Paint Source for 1983 K20

[Stormhawk]

Gents,
This spring I plan on repainting the roof on my 83' K20 as there's not a trace of paint left, and is nothing but rust and primer.
The build sticker in the glove box is missing, but I believe my truck is "mystic silver" & "midnight black" two tone.
The roof is silver, and I need to find a source for paint in the original color, or the next best thing.
What can you guys recommend?

 

[TotalyHucked]

The ideal thing would be to find a paint shop/body shop that has the little scanner thing they can scan your existing paint with and mix up a batch to match. Our local bodyshop supply place does that, I've even had them mix up some aerosol spray cans that way for small projects

 

[Grit dog]

Any paint and body supply can match it.
But I’ll throw out another plug for Tamco paint. Still a great value.
That said, @Stormhawk, figure out what your actual goal is.
If you’re repainting just a cooked roof, then I’d surmise the rest of the trucks paint is not pristine.
You could spend a lot for paint that would last another 20years sitting in the sun, but maybe that doesn’t make sense for your immediate goals.
Paint supplies are EXPENSIVE, so no point in spending 3x as much for quality or a system that is of no practical benefit.
For single stage, you’re in the 1qt plus category so think about whether you want paint for the whole truck eventually or just want to preserve the roof for now. Qts vs gallon

 

[fast 99]

And buy much more than the project will need if this will be a longer duration paint job. Mix colors change, matching down the road may be a problem. Ran into it a couple years ago. There was no way the paint store [Ditzler] could match a 15 year old mix.

 

[Grit dog]

And buy much more than the project will need if this will be a longer duration paint job. Mix colors change, matching down the road may be a problem. Ran into it a couple years ago. There was no way the paint store [Ditzler] could match a 15 year old mix.

I’ll add more reasons what you said makes sense.
1. Paint lasts basically forever. I have 20-30 year old base coat and clear that I’ve used recently.
2. It will never cost less than it does today. Albeit hopefully not ridiculously more like the last few years.

 

[fast 99]

I’ll add more reasons what you said makes sense.
1. Paint lasts basically forever. I have 20-30 year old base coat and clear that I’ve used recently.
2. It will never cost less than it does today. Albeit hopefully not ridiculously more like the last few years.

A semi retired friend still does higher end painting on one or 2 cars a year. Automobile completes he orders 2 gallons of base. Usually only uses one. And yes, stored properly will last a long time.

Pints of color today, lucky if less than $200. Hardener and thinner formulas have changed too but so far still compatible with older mixes. I quit painting cars and trucks only do motorcycles now. Last one cost near $1,000 for material, crazy stuff.

 

[Stormhawk]

Any paint and body supply can match it.
But I’ll throw out another plug for Tamco paint. Still a great value.
That said, @Stormhawk, figure out what your actual goal is.
If you’re repainting just a cooked roof, then I’d surmise the rest of the trucks paint is not pristine.
You could spend a lot for paint that would last another 20years sitting in the sun, but maybe that doesn’t make sense for your immediate goals.
Paint supplies are EXPENSIVE, so no point in spending 3x as much for quality or a system that is of no practical benefit.
For single stage, you’re in the 1qt plus category so think about whether you want paint for the whole truck eventually or just want to preserve the roof for now. Qts vs gallon

Grit, Yes, the rest of the truck is FAR from pristine, but is at least passable from 20 feet. The roof just sticks out like a sore thumb, and I want to try to preserve it and keep the base metal from rusting and degrading, while at least making the truck presentable, if not show quality. I'll see if the local paint and body shop and match it, but I live in a TINY agricultural town, and I don't know if they have the expertise to match my paint. I'll definitely try Tamco, you're not the only guy to mention them.

 

[Grit dog]

^The kicker is, do you want to match something faded or just get the matching color of what it should be. IMO it’s a losing battle to try to match faded old paint. And if you ever repaint the whole truck you’d want to shoot the roof again anyways. Good news is youd use much less base cost the next time if you do base/clear because you’d be covering the same or very close color.

 

[Ricko1966]

I don't know how your 2 tone is laid out,but it might be worth photo shopping a white roof on your truck,white would be easy if it looks okay,and paint over it when you do the whole truck. Here's a 2 tone ford with a white roof.

 

[Grit dog]

I don't know how your 2 tone is laid out,but it might be worth photo shopping a white roof on your truck,white would be easy if it looks okay,and paint over it when you do the whole truck. Here's a 2 tone ford with a white roof.

He said it’s silver and black, silver roof. So likely black stripe down the middle. But that’s totally an option.
Or if it’s silver low and high and black is the primary color then no need to match because the silver won’t be touching old silver paint. Or just paint the roof black. That’ll match plenty good enough and like white that you suggested, no custom color to find. Good suggestion. White costs the least $.

I made the mistake of presuming he had a suburban. Which is a whole lot more work and 4x as much paint. Appears it’s just a regular cab pickup. That’s cheap and easy. Only need a half pint of color if base coat. Or a pint if single stage. Quart if you want a bunch extra.
Scuff it, clean it, mask it, prime it, paint it. Small area won’t take too much effort. Don’t need much paint at all.
@Stormhawk if you want to mail order some paint like Tamco or others, they will generally have the OE paint code mixtures . Additionally, they can match from a sample. I sent them an accurate sample (the metal panel under the steering wheel, not faded at all) and they matched it perfectly.

 

[legopnuematic]

I'll give another good word for Tamco.

Even at a minimum, if you just want to get something laid down to seal it up and preserve it, their 5300 series high build primers are very nice. Not ideal for primer to sit out, but unlike the old lacquer primers and such, their 5300 series can withstand the elements.

I replaced the fenders on my trailer back in the summer of 2023, just primed them with their 5311 black primer. Trailer has sat outside since uncovered in the elements since and looks the same as when I sprayed it. Photo from late fall 2024.

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