I am changing parts of my interior in my 72 Cutlass from the current blue to black. What do you guys recommend for painting the metal parts of the dash? I'm talking the section between the dash pad and the window and below the dash pad above your feet. Should it be a flat black, semi-gloss or something else? Also is there a recommended paint code or brand?

Thanks.

 

It looks like a black crinkle to me and if you painted it it may diminish the crinkle effect. My car has a spot where the paint came off and will need to be repainted some time in the future as well. I hope we hear from some restorers about this issue. The finish looks between a matte finish and a semi gloss.

 

Do you have your assembly manual? I just repaired my lower windshield channel, the dash color is listed in the assembly manual but if its black its black ( the metal PARTS) I painted the top of the dash using a ppg single stage urethane, and had to add a flattening agent, the firewall I used a ppg product that was called satin finish, but the dash itself is suppose to be flat on top satin on the bottom side say from the vents on down, I am not sure you mean the metal parts and I am not certain on a 72 mine is a 69, I am also not sure how much you are disassembled?


I used ppg dcc urethane for the dash with about a 50% flattening agent mix


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if you windshield is still in, I would probably look at the spray can route something in a matte black. I don't know if SEM makes this I suspect they do

 

I think he means the metal that runs above the lower AC vents and below the radio--runs the entire length of the lower ac vents/molding. Like I mentioned before, the finish is like a crinkle finish, if you run your finger over it it's got texture. Can take a photo later

 

It's not "crinkle". It is simply flat paint that feels rough. The dash was painted with flat paint to prevent glare at night.

 

That's good info to know. I have not started the resto on my '70 pace car but am collecting info for when I start soon. That "crinkle" paint was bothering me and it's good to know i can just rough it up and hit it with flat black. Learn something new everyday

 

Thanks for the info. I was talking about the metal around the defrost vents as well as the metal between the radio and a/c vents under the dash.

Can the area below the windshield around the defrost vents be painted without removing the windshield? It looks pretty tight and I was leaning towards removing the window.

 

The area under the windshield (which you will not be able to paint without removing the glass) is flat. The metal on the bottom of the dash is semi-gloss. Both are listed in the sheet I posted above.

 

Further to what Joe said, You can buy the single stage urethane in the correct color, I used PPG I bought the single stage urethane in the right color the product was DCC Acrylic Urethane, I also had to buy the catalyst and Reducer, it isn't cheap and there are other solutions for black, like their ESS fleet line, I would then mix in a flattening agent, I am doing that now I painted the dash and now from the vents down I will apply a little more gloss, this will allow you to say buy a quart of black and be able to use it for gloss, semi gloss, satin and flat black without having to buy a bunch of different paints, just by changing the formulae.


I would have the windshield pull if there is any suspicion of the condition, I pulled mine because I had some scratches and what I thought was discoloration and possible a little delaminating, what I found under there was scary in the amount of corrosion,


To do the dash you really only need about a pint, but the cost difference between a qt and pint isn't that much at the end of the day, black you will use all day long one way or another, especially if your going to do a resto.


AS for painting in the car you could but it will be time consuming in taping, you wont get the lower channel, and you will need to mask everything!!!! for just a quick sprucing up should be ok, with a spray can .. as long as your ok with that In my opinion

 

Damn Joe you have the real deal manuals LOL, I have a copy and my sheet was missing LOL
nice