Tailgate Color?

[Quigley]

I was wondering what color to paint the GMC emblem and surround on my tailgate. If I remember right it was a faded silver color before the restoration. Am I thinking right? Its been awhile. ( truck is terrace blue) Thanks, Dave

[bigblockv6]

The color is basically an aluminum silver PPG number 8568, also called Non Smudge aluminum, GM called it argent silver. This color was used for many years by multiple GM divisions, wheels were also painted this color. GMC tailgate letters and back grounds were painted this color up to 1969.

[1960HDGMC]

Dave, I taped and painted my 1960 GMC Fleetside with this exact paint number. I had it mixed at the local auto paint shop. They put it in an aerosol can for me. 25bucks. I sprayed several light coats until it was evenly covered. No sealer,no nothing else. I touch it today and it does not smudge. It looks totally original. BTW,it reflects at night like a lazer. Very good safety idea. Later, GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here are a before and after. I wish I could get a good picture at night. It just looks light it is glowing when your headlights hit it. Almost like a special effect in the paint.

[1960HDGMC]

Here is a during picture. It demonstrates the taping job. It took a while to get the tape down. And I took my time spraying too. I let it dry completely between coats. Started first coat one evening, next coat next day. I think I got good coverage after three or four coats. Get the tape off as soon as the paint feels dry to the touch. If left on until the paint is fully cured, it can make a nightmare come true. Good luck with your project, GM

[bigblockv6]

Originally Posted by 1960HDGMC

Here are a before and after. I wish I could get a good picture at night. It just looks light it is glowing when your headlights hit it. Almost like a special effect in the paint.

The color has a very fine metallic in it so that's what gives it the effect at night.

[1960HDGMC]

You are right. The first time I pulled the car in at night and the headlights hit the tailgate, I was shocked at just how reflective this paint really is. It almost looks white in the daylight, but at night it looks like it is backlit with LEDs.

[bigblockv6]

Definitely better than painting them white, I see some paint them white because Chevrolet did theirs that way. By 1980 GMC no longer painted the letters or background in aluminum, they just used black, white or one of the two tone body colors like Chevrolet did, obviously it was an assembly line procedure, a sign that GMC trucks were assembled together with Chevrolet Trucks.

[bigblockv6]

Originally Posted by bigblockv6

Definitely better than painting them white, I see some paint them white because Chevrolet did theirs that way. By 1980 GMC no longer painted the letters or background in aluminum, they just used black, white or one of the two tone body colors like Chevrolet did, obviously it was an assembly line procedure, a sign that GMC trucks were assembled together with Chevrolet Trucks.

Sorry , I meant 1970 not 1980.

[Onuma]

I had no idea it should be Argent Silver, but that sounds like it could look great.

Obviously, my own truck's tailgate has seen better days...and was at least once the victim of some dumb kid with a rattle-can professing his love for his [probably now-ex-] girlfriend