1972 GMC paint ideas

[meangreen72gmc]

In the process of restoring my 72 k2500 and its about time to be deciding on paint. I want it to be different and stand out but also keep it simple at the same time. I am thinking of going white with all trim and accessories black. Bumpers grille door handles emblems and mirrors. Anybody seen this done? Pictures? Thoughts? Ideas? to avoid ruining decent chrome pieces I might make a "test run" with plasti dip since it will peel off.

[HeavyD]

The plasti dip is a good idea since you can easily reverse it if the look isn't right. Since you asked, my opinion is it will look like the million work trucks i see at my job everyday. Every one is white with black trim. Of course its your truck and if that looks good to you then great. I like old vehicles because of the chrome, and think it looks sharp against nice white paint. I worked at an auto paint store for a short while and saw so many cool colors, particularily a very bright gold i thought was beautiful. Many dont like gold, but this was really bright and how often do you see gold? Just an idea

[Orangetonicclicc]

There's this paint called"Night Shade" it's actually what guys paint on there lenses. But if you paint it on chrome it makes it look like black chrome. I actually bought some and tested it on an extra air filter cover I had. I was really impressed! I bought it at Advanced Auto. Aerosol can, about $14.00. It's a risky look but if done right it could look great. Too much black in white and it would take it some other place. But well placed highlights and it would be awesome! I put a lot of chrome in my motor and now it seems over the top, that's why I was experimenting with the NightShade to mix it up some. But my hood will be closed when I driving so it won't look too gottie.

[special-K]

I see a '90s look on a '70s truck. If you want something different, yet guaranteed to stand the test of time, chose a factory color you don't see your truck in. All these trucks "POP" when restored. Look at the '72 K/20 for sale in the Trucks For Sale section and see what you think. It's white with a black interior. Sounds plain,right? Go have a look

[ho70]

chrome and white look sweeeeeeet.......just sayin

[meangreen72gmc]

See im the opposite! I hate too much chrome and I'm trying too get rid of it all. If we all had the same tastes it would be a hell of a boring world. My main concern is the Grille area and I'm worried about that being too much in one area. And yeah I've looked at many different colors and ideas and white has just stuck with me so far. Simple but when paired with black trim pieces I think it will make the truck pop and give it a mean look.

[67swb72klb]

I like the white also and the GM white is nice and bright..

[farmallboy15]

I have a 70 k2500 check out my avatar. Personally, I love the metallic gold and white two tone (original paint for the most part). Just an option!

[meangreen72gmc]

Yeah that gold looks pretty sharp! Like your collection too!

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by special-K

If you want something different, yet guaranteed to stand the test of time, chose a factory color you don't see your truck in. All these trucks "POP" when restored.

Agreed - I'd consider a seldom seen two-tone combo from the OEM pallet. White/light (525) yellow and white/black come to mind.

[davepl]

If he wants a 1980s monochrome or dechromed look, all the stock colors in the world won't matter. Having lived long enough to be through too much chrome (Hello, 1950s excess), no chrome (Hello, '70 Chevelle with Purple Bumpers), white everything (Hello, Pontiac Transport), black everything (Hello, Grand National) I tend to gravitate back to stock.

It'd be pretty hard to do something that hasn't been done before by repeating older fads and trends, but then these whole trucks are in a way an older fad or trend anyway, so who are we to complain?

Just remember when you build it for yourself no one else will pay for it. I see a lot of custom vehicles get snubbed at auction, and I'm sure the owner was heartbroken that no one else shared his vision, but that's the price of custom.

[kcsa75]

Why don't you post some photos on the Photoshop page and ask someone to mock up what you have in mind?

[68shortwide]

Originally Posted by davepl

Having lived long enough to be through too much chrome (Hello, 1950s excess), no chrome (Hello, '70 Chevelle with Purple Bumpers), white everything (Hello, Pontiac Transport), black everything (Hello, Grand National) I tend to gravitate back to stock.

See I'm young, there were no cool cars the year I was born (1997) I'm jealous of all y'all. I still really want a gnx. Lol the black is what makes it cool. It stood out, and that's what the op wants. Imho the coolest truck I've seen was a 67/8 white short step with black trim and black wheels, dropped to the ground. It looked b*tchin, I can't post pics from my phone or I would.

[meangreen72gmc]

I was born in 95 but I've always loved this style of truck. And that sounds exactly like what I'm goin for except for way up high instead of dropped. Can you send pics through email or text? If so pm me

[meangreen72gmc]

Kcsa75- I honestly didn't know there was something like that on here! I'll take a swing at that

[meangreen72gmc]

Thanks to some help from Scorp over on the Photoshop board I got to see a preview of my idea. Check it out at
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653000

[kcsa75]

Originally Posted by meangreen72gmc

Kcsa75- I honestly didn't know there was something like that on here! I'll take a swing at that

Glad I could help. I was born way before 1995 and when I first read your idea, I wasn't much of a fan, but after seeing the photos, I kind of like it.

[Nitis]

I can appreciate your original idea but I think that you could so any other color but white and it would look even nicer

I pondered a similar look with mine being yellow

[special-K]

If the grille and surround are dent free with good chrome I'd strongly suggest removing it and replacing with one with dulled chrome, light rust, or dings. The latter two are most common, inexpensive, and totally restorable considering they'll be painted...like any other body part. A good GMC grille is hard to find, sought after, and worth decent coin.

[meangreen72gmc]

Originally Posted by Nitis

I can appreciate your original idea but I think that you could so any other color but white and it would look even nicer

I pondered a similar look with mine being yellow

Yeah I considered other light colors like orange but idk there's still time to decide.

[meangreen72gmc]

Originally Posted by special-K

If the grille and surround are dent free with good chrome I'd strongly suggest removing it and replacing with one with dulled chrome, light rust, or dings. The latter two are most common, inexpensive, and totally restorable considering they'll be painted...like any other body part. A good GMC grille is hard to find, sought after, and worth decent coin.

yeah don't worry I'm not destroying a perfectly good grille. I'm planning on piecing 2 grilles together with damage on opposite sides and the chrome isn't great on either. Good thing is if I ever change my mind, my girlfriends dad works at a chrome/polishing shop. He said he could save me some $$$

[special-K]

That's good, cuz the cost of chroming one is prohibitive for most. It can be stupid expensive. I have a white '72 K2500 and the grille is dulled...and the p.o. used roofing staples to hold bug screen behind the openings. I removed all that and you only see the wholes up close. I have a perfect grille to replace it with, but in the mean time I have pondered painting it white...like the basic trucks had in 67/68 (and back). I'd still do the black accent and keep the surround chrome. It would look good I think.

[meangreen72gmc]

And if you decide not to do that I will gladly dispose of the grill with the tiny holes for you! That would save me some work on making one grill out of 2!

[special-K]

Sure thing. I've had the truck since '01 and the holes don't even bother me because you have to look close. They'd be easy to braze shut, just a whole buncha them. I don't have plans to restore till after I build my '67 shortbed, which will be quite some time it seems