My 1947 Dodge built

[roughirongarage]

Hey guys, I’m new to the forum but wanted to start a build thread. This is my 1947 dodge I bought when I was 12 from the neighbor, I’m currently 18 and still working on it hoping to get it going for this summer. The truck has been in plenty of configurations since I bought it but never been on the road since I’ve owned it. The pictures are from last summer when I had is mostly assembled with not paint on the chassis and hauled it to a truck show. I have since torn it completely apart and painted the frame.

[roughirongarage]

Right now I’m working on painting the inside of the cab. Should I be concerned about lead paint? What do you guys recommend I do for prep before painting over the old paint? Old paint is navy blue color.

 

 

thanks

           

[Los_Control]

I have no knowledge of lead paint in vehicles .... not saying it did not happen .... just never heard of it.

 

In the early days lead was used in paint to make it last longer.

A good example is Red barns .... They could add more lead to red paint without it affecting the color ..... the more lead they added the longer the paint would last.

 

The problem with lead is it is sweet tasting. So with modern houses in the 1940's, as paint peeled off the walls children would peel it off and eat it.

 

The trick to avoiding issues with lead paint .... do not eat it. .... If you do eat too much it can cause brain damage.

 

I'm just saying I have never heard of lead in automotive paint ..... always a good idea to wear a mask when sanding anything to prevent it from getting into your lungs.

I strongly suggest you do not eat the paint you have removed.

 

Anytime you cover it with fresh paint it is considered encapsulated and no longer a issue. Same thing with asbestos ... cover it up and no longer a issue.

Try to remove it and it becomes a environmental catastrophe .... the truck will need to be seized and destroyed.

 

Use your best judgement preparing the paint in your vehicle for new paint ... possible old paint did have lead but never heard anyone complain about it.

 

Same time, lead is still used in paint today. Such as elevators or the San Francisco bridge. It does make the paint last longer, but only available to commercial companies.

 

Just do not eat it!

[Dave72dt]

The prep for paint can depend on how you intend to use the truck and how nice you need it to be.  Do you need dents and blemishes removed or just a protective coating?  How much rust needs to be replaced or just wire brushed, treated and then painted?  Any loose paint or loose and flaking rust at the least needs to be addressed before paint.  High end automotive paint system or as simple as Rustoleum brushed, rolled or sprayed on?  The nicer it needs to look, the more prep is required.

[billrigsby]

18 hours ago, Los_Control said:

I have no knowledge of lead paint in vehicles .... not saying it did not happen .... just never heard of it.

 

You are more apt to find lead in newer, but not current paints.

DP 40 and 401 are metal etching epoxy primers from DuPont about fifteen years ago did contain lead.

 

Now sold as DP40LF and DP401LF, LF=Lead Free.

Edited January 18, 2024 by billrigsby

[kencombs]

Lead was used in a lot of old paints, including vehicles.   As long as you don't ingest it there is no risk in normal working on it.  But, be aware that sanding dust  in the nose, eyes or mouth is ingesting.   Easy solution is wet sand.   Or use a good mask and filter system when power sanding.   But those precautions should be used no matter the presence of lead.   Anything you breathe besides the normal 80/20 N and O mix is not good for you.

 

I use my paint mask but with particle filters instead of organic vapor cartridges when sanding.

[roughirongarage]

Ok, thanks for all the responses, I am only painting the inside do the cab for now, and leave the outside “patina”. I think I’ll just hit everything with a wire wheel except for the parts that will show, and use sandpaper on those areas to keep the surface smooth. I’m using an industrial enamel from diamond vogel, the same stuff I used for the frame.

 

 

The reason I’m doing this is I want the interior to be nice and covering rust patches with interior panels just seems wrong to me.

 

Again, thanks for the replies