardware store and semi-gloss black spray for the trim on my 68. I also did the grill on my 69 the same way.

Ruckus · 04-26-2004, 01:28 PM

I forget the name, and I can't find it around here, but it was a black "textured" paint- got it at the hardware store....used it a couple years ago on my motorcycle in a couple of accent areas and has held up well and still looks good. Used it again recently on some trim for my truck- again, came out looking good. Just used some "paint" masking tape. The success of your job is in how carefully you mask. Good luck

BobbyK · 04-26-2004, 03:24 PM

I'm a little picky myself.When I tried to paint my trim I just couldn't get it to where I was happy with it.

I ended up stripping off the paint and useing black "tack" paper.
I cut it into the appropriate sized strips and stuck it on.
It doesn't scratch or dull and best off if it get's dammaged I can just stick on a new strip.

MeanGreenMachine · 04-26-2004, 03:41 PM

Hmmm... I must admit that your "tack" job does look good.

bluec10 · 04-26-2004, 03:47 PM

If it doesn't fade or peel, it seems like a good idea.

It does look good.

Where do you get it and how much does it cost?

sactoC10 · 04-26-2004, 04:29 PM

Another good thing about using tape is that you can get creative with the color rather easily if you wanted to divert from the stock black. Most large autoparts stores have some sort of "blackout" tape that could be used.

I've used tape or colored vinyl on many projects. I just go to the local sign shop, select a color and tell them how much I want. It usually is cut off of a 12-14" roll. Just get a straight edge and an exacto knife or razor blade and the results can be just GREAT.

Painting is appropriate to at times, I just like the super clean edge I can get with tape and vinyl.

barn9 · 04-26-2004, 04:32 PM

A guy at a car show a few years ago told me about using a Sharpie to do the fine lines on the upper trim, and it does a pretty good job. It does fade over time if it's in the sun, but it's pretty easy to do it again, just takes a steady hand and the Sharpie.

nu2-72 · 04-26-2004, 10:42 PM

I used to detail the sill plates on my Corvette just before judges came around with a black felt marker. Looked shiny and wet for a long time. But this was interior stuff.

BobbyK · 04-28-2004, 11:51 PM

I got the black "tack" paper at my local Orchard Hardware and Supply.
It's just "shelf paper" you'd find at just about any local hardware store.
I'm VERY happy with the results.:p

Jemost 72 · 04-29-2004, 02:25 AM

On my former truck, I used a roll of black pin stripe on the upper trim. Made it look new for under $5.

04-26-2004, 12:13 PM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Trim Restoration I've got both upper and lower trim on my '69 GMC. The trim is in perfect condition - even to my eye and I'm picky. BUT, the black paint on the trim is faded. Has anyone repainted their trim? What kind of paint do you use? What do you use to mask the trim? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

04-26-2004, 12:28 PM	#2
Pilgrim Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Crescent City, FL Posts: 492	I used blue masking tape from hardware store and semi-gloss black spray for the trim on my 68. I also did the grill on my 69 the same way. __________________ Bob 68 C20 Camper Special

04-26-2004, 01:28 PM	#3
Ruckus Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 127	I forget the name, and I can't find it around here, but it was a black "textured" paint- got it at the hardware store....used it a couple years ago on my motorcycle in a couple of accent areas and has held up well and still looks good. Used it again recently on some trim for my truck- again, came out looking good. Just used some "paint" masking tape. The success of your job is in how carefully you mask. Good luck __________________ 1971 GMC LWB 350/350--SOLD 1970 Chevy LWB 350/350--SOLD 2000 VW VR6!

04-26-2004, 03:24 PM	#4
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	I'm a little picky myself.When I tried to paint my trim I just couldn't get it to where I was happy with it. I ended up stripping off the paint and useing black "tack" paper. I cut it into the appropriate sized strips and stuck it on. It doesn't scratch or dull and best off if it get's dammaged I can just stick on a new strip. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

04-26-2004, 03:41 PM	#5
MeanGreenMachine Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 30	Hmmm... I must admit that your "tack" job does look good. __________________ MeanGreenMachine - 1972 Cheyenne Super 402

04-26-2004, 03:47 PM	#6
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	If it doesn't fade or peel, it seems like a good idea. It does look good. Where do you get it and how much does it cost? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

04-26-2004, 04:29 PM	#7
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,055	Another good thing about using tape is that you can get creative with the color rather easily if you wanted to divert from the stock black. Most large autoparts stores have some sort of "blackout" tape that could be used. I've used tape or colored vinyl on many projects. I just go to the local sign shop, select a color and tell them how much I want. It usually is cut off of a 12-14" roll. Just get a straight edge and an exacto knife or razor blade and the results can be just GREAT. Painting is appropriate to at times, I just like the super clean edge I can get with tape and vinyl.

04-26-2004, 04:32 PM	#8
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	A guy at a car show a few years ago told me about using a Sharpie to do the fine lines on the upper trim, and it does a pretty good job. It does fade over time if it's in the sun, but it's pretty easy to do it again, just takes a steady hand and the Sharpie. __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

04-26-2004, 10:42 PM	#9
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	I used to detail the sill plates on my Corvette just before judges came around with a black felt marker. Looked shiny and wet for a long time. But this was interior stuff. __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

04-28-2004, 11:51 PM	#10
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,772	I got the black "tack" paper at my local Orchard Hardware and Supply. It's just "shelf paper" you'd find at just about any local hardware store. I'm VERY happy with the results.:p __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

04-29-2004, 02:25 AM	#11
Jemost 72 Southern Bowties Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 240	On my former truck, I used a roll of black pin stripe on the upper trim. Made it look new for under $5. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne 350/350



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