Who makes the best rattle cans for interior paint (1957 Cadillac)?

[Cadillac Jack 82]

All:

    Who makes the best matching rattle cans for interior paint on a 1957 Cadillac?  My dash has most of its paint however its rubbed off in a few spots and it doesn't look as nice as I'd like it.  I plan on replacing the dash pad here in the next few months and when its out...I'd like to repaint the lower dash.  Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Jon S]

I've used Tower Paint in the past (10 years ago), but most of the paints today are formulated differently to comply with Federal Regulations/Clean Air Standards.  They were excellent at matching to paint code:

http://www.apstowerpaint.com/

[Dan LeBlanc]

The original formulas for interior colours have not been maintained for some time by the vast majority of paint manufacturers.

That said, the best thing you can do is take a part down to an auto body supply shop, have them scan the colour, and mix it up in spray cans for you.  The quality of the nozzles on the cans is usually pretty good, so you get really good atomization.

Get them to mix it in basecoat.  Clear it with Eastwood's satin clear, and that will give you fairly close to the unpolished lacquer look.

http://www.eastwood.com/e-w-diamond-clear-satin-painted-surface-11-oz.html

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Thanks Dan but if I take it down to get it scanned I might as well have it professionally painted.  It shouldn't run more than a few hundred bucks.  I'd rather have it done properly so my interior looks nice

[Dan LeBlanc]

Well, the question was posed as a DIY question.

Plus, I said body shop supply store, not body shop.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

True that's the way I'd prefer to go about it.  I've always preferred to do things myself than pay someone to do it however I might also research a paint shop option too.  In any case thanks for the information as its very helpful

[Walter Youshock]

I may have the interior paint code on a chart.  What number is your interior from the data plate?

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Here is my data plate

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Here is an interior shot.  It looks nice in this photo but the edges around the gauge cluster and other areas are chipped and don't look so nice.

[Eldovert]

Dan's advice is correct.
Can you remove part of the dash such as the glove box door..have them scan that?
Cheers,Pat MacPhail

[Walter Youshock]

Interior looks really nice.  Steering wheel looks perfect and your shift knob looks original.  They always broke.  Even the dash pad looks good. 

Luckily, my interior color is the same as the exterior...

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Most of the parts on this car are original.  The steering wheel is flawless although the chrome isn't as nice as I'd like it.  The dash pad is actually one of those dash caps and it works for right now but I plan on getting one of those reproduction pads soon so I can hook up my Autronic Eye.  I guess I could take the door for the glove box to a paint shop...that would definitely work!

[Walter Youshock]

Interior chrome wasn't the greatest.  Exterior chrome was made at Cadillac and was all triple plated.  I think they probably bought the interior chrome from a third party.

Your interior is full cloth in Neptune and Glacier pattern.  It's rare to see an all cloth interior.  Series 62 offered all cloth or cloth/elascofab (vinyl).  Devilles were cloth and leather with front seat armrest.

[gary griffin]

Tim,

   I am just delving into the same project for my 1957- 69 Special. It is a similar blue. Please post your solutions.  I have removed the door panels and restoring them and my daughter in law is a Fabrion (Fabrion is an interior repair company) franchise serving our area. She will paint the vinyl the appropriate color. I have taken panels to auto body supply companies and had color matched paint mixed and put in spray cans and in pint sized cans.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Gary:

    Sure thing I'm going to be doing some work on my Cadillac here shortly and I'll let you know what I come across

Walter:

    That's interesting so dual cloth was uncommon then?

[gary griffin]

Some of my panels have Chrome, vinyl, and cloth.  Lots of metal parts removed for paint and vinyl restoration. I will post some pictures as I progress. Probably not getting to that stage until after the Gran National
though.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Yeah I hope to make the GN next year.  I just landed a new gig at a new company which will let me throw some extra $$ towards my Cadillac.  I hope to have it a solid #2 car by next year.  Right now its a clean #3.  Do you have any pictures you can post now?

[Jon S]

Interior chrome wasn't the greatest.  Exterior chrome was made at Cadillac and was all triple plated.  I think they probably bought the interior chrome from a third party.

Your interior is full cloth in Neptune and Glacier pattern.  It's rare to see an all cloth interior.  Series 62 offered all cloth or cloth/elascofab (vinyl).  Devilles were cloth and leather with front seat armrest.

If properly maintained, the interior chrome holds up very well:

[Cadillac Jack 82]

I'm pretty sure most of my interior chrome will polish up.  Other pieces have minor pits so I'll have to find some NOS or rechromed pieces...mainly the gauge pods.  Nice dash Jon!

[Jon S]

Thanks Tim!  I've just used Windex on the chrome over the years.