OEM paint method? How to tell if it is factory paint.

[gintaras]

I was told that my truck was a "survivor", original paint, etc...

But upon further inspection, i am not quite so sure about this, but the more I look, I question it.

Color is Dk Olive/White 2-tone. The truck only has 68k miles and was always stored indoors, no perforation rust, just one small area of surface rust on the passenger rocker.

The lines between the white and green, they are OK, but there is some bleeding in spots, is this what a factory job looks like?

even after thinking it couldnt be factory, I look closely for some transition lines near the rockers, under the hood, etc, and I can't find any, so now I am second guessing, maybe it is factory paint...

any tell-tale signs? the paint is not faded because it was wet-sanded and buffed before I bought it. Are the lines always smooth with no ridge? or is there a bit of a small ridge between the white and the color? Did they use tape at the factory for the 2-tone? what does the tape line look like at the wheel well? is it horizontal? or does it kind of go up at an angle as it (the tape) wraps around the corner?

[FIVE 0]

A trained eye can see the very small details that may have been missed on even the best repaints. If the truck has original paint it will have a ridge between the colors, this is because its single stage and not cleared. That in itself does not make it original. Pics of some of the things your talking about may help. The easiest way you could be sure is to go to a reputable paint shop, thats not talking you into a repaint, and get the painters opinion. Overspray in doorjambs, rubber, wheel wells, frame, etc. Again "if" it was repainted, the better the job, the harder it will be to detect. The one thing that is hardly ever removed is the vin plate on the in the door jamb on the drivers side. Look very close at it and it may tell you.

[70cst]

Another way is to look under the rubber seals. Sometimes these are just masked when painted so one might see the original paint under the rubber seals. Just an idea.

[gintaras]

did they use 2-sided tape on the trim back then? or was it strictly clips? I found that at least on the passenger side, there is 2-sided tape to suplement the clips. But even so, that doesn't necessarily mean it was painted.

aAnd speaking of the seals.. I looked, and looked, no overspray, I even pulled up on the seals and looked underneath and there are no lines.. I pushed up the rear window seal, still, no paint lines, only yellowed paint. As it stands, the white is bright, but I think that was brought out with the buff.

[MrGoodpliers]

Clips all they way through '70. '71-'72 use double sided tape type in the middle and bolt-on (usually) or push-in on the ends.

[WIDESIDE72]

Sounds original to me. If it looks good,personally I would not worry about original vs repaint, unless the seller is asking an exorbitant amount for it because it supposedly has original paint.

[primered_junk]

Another way to tell is the paint lines under the trim will not be straight. The doors will have a slight rise in the paint on the bottom color. Dont know why but most did. My 72 is a true one owner survivor, I purchased it from the original owner, who happened to own the dealership that sold the truck.

[gintaras]

Originally Posted by primered_junk

Another way to tell is the paint lines under the trim will not be straight. The doors will have a slight rise in the paint on the bottom color. Dont know why but most did. My 72 is a true one owner survivor, I purchased it from the original owner, who happened to own the dealership that sold the truck.

Thanks! Well that sums it up then.. the ironic thing is that because of these factory flaws, that is what led me to suspect the sellers claims..

Now, if you tell me that inside the doors, the 2 colors are not straight, then then my question has been answered, thanks again!

[Joesjunk]

Sounds like a great truck!! Lets see some pics!!! I love original paint!!!

[gintaras]

Here ya go, i will get some paint pics this weekend
(notice the previously mentioned "upward slanted tape line" in the wheel well.

[Joesjunk]

WOW, Nice suvivor!!!

[thirdstreettito]

Also, check if there is a grease pen writing on the top of the firewall, if not, it was either wiped off or painted over.

[special-K]

It sure is a nice Highlander.I see the lower trim on the fender front is riveted.

[gintaras]

Originally Posted by special-K

It sure is a nice Highlander.I see the lower trim on the fender front is riveted.

yeah, there is a small scrape there and the PO used screws to hold the trim down.

[special-K]

Oh,ok.
Shouldn`t the paint on the upper door be white on the inside?

[72highlander]

Originally Posted by special-K

Oh,ok.
Shouldn`t the paint on the upper door be white on the inside?

no, just the lip of the door skin itself should be white, just got through painting one for a guy and looked at a lot of trucks to make sure.

[va_tlc]

wow, regardless of a re-paint or not, thats 1 fine looking truck.and if it has been and your still looking to find the signs, he was one heck of a painter

[67CHIP72]

Agreed, fine looking truck in unbelievable condition! Where did you find it and when?

[OARNGESI]

Rteally nice truck i like the seat

[gintaras]

Originally Posted by 67CHIP72

Agreed, fine looking truck in unbelievable condition! Where did you find it and when?

Found it in Cleveland TX, courtesy of ebay, about a month ago

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

Rteally nice truck i like the seat

I like it too, but needs new foam, the drivers side is pretty well broken in.

[67CHIP72]

"I like it too, but needs new foam, the drivers side is pretty well broken in."


You might get by with an additional coil spring along the outside or some spring repair. I would take it to a good interior shop for suggestions and make sure nothing is broken first.

P.S. Have you checked behind the seat for the build sheet? If it is there, make sure they don't pitch it if you get the foam replaced(assuming you are not doing it yourself).

[special-K]

I stand corrected on the door paint.You have me looking hard.I saw somepictures painted white inside and can`t recall the ones I`ve had.No 2-tones at the moment.

My upholstery guy says when he does my seat like that he will add hardboard under the foam to stiffen the worn springs.He says you can`t flip them.I`m going to try that until I get it covered.I can`t stand sinking down in the seat.

[va_tlc]

wonder why the seat would be sagging so bad with the truck only having 68,000?that seems kinda strange, but im sure the weight of the driver plays into this,

[special-K]

That`s what I figure mine was,a big boy owned it.

[gintaras]

Originally Posted by va_tlc

wonder why the seat would be sagging so bad with the truck only having 68,000?that seems kinda strange, but im sure the weight of the driver plays into this,

It's not that bad, it just the corner has not much support, so when I drive it, I scoot towards the middle a little.. years or sliding in and out and putting pressure on the corner of the seat surely wore it a bit. It's not that bad really, just a little low on the far left side.