How can i make my interior heater box look factory? pics of yours?

[Drewski23]

Hello,

My box needs something done with it, i was thinking semi gloss black but im pretty sure they came factory unpainted..im not doing a 100 percent correct restoration so its ok but i just want a factory-ish look to it...curious what you all have done with yours

[FLDBRED]

I painted mine Glooss Black, and it came out nice.

[Tom Vogel]

If you wet sand it with fine sand paper and hit it with semi gloss clear, it will look brand new. Thats what I did on my 69.

[bobs409]

I believe they were painted from the factory. All the ones I ever saw were either a semi-gloss black or gloss black.

[Drewski23]

Interesting...ive now heard they were bare and ive heard they were painted...hoping someone can confirm...not a huge deal either way...would look fine black i guess
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[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by bobs409

I believe they were painted from the factory. All the ones I ever saw were either a semi-gloss black or gloss black.

Never ever seen one painted (that was stock and unmolested). Ill add that my first one of these trucks was bought new, so Ive been around. Not saying it didnt happen, just seen alot of them and all the unmolested ones were bare.

[71blksuper4x4]

Are you talking the one on the firewall in the engine compartment or the interior side? Trevor
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[Drewski23]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Are you talking the one on the firewall in the engine compartment or the interior side? Trevor
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Interior
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[leftybass209]

I have both a 69, metal style, and a 71, with the plastic. Both are original, never been hit with any aftermarket paint, and both are semi-gloss black. I don't know where people get that they aren't painted. A non painted box would be metallic colored and most likely rust colored from years of service. Neither of my heater boxes represent that. They have the same look that an electro dipped fender has.
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[Drewski23]

Originally Posted by leftybass209

I have both a 69, metal style, and a 71, with the plastic. Both are original, never been hit with any aftermarket paint, and both are semi-gloss black. I don't know where people get that they aren't painted. A non painted box would be metallic colored and most likely rust colored from years of service. Neither of my heater boxes represent that. They have the same look that an electro dipped fender has.
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interesting...i just assumed that the reason everyones are painted is because of the fact that they were bare and they would have been rusted out by now if not. Maybe some were and some werent? its not impossible i guess..ill be painting it semi gloss black though....thanks for the answers fellas.

[leftybass209]

Foot in my mouth! I am starting at the box of the 71 right now. Its not semi gloss black. It is a metallic charcoal grey. Still coated though. I may snap a pic when I get it whipped down better, for a more accurate photo.
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[leftybass209]

Here is the picture of the metal portion of a 71 heater box. You can see in the bottom right section some paint is scuffed away showing it is some kind of a coating.

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[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

Never ever seen one painted (that was stock and unmolested). Ill add that my first one of these trucks was bought new, so Ive been around. Not saying it didnt happen, just seen alot of them and all the unmolested ones were bare.

The metal ones were painted.

[Tom Vogel]

Ohhhh... Ok, you are talking about the lowest portion. I was talking about the diverted and portions that hold the evap and heater core.
As I recall, the lower in cab part is indeed a charcoal metallic paint. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
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