Seeking Guidance. Please read. (LONG)

[jorgensensc]

Hey all, I 'm looking for some input from my friends here on the board. I've come to an empass that may require plan changes, so looking for input.
To start with I have this 68 short stepper that I have been stockpiling parts for. I have everything needed, and have disassembled for paint.. to a point. I really need to paint and reassemble. The original idea was to paint it flat black with gloss red dash and Red steel wheels and spidercaps with 3" wide whitewalls and red/white pinstripe, and Mexican blanket seat cover. Here she sits now....

Now my wife got me this awesome 47-53 chevy truck and now comes the dilemma. As good as it looks in the pics, it still needs work. More work than my 68 requires at this point. I will not start another project until my 68 is complete.

Here is the question:
I have been told that painting the '68 flat black with Wide Whitewalls red steelies with spidercaps would look okay, but doesn't really fit the truck. I know that if I do an s10 conversion on the 53 that the red steelies will work. I already have the Hot Rodz Flat Black paint and I know that would look good on the 53. Should I just get the 68 painted a regular basecoat/clearcoat and throw some Nice wheels and tires on it and save the Flat black and red steelies for the 53, or should I stick to my original plan? It won't really cost me much (wheels and paint) to change my mind at this point. And I would already have the paint and wheels for the 53 when the time comes to fix that one up. The quicker I get my 68 put back together.. the quicker I get to start on the 53! I know everyone always says : It's your truck.. do what makes you happy. But this time I'm actually looking for real opinions. No offense will be taken. THanks for the advice and opinions everyone!
Shawn

[cdowns]

i got tired of flat black paint many years ago and in the long run i think it tends to devalue a vehicle

[Riveted1]

I think the 53 looks sweet like it is. I like the flat black/ red steelies look and the 53 WOULD represent it much better. But, I think the rat rod look has been over done. At one point, I was thinking of doing the same thing to my truck, but after going to a few car shows and seeing how many others had done the same thing, I changed my mind.
Basically, it comes down to this, what do you feel inside? You know you are leaning one way or the other! Go with your gut feeling and don't look back!

[Premium72]

yeah the flat black is played the hell out!!. an the red steelies is worse. you can paint other colors flat as well other than black. i would paint the 67 a gloss color and do the 53 a flat color...i painted my 49 this flat green an white, the wheels where already painted the orange when i got it. and they were pretty distressed and it was kinda the look i was goin for without doing any work.. i like the look of it.

[72BlckButy]

Cast my vote.... I tend to get tired of the flat look after a while. I actually love the blue on the 53 though, but there wasn't the option to keep the 53 color as is...

[short step]

i would drive the 53 (it looks great the way it is) and work on the 68.
it doesnt look good in flat black,but thats my take.
jump to the photo shop forum and ask someone to do what u are thinking, and then decide
bob

[corn]

I would flat black the 68 with nicer wheels & leave the 53 as is & go with the steel wheels on it. Ill argue the flat black arguments of the others. For a cheap one color vehicle, I still like it.

[chrislehr]

Oh wow - did you buy that FROM OLD NAVY???

[jorgensensc]

Yes the 53 is from OLD NAVY. As good as it looks, there are no guts in there. It is just a shell to start with.

[chrislehr]

Originally Posted by jorgensensc

Yes the 53 is from OLD NAVY. As good as it looks, there are no guts in there. It is just a shell to start with.

Figured. I always wondered if the ones in the stores were real or just a plastic/CF mock up for marketing purposes. Didnt want to go mess with it and get yelled at. Very cool find. How much did you get it for if you dont mind me asking?

[Palf70Step]

Guess I am not the only one that feels neither should be flat black. The 53 is great as is as far as a paint scheme. The 68 paint it for real. Most do not impress me. I think about the only flat blacks I really like are dubie's mutt (GMC Flatbed) and LonghornMans Longhorn. And both of those are more satin, than flat, plus they have something to set off all that unshiney black.

[jorgensensc]

Originally Posted by chrislehr

Figured. I always wondered if the ones in the stores were real or just a plastic/CF mock up for marketing purposes. Didnt want to go mess with it and get yelled at. Very cool find. How much did you get it for if you dont mind me asking?

Lets just say if you multiply the amount I paid by 20,000, then the answer would be zero.

[slammed1]

I say get a color you like and have a primer tinted the same color or use a sealer in a color you want. Im not a fan of the flat black either because of all the rattle can flat black jobs I have seen ruins it for the ones who actually spend time getting a really straight body then do the same flat black.

My truck had a tinted green primer and it was actually pretty slick,and if needed I could go to the car wash with a scotch brite pad.

[slammed1]

nice job getting an OldNavy truck.

If you could shed some light on an item I would appreciate it........alot of people say that the frames were cut in half so that they could be taken into stores and then bolted back together.......is your frame cut in half and bolted back together right behind the cab or right at the bed??

pictures would be great.

[70short/step]

You already have the flat black paint and you can have the 68 going before the 53. Flat Black is as old as Hot Rodding is so it will never go out of style. But since you are asking everyone's input, I would do the 68 Flat Black and would leave the paint alone on the 53. I mean how many out there have an "Old Navy" truck?

[corn]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Guess I am not the only one that feels neither should be flat black. The 53 is great as is as far as a paint scheme. The 68 paint it for real. Most do not impress me. I think about the only flat blacks I really like are dubie's mutt (GMC Flatbed) and LonghornMans Longhorn. And both of those are more satin, than flat, plus they have something to set off all that unshiney black.

LonghornMan, Post up a pic of yours will ya? Dont think Ive seen it...

[Palf70Step]

Corn,
This is one of Andy's Longhorn..sorta old but only one I could find quickly

Now back to our threads regualrly scheduled programming.

[Longhorn Man]

here's mine... semi-gloss black




if the money is there, put real paint on it. my 10 cents

[CG]

What are your plans for the trucks when done? Thats how I would base my decisions.

[jorgensensc]

Originally Posted by slammed1

nice job getting an OldNavy truck.

If you could shed some light on an item I would appreciate it........alot of people say that the frames were cut in half so that they could be taken into stores and then bolted back together.......is your frame cut in half and bolted back together right behind the cab or right at the bed??

pictures would be great.

The frame wasn't cut in half. The truck actually still has the driveshaft. The fenders and running board were loosely bolted on. But to be honest we didn't have to remove anything to get it out of the Mall. Just took the big metal rack looking thing off and wheeled it right out. Maybe other stores had to cut the frame, but not this one.
Shawn

[weasel29gm]

Sure flat has been around forever,as every other paint and style. In my area its seems its who can lay the slickest or spend the most. Thats why I decided to flat. Now the interior is slick, new chrome, ralleys thats right '' gray or silver '' not red. The goal is lookin' for a slick paint job when I can afford it but never doin' it. The rattle and roll jobs don't cut it. Plus some other features that should set it apart from others around here. Not old school... just new shop!!!! I think you guys will like it. With all that said, leave the "53 as is and flat the '68....

[Palf70Step]

Shawn

I just told my wife and daughter to keep a close eye out at our Old Navy. They might be able to get dad an appropriate birthday/Christmas present. I said it would definitely top the T-shirt idea

Andy I guess you and I think on the same time wave

[Longhorn Man]

i did mine becouse I was sickof the circuise wagon/welfare lookin POS, I had little to no money, and it was all there already. The fact that it was 'in' only contributed slightly. As someone at work kinda pointed out, mine is more 'rat rod' than most of the ones you see. It is screwed and glued with what ever I could get my hands on, most everything done was for function, not form, and the result is a safe(ish) fast(ish) dependable(ish) POS that is worth very little.

[Botietruck]

Old Navy is getting rid of those trucks and their giving them away. Just talked to 2 store managers here in VA. and just missed out on one. The lucky guy is coming by tomorrow to pick it up!

Better check your local Old Navy Store...you might get lucky!

[corn]

Who cares what other people think. They are your trucks, paint them however you want...