What about “fixing” the patina

[Abomb]

I’m torn, I think I could make the truck look much better, but I also think “it can only look this way with age”...Should I try to improve the patina, or just leave it be...What do you all think?

How it looks now







How I wish it looked, and I am confident I can pull it off, and blend it in...



So, what would you do, leave it as is...not original obviously, but untouched for nearly 40+ years I’m sure, or do you try to “improve” it?

[68bowtie]

That’s a unique weathered look, I would suggest leaving it alone. Seems like that’s your instinct anyway maybe. The blue swoosh’s are a bit of an odd fit.

[special-K]

It's ready for an easy good paint job or leave it be. If I left it as is, I'd blend the white back on the door and fender then give it a good weathered logo.

[Grumpy old man]

Here's a nice fix for the patina .

[morepwr]

Great looking truck Grumpy!

As far as the patina goes, mine is that way and until I am ready to actually paint the whole truck, I am just driving it as is. Nothing wrong with the patina look.

[joeydurango]

I like the additional red... but the blue swooshes, not so much. If I had the skills and your truck, I'd probably do the hood/roof as you've shown, and put some stylized old-school logo on the door from one of my past, present, or future businesses.

Sweet truck!

[HO455]

Hot roding like many things has trends and eras. Which when mixed and matched don't always work well together. Nostalgia works when it reminds people of their past.
By adding the swooshes and making them look like they are original you are trying to add 1950's hot rodder paint to a 1967 truck. They look out of place since they were out of style in 67. My suggestion is if you like the 50's hot rod look trade your sweet step side for a pre-1960 truck and go for it.
Taking a small foreign car and stuffing a V-8 in and a straight axle under it was a popular hot rodding trend in the 50-60's. As time went past this trend when away but has become a popular theme to recreate unless you step out of era. It is still the same basic idea but, just looks wrong.
Now this is an extreme example but it explains my opinion.

[Abomb]

While I appreciate a nicely finished vehicle as much as the next guy, this one won’t be getting a complete paint job anytime soon, as it will be my daily driver, and parked at a grain elevator 5 days a week...

Here’s my non-daily driver, so you can see I have nothing against fresh paint...it’s not done yet either, but I’m slowly picking away at it...I sort of have automotive ADHD I guess.

Oh, and I totally get the mixing of era’s, I guess the scallops were more of a doodle than anything...mostly I’m considering fixing up the red and white...

[HO455]

Do you know what the truck was originally painted for? It reminds me of an early square body the local Chevron station had back in the day.

[Abomb]

Originally Posted by HO455

Do you know what the truck was originally painted for? It reminds me of an early square body the local Chevron station had back in the day.

Well, the green is from the Kansas forestry and wildlife dept., that’s where the truck went when brand new, then it belonged to Carr Auto Electric, in Larned Ks...you can still see the remains of the lettering on the doors, and above the rear glass...So, it’s definitely a legit former shop truck, it’s just that some previous owner sanded the lettering off for the most part....

[OARNGESI]

I wouldn’t touch it unless you do a complete respray

[CG]

I like both looks. To me the new design you have on your mind doesn't look scalopy, it looks like something a truck painted for a business might have had with just a little extra flair in the design. But we all have our opinions =)

If nothing else go for the white wheels and see how you like the look. Easy cheap change.

[67swb72klb]

8" Steel wheels would do it justice..

[67_C-30]

I’m not feeling the swoosh at all, but it’s not my truck. I do like the idea of white rims and 8” steelies on the rear.

[Coley]

You have a good initial look for the patina...and it clearly your choice.
For me, I would:
1) NOT add those paint embellishments along the bottom....too 1970's/80's for me
2) Clear coat it to make the patina really 'pop'.
3) Paint those steelies white like you've shown
4) Go to a whitewall tire....the black tires are too dark and lose contrast within the whole appearance, while the whitewalls would draw attention because of the contrast they generate by showing black/white/black/white and then the truck body....hopefully that makes sense.

That's my two bits....but hey, its your truck.
All good
Coley

[Coley]

Oh....a couple more quick follow ups:
-Change over to a rear sport bumper and store the step bumper...it currently isn't complimenting the truck in my opinion.
-Find a way to add some mint, minor brightwork on the side somewhere or make sure both bumpers are new/chrome.
Patina, in my opinion is not necessarily dull....and it relies heavily on some items being perfect and some appearing weathered but very apparent and appealing...hence the concept of 'clear coating' worn paint to make it shiny.

All Good
Coley

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Coley

Oh....a couple more quick follow ups:
-Change over to a rear sport bumper and store the step bumper...it currently isn't complimenting the truck in my opinion.
-Find a way to add some mint, minor brightwork on the side somewhere or make sure both bumpers are new/chrome.
Patina, in my opinion is not necessarily dull....and it relies heavily on some items being perfect and some appearing weathered but very apparent and appealing...hence the concept of 'clear coating' worn paint to make it shiny.

All Good
Coley

Opinions are like bellybuttons as they say, but I personally am not a fan of clear coated patina at all. To me, it totally misses the point. The dull, weathered paint, with either refreshed or new wheels. I do like freshened up bumpers, trim, and other bits to have some contrast, but the clear coat has always been a no-go for me.

Of course, like I said, my opinion and like $4 will buy you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

[Abomb]

If I would clear it, it would be satin clear, dripping wet patina looks wrong to me...however, after getting frustrated trying to get the brakes working decent, by myself, which is pretty much a no go since I don’t have a vacuum bleeder...I noticed a bottle of heavy duty rubbing compound on a shelf... I hand rubbed some spots to see what would come back, and I think for now I’m going to buff the poop out of it and reevaluate the situation....

[Abomb]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

I’m not feeling the swoosh at all, but it’s not my truck. I do like the idea of white rims and 8” steelies on the rear.

Love your 68, it did get me thinking about 8 inch rear wheels...if I hit the salvage yard, what years and vehicles would be most likely to have 8 “ steel wheels?

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

I wouldn’t touch it unless you do a complete respray

This ^^^ Drive and enjoy it. Save your money until you can afford a nice paint job. To me patina is a weathered original paint scheme.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Abomb

Love your 68, it did get me thinking about 8 inch rear wheels...if I hit the salvage yard, what years and vehicles would be most likely to have 8 “ steel wheels?

The most common vehicle to get the 8" steelies are '84-'86 Military CUCV Blazers, but they came on lot's of 70's and 80's 4WD trucks and Blazers.

Sadly, somebody wanted the '68 more than I did, so its gone. I need to update my sig and picture!

[Abomb]

Maybe just a good buffing and a touch up of the white is the way to go...the sanded doors really bug me

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

That’s a unique weathered look, I would suggest leaving it alone. Seems like that’s your instinct anyway maybe. The blue swoosh’s are a bit of an odd fit.

I did something like that on a 67 Falcon. Figured it would help cause I wanted to get rid of the rust. I hated it afterwards.

Get some McQuires wax, try it. If you dont like it you can always do the paint thing later. PS the color scheme makes it what it is now, I kinda really like the Americana thing right now but thats just me.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Abomb

Maybe just a good buffing and a touch up of the white is the way to go...the sanded doors really bug me

That looks great! I agree about the sanded doors. If the logo was weathered (no matter what it was) I would have left it, but I didn't for them being sanded away.

[HO455]

Nice shoebox too!