Minimalist interior

[saltyourwounds]

Once I get some other things goin on in my truck I plan on changing the color of the interior... I don't have carpet, or a headliner, no sounddeadner, no extras really... just metal, dash pad and door panels. I like the minimalist look of my inside but, is red and white. Not a color combo I want to look at... Anyway, I'm curious if anyone has repainted the floorboards, metal dash and inside of the top of the roof like I want to do. I'm not looking for show quality, but I do want it to look nice. I'll obviously remove my bench seat, but what other things should I move, and has anyone painted the metal dash while still in the truck? (I might just sand it down to the bare metal through some black on it, re sand  so it looks worn and then clear coat.)

Any thoughts suggestions or links to maybe a previous post that might help. I'd rather not do carpet.. And I hear bed liner will look dirty all the time, after its dirty once.

[zieg85]

You should remove the dash pad and speedometer cluster.  But pretty much mask everything else and you are good to go.  Personally I wouldn't sand it to bare metal.  I would just use the green scotch bright pad to knock the gloss down, clean it with a pre-clean, prime and paint.  Remove the seat belts if you can or at least the shoulder parts on the pillar.

[sphinx]

I agree with zieg85.  Remove as much as you feel comfortable removing and mask off the rest.  Deffently the dash pad and insterment cluster.  I would pull the steering wheel too to get it out of the way.  If you have a radio, it might need to be removed also along with the heater controls.  Don't have to remove them from the dash completely, just unmount them so you can paint easier.  Tape, cover, or remove - paint will always get in the darnedest places. 

[PromiseKeeper]

the door panels are so easy to remove....much easier than masking, but then you have the windows to contend with.

[saltyourwounds]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm pretty good with a rattle can but, I'm curious if anyone has had any good, long lasting experience with a rattle can on project like this.

As far as the doors, they need replaced, I'll probably take those off and replace them at the same time any how. (Plus I get the added bonus of having the experience of it being a little easier on my lungs if the fumes can breathe.)

[87_Rado]

I'm just curious to see how this panned out because I'm just about to do the same to my 87, did you have good luck with the rattle can? If so how's it holding up?

[roger97338]

I'm just curious to see how this panned out because I'm just about to do the same to my 87, did you have good luck with the rattle can? If so how's it holding up?

I'm not the OP, but I spray painted my door panels once in 1985, and a second time about five years ago. They seem to hold up well. I think the key is to clean and degrease them before painting. Then just follow the instructions, lay down several thin coats, not one or two thick ones. Finally, clear coat. Again, follow the instructions.

Normally, when I paint or stain something, I sand between coats with extremely fine paper. Since the door panels are textured, I skipped that step.

I don't have kids or dogs riding around in there, so that may have contributed to the longevity of the paint.