Heater color

[bkahler]

I'm about ready to paint the heater in my dodge truck. Its a series 62 heater. It appears to be a chocolate brown color with a hint of purple in it. Has anyone come up with a color out of a spray can that is a close match to the original?

Thanks!

Brad

[MBF]

Mine was a chocolate brown with a wrinkle finish on it. The original interior color was brown (seat, headliner, door panels). Since I changed the seat cover and other panels, i painted the heater black to match. Not sure if this was the way they did it back then or not. MBF

[Young Ed]

Rustoleum and Krylon both have hamertone paints. I just painted my heater the silver hammertone and will be painting the ones from my coupe gold hammertone.

[bkahler]

Ed, I like the idea of hammertone paint. I find it it interesting that MBF's was crinkle finished. Mine was definitely painted the chocolate brown by the factory and its a smooth finish.

This weekend I'm running up to the big city and I'll see what I can find.

Thanks!

Brad

[greg g]

Kyrlon has a Leather BROWN that might be real close. Also one called Equestrian.

[Vintrader]

The Black Hammertone Paint ( really more very dark gray ) while not an original color, Looks very good on most under dash metal. I have used it on a few heaters, and it holds up very well. Dutch

[Reg Evans]

Don't forget the silver circle in the middle.

[bkahler]

Don't forget the silver circle in the middle.

Reg, I totally forgot about that!

Its going to be fun to mask that section off for painting. Might have to get my wife who has the steadier hand to do that work for me

Thanks for the reminder.

Brad

[ggdad1951]

did this color ever get determined? I'm starting the resto of my heater (and a spare to sell).

[Dave72dt]

Masking doesn't have to be difficult. Paint it all one color , then using fine line or reg masking tape tape around the edge of the center circle. Doesn't matter if you get some mask on the circle. Follow the edge with a razor blade or Exacto, pressing the tape firmly around the base as you go. Peel off the excess that's on the circle. Mask off the rest of the base and you're done

[John-T-53]

The Black Hammertone Paint ( really more very dark gray ) while not an original color, Looks very good on most under dash metal. I have used it on a few heaters, and it holds up very well. Dutch

I used this exact color on my model 61 heater. It came out very nice. The 61's were originally a dark grey like this although the texture in the original paint was very slight compared with today's hammered rattle can paints.

I bought a model 65 heater from you (Dutch) and searched all over for a color like the original dark maroon. This had a slight texture to it as well. I couldn't find anything close but ended up with a different heater anyway, so the search ended. I still hadn't really searched the dupli-color touch-up paint rack, but was about to get a custom color mixed and just apply it with a gun.

Edited November 9, 2011 by John-T-53

[Rusty O'Toole]

Dave has a good answer here, but may I make one suggestion to make the job easier. Paint the silver circle first, just spray bomb the top of the heater without masking. Then mask off the circle as he suggests, cutting around the circle with an X acto knife. Then paint the outsides of the heater. This is a little easier than painting the box first as it involves less masking.

[Don Coatney]

Or another suggestion. Paint the silver first and let it cure. Then carefully cover it with vasolene or grease being careful to cover only the circle. Then shoot the rest of the box with the desired color and let it cure. Then use a rag to remove the vasolene. I have done this with success on many small parts.

[B1B Keven]

So, what is the correct outside color? Did it depend of the color of the upholstery?

[John-T-53]

So, what is the correct outside color? Did it depend of the color of the upholstery?

I don't think it related to the upholstery.

Here's what I've seen:

Model 61: Dark Grey

Model 62: Dark Maroon ??

Model 65: Dark Maroon/Silver

Model 504: ?

[ggdad1951]

BUT remember the screen(s) covering the openings were CAD plated and not painted. I'm gonna go bother my favorite NAPA girl tonight with this paint color question, she'll love me for it!

[Dave72dt]

Dave has a good answer here' date=' but may I make one suggestion to make the job easier. Paint the silver circle first, just spray bomb the top of the heater without masking. Then mask off the circle as he suggests, cutting around the circle with an X acto knife. Then paint the outsides of the heater. This is a little easier than painting the box first as it involves less masking.[/quote']

I figured the flat part of the box would be easier to mask and trim around than that thin edge on the circle. I almost added that method in. Standing the masking tape up using 1" tape as you go around it and then folding it in towards the center works well too. Works well on door locks if they aren 't removed. Just pinch the top shut.

[B1B Keven]

Another good product to use for sharp radii is pen striping tape.

[B1B Keven]

I don't think it related to the upholstery.

Here's what I've seen:

Model 61: Dark Grey

Model 62: Dark Maroon ??

Model 65: Dark Maroon/Silver

Model 504: ?

Thanks John!

I've got a 61, so Dark Grey it is.

[Rusty O'Toole]

If I was taping off the circular emblem I would tape over the whole thing with strips of tape, press around the circle with a fingernail, draw around the circle with a sharp pencil or ballpoint pen then cut around with a sharp knife. Somehow a pen or pencil line makes it easier to make a smooth cut.

[greg g]

Looks like what we used to call cordovan, a brownish maroon. Krylon has a color in their general purpose line called Georgia Clay the looks kinda close.

[ggdad1951]

so I stopped at NAPA and got "the look" from my girl there when I walked in...she just LOVES it when I come in for odd stuff! They have a NON high temp paint that is close I think: "Dark Garnet Red Met". This is a metallic paint, but the larger question is if this paint would hold up to the temps?

Plan on calling the LARGER NAPA in St Paul today off a recommendation and talking to the guy there that can match paints and put them in spray cans to see what he says. If I get a color formula, I'll share it here.

[Young Ed]

Standard paint should be fine on a heater cabinet. They don't get that warm.

[Dave72dt]

it won't get as warm as exterior paint does in the middle of August.

[B1B Keven]

Model 61 painted in RUST-OLEUM HAMMERED dark grey/bronze and silver.