62 impala dash color and gloss level

[Randy Maurstad]

doing a 62 with the aqua interior, matched to 918 exterior color.. dash color and 1/2 steering whheel is a contrasting secondary color (think the other 1/2 of the steering wheel is painted to match exterior)..anyone know how i can identify this secondart dark aqua color code etc.. I cant seem to locate it...or do I simply try to color match.. also.. what about gloss level on the dash ive seen both high gloss and about a 70% level.... thanks

[Tom Kochtanek]

Randy, good question. I had to redo my column when I changed over to the smooth-columned four speed, and had trouble matching the colors.

I started with an old interior color chart by GM which had the square inch colors. The local shop said they needed a bigger piece to match from. So I brought the automatic column in. They said it couldn't be a curved piece. Suggested the glove box. I brought in that long Aqua piece that butts up against the widnshield. We used that to match.

After two mixes we eventually got close, but not an exact match. I did note that the original dash did not match the original column (as you have noted). I never asked them about "finish" in terms of gloss, so I'm not sure there. I cleared mine anyway. I did note some "sparkles" in the original column, so we tried to get that in as well. I finally went with the second rattle can he mixed, put three coats on and cleared it.

Not perfect, but then mine is an "amateur restoration", not a "show" restoration. I am happy and moved on to screw other things up :).

You might ask guys like Phil Reed who do the faithful reproductions.

I will keep posted as other suggestions come in, and make comments when possible. I can share the color charts if you need them, they're somewhat hard to locate (at least for me). Good luck!

TomK

[hrlykngt]

Hey Tom did you paint the dash before or after the body? I was wondering what would be the best way. Also any tricks for removing all the paint in the corners and the actual guage assembly part?

[Ronnie Russell]

Another mystery. I have noticed that they steering column in my buddies 62 -4dr car does not match the dash . Sure its original. Whats the deal with that? I know we have a few members that bought their cars new, maybe they will comment. The question about gloss interests me too. I painted the dash in the last 61 Roman Red and it looked great, but too glossy? I dont know, I didnt get a chance to drive it, but it might have caused excessive glare.

[SS425HP]

Ronnie, as I remember, the 63 dash was the first to be semi-gloss. I think the 62 back was gloss. Won't swear to that, though. I have the same memory problems!!!!!!!!:cry

Fred

[gearhead409]

all the 62s i have are semi-gloss except the one that has a black dash, it's high-gloss. they are all ss impalas. i think the biscaynes and belairs were more likly to have had high-gloss painted dashes. the steering columns didn't match very well. most noticeable on the red ones. if you find a good guy that can color match well at your paint store, DON't forget who he is and treat him well, they don't come along very often!

[Tom Kochtanek]

Harley: You've got a PM!

Best,
TomK

[Randy Maurstad]

actually i was just going to match....i have some good pieces, car was under cover for about 20 years so i have some good dash paint..i feel better now, that i wasnt missing something.. thanks..

[4onthefloor]

I just sent aan ashtray from my 64 to Autocolor Library in California to match....they still sell lacquer and they can still do something similar to the "suede" additives they used to use on dashes...64 was very flat...