How To: Restoring Classic Trucks Economically

Restoring classic trucks is a huge industry and it continues to grow. While truck restoration used to primarily focus on trucks from the 1940’s-1960’s model years, it has expanded to include more from the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. As usual, nostalgia is the top reason for restoring classic trucks. Many fondly remember the truck they owned, or someone in their family owned back in the day. Or perhaps it’s a truck they wanted as a kid.

What hasn’t changed over time is the huge expense of restoring classic trucks, which is exacerbated by the increased use of plastic and vinyl interior trim and upholstery since the 70’s. It’s not just a simple repaint of the metal dash and door panels as with earlier trucks. In many cases the plastic and vinyl needs to be replaced or restored and that doesn’t come cheap. While new restoration parts are sometimes available to replace discolored and faded components, there are other instances where reproduction parts aren’t available, and good used components are hard to find. Which makes ColorBond LVP OE perfect for restoring classic trucks.

You see, ColorBond LVP OE is a special color coating designed for leather, vinyl and plastic and is regularly used to restore and renew these materials. The finish looks great, is highly durable and has an appearance that replicates that of the materials when they were new. ColorBond offers more than 150 OEM certified colors, so finding an exact match, or a color that comes close, is easy. When restoring classic trucks ColorBond represents a significant savings over component replacement or professionally refinishing existing parts; Applying ColorBond LVP OE is a do-it-yourself project, thereby saving labor dollars. Check out these restorations done by truck owners with ColorBond LVP OE.

Dan S. used ColorBond LVP OE to restore his 1986 Eddie Bauer Bronco. As there wasn’t an exact match for the original Ford “Chestnut” interior color, he went with ColorBond color #1918 Porsche Luxior Beige and was very happy with the results.

Dan said the only new interior trim replacement parts available for the third generation Bronco are hard plastic dash covers and door panels. He used ColorBond LVP OE to coat those components, as well as other vinyl and hard plastic interior pieces. To get an idea of how much money Dan saved by using ColorBond LVP OE, consider the prices he paid for used replacement panels, which were needed since the originals were too damaged to restore:

• $375 for the rear window trim
• $425 for vinyl trim pieces under the rear windows
• $125 for the upright windshield column pieces

Because he was able to restore the usable original interior components with ColorBond LVP OE, Dan didn’t have to spend even more money purchasing additional replacement parts. Overall, he used 7 cans of the coating at a cost of $164.00. The cost of additional replacement parts would have been well over $1000.00 A terrific result and huge savings. You can’t beat that!

Jay McFarland always liked GM Square Body trucks. His dad had a ‘77 Chevy K5 Blazer when he was growing up and those warm memories led to the purchase of the ’85 Chevy Silverado C10 that you see here. Jay has much experience restoring classic trucks and once the C10 was home Jay got busy fixing it up. We’re honored that ColorBond LVP OE was a big part of that.

Due to damage from long term use, Jay replaced the door panels, dash pad, and seat covers with reproduction units. Otherwise, the original plastic interior trim pieces were retained. After applying ColorBond Adhesion Promoter on the hard plastic components, Jay used ColorBond LVP OE in GM Graphite #651 to coat the interior plastics including the door panels, map pockets, armrests, dash pad, windshield header panel, and the A and B pillar trim.

According to Jay, the coating job, including preparation, took a weekend to complete. Six cans of ColorBond were used at a cost of $140.00; not much money considering replacing the original pieces he coated would have cost at least $500.00.

“ColorBond works great.” Says Jay. “If you’re restoring classic trucks and looking for an easy way how to refurbish your interior, ColorBond lays down good and is easy to apply. It makes a big difference in how your interior appears and is an affordable and durable alternative to replacing your interior.”

Louie Atienza purchased his dream truck, a 1974 Chevy Blazer in Cheyenne trim. The interior was in very good condition, considering its age, but the dash and console were cracked and discolored. Louie says he didn’t want to do a concours restoration, he just wanted to make the interior look nicer. After discovering ColorBond LVP OE on an online forum that covered restoring classic trucks, he decided to give it a try. After scrubbing the components with soapy water and a brush, he used ColorBond Prep Cleaner to ensure all dirt, grime and oils were removed. Since the console is a hard plastic, ColorBond Adhesion Promoter was used to be sure there would be no cracking, chipping, or peeling of the coating. Dash Clear UV Protectant was applied as a final coat. An ABS plastic overlay was placed on the dashboard and the same prep and refinishing procedure was used to match it to the console.

Why Choose ColorBond for Restoring Classic Trucks?

Restoring classic trucks is rewarding, but it can get expensive quickly. That is why so many truck owners look to ColorBond LVP OE when tackling tired, faded, or mismatched interior components. ColorBond offers an economical and dependable way to renew leather, vinyl, and plastic surfaces without the cost of tracking down rare replacement parts.

ColorBond LVP OE delivers a factory-fresh appearance that looks remarkably close to how these trucks rolled off the assembly line. With more than 150 OEM-certified colors, matching original interior shades is simple, even on hard-to-find trims from the 1970s through the 1990s. The finish is durable, flexible, and designed to withstand regular use, which is especially important in trucks that may still see weekend duty or show-day driving.

Because ColorBond LVP OE is easy to apply, it allows owners to complete the work themselves and save hundreds of dollars in labor. Instead of paying premium prices for reproduction parts or hoping a salvage yard piece can be restored, ColorBond lets you bring original components back to life at a fraction of the cost. The results look professional, the finish lasts, and the savings add up quickly.

For budget-minded restorers, daily-driver builds, or anyone wanting a clean factory look without overspending, ColorBond is the dependable choice.

How To Restore Classic Truck Interiors Economically with ColorBond LVP

ColorBond LVP makes classic truck interior restoration simple, affordable, and beginner-friendly. These steps help you get professional-looking results at home.

1. Clean the Surface

Proper cleaning ensures strong adhesion and helps prevent issues like peeling or bubbling. Start by washing the components with warm soapy water, then follow with ColorBond Prep Cleaner to remove oils, grime, and waxes commonly found on aged interior surfaces.

2. Mask Surrounding Areas

Masking is an easy but important step. Cover the areas around the section you are coating to protect nearby surfaces and keep your work neat. Clean edges and defined lines go a long way toward creating a professional result.

3. Apply Light, Even Coats

ColorBond’s fine mist nozzle is designed to lay down thin, even layers that are easy to control. Apply several light coats rather than one heavy coat. Most customers find this approach delivers the smoothest, most consistent finish.

4. Let It Cure

Allow the coating to fully cure so it bonds properly to the material. Once cured, ColorBond LVP provides durable, fade-resistant results that stand up well to everyday use, show day wear, and the demands of classic truck interiors.

ColorBond LVP OE Is Not Paint – It’s Much Better

ColorBond LVP OE is not traditional paint. It is an elastomeric coating engineered specifically for leather, vinyl, and plastic surfaces. Standard spray paints rely on rigid binders that sit on top of the material. When the surface flexes, shifts with temperature, or experiences daily use, those rigid layers begin to crack, peel, or chip.

Elastomeric coating works differently. Made from elastic polymers, it stretches with the surface and returns to its original shape without breaking apart. Instead of sitting on top of the material, an elastomeric coating bonds on a molecular level, allowing it to move with interior components that constantly flex and expand. This is what makes it ideal for automotive seats, dashboards, door panels, and trim pieces that experience regular motion and stress.

Because ColorBond LVP OE is an elastomeric coating, it delivers flexibility, crack resistance, and long-term durability that ordinary spray paint cannot match. It also provides consistent, OEM-matched color that keeps the interior looking factory fresh while resisting fading from UV exposure. The result is a smooth, uniform finish that lasts, even in high-contact areas where traditional coatings quickly fail.

Start Your Classic Truck Restoration Today with ColorBond

You don’t need expert training, a fully equipped garage, or high-end tools to achieve impressive results on your DIY classic truck restoration. ColorBond makes it possible for beginners to tackle interior upgrades with confidence and achieve a finish that looks professionally done.

We want to see your ColorBand project! Please send photos and a brief description to: info@colorbondpaint.com.