Steering columns (painted body color or Black)? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Accelo** · 03-05-2021, 02:26 PM

I am getting ready to paint my tilt column and would like some opinions on color. The column is factory black and will be installed in a truck with both the interior and the exterior painted medium bronze.
What would you do it the question? Paint the column body color or just powder coat it black and be done with it?
If you have pictures that would be great.
Rick

sick472 · 03-05-2021, 04:07 PM

Opinion and opinion ONLY. - For a mostly stock nostalgia...you should to go with black. Is your truck going to be stock in appearance? Heavily customized vehicles can get away with color matching components that were originally black, but then you have to consider color matching the other traditionally black pieces as well. I would also have to consider color matching the steering wheel as well unless it was all metal with a wood wheel (nothing to paint).

I think it will look good either way. I am just an old dog and like seeing a mostly stock looking truck follow the old color scheme. I have seen some bronze interiors with matching column. If any color can pull it off...it's bronze!

I could have gotten away with a grey column due to the more custom interior, but it being black balances well with the other black accents in the interior (I think)...

jimijam00 · 03-05-2021, 04:19 PM

I'm a fan of black, especially to match a black dash bezel. Throw on a black wheel, and that's the magic sauce right there.

Davidf · 03-05-2021, 05:46 PM

I thought the columns were painted to match interior color scheme (not painted interior color). For instance, my '71 Cheyenne has a saddle interior and the column/steering wheel to match.

**too much stuff** · 03-05-2021, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidf

I thought the columns were painted to match interior color scheme (not painted interior color). For instance, my '71 Cheyenne has a saddle interior and the column/steering wheel to match.

All tilts were black.

**Ol Blue K20** · 03-05-2021, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by too much stuff

All tilts were black.

X2, I'm rebuilding a tilt and I went black on it.

**pjmoreland** · 03-06-2021, 01:48 AM

The original non-tilt column in my old 72 was black

**Accelo** · 03-06-2021, 03:09 AM

I want to thank everyone for their input.
I didn't know all tilts were black.
I am going to powder coat it black.
I think it will more durable and look good.
Rick

custom10nut · 03-06-2021, 02:15 PM

When I put the tilt column in my truck, Out of ignorance, I painted it Dark Olive Metallic to tie it in with the color of the vinyl on the door panels, dash pad, and headliner. Only after i painted and installed it, did I learn that I should’ve left it black. Oops 🙊
I did this about 15 years ago, and have kinda gotten used to the way it looks.
I guess the final decision is yours, since it is your truck.
There will alway be those who say “That’s not factory”, to which I reply” I know, what year is your truck?” MOST times their response is “ Oh I don’t have one”
Yeah ok
Enjoy your truck

BRL · 03-06-2021, 02:58 PM

I had to go check my column after reading this thread because I didn't know what color it was.

I've only owned my truck for 26 years as a daily driver so I shouldn't be expected to know.

Non-tilt and it's black.

03-05-2021, 02:26 PM	#1
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,201	Steering columns (painted body color or Black)? I am getting ready to paint my tilt column and would like some opinions on color. The column is factory black and will be installed in a truck with both the interior and the exterior painted medium bronze. What would you do it the question? Paint the column body color or just powder coat it black and be done with it? If you have pictures that would be great. Rick

03-05-2021, 04:07 PM	#2
sick472 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sedalia Mo. Posts: 1,131	Re: Steering columns (painted body color or Black)? Opinion and opinion ONLY. - For a mostly stock nostalgia...you should to go with black. Is your truck going to be stock in appearance? Heavily customized vehicles can get away with color matching components that were originally black, but then you have to consider color matching the other traditionally black pieces as well. I would also have to consider color matching the steering wheel as well unless it was all metal with a wood wheel (nothing to paint). I think it will look good either way. I am just an old dog and like seeing a mostly stock looking truck follow the old color scheme. I have seen some bronze interiors with matching column. If any color can pull it off...it's bronze! I could have gotten away with a grey column due to the more custom interior, but it being black balances well with the other black accents in the interior (I think)... Attached Images __________________ He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20

03-05-2021, 04:19 PM	#3
jimijam00 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: PNW Posts: 553	Re: Steering columns (painted body color or Black)? I'm a fan of black, especially to match a black dash bezel. Throw on a black wheel, and that's the magic sauce right there.

03-05-2021, 05:46 PM	#4
Davidf Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Austin Posts: 749	Re: Steering columns (painted body color or Black)? I thought the columns were painted to match interior color scheme (not painted interior color). For instance, my '71 Cheyenne has a saddle interior and the column/steering wheel to match.

03-06-2021, 01:48 AM	#7
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,370	Re: Steering columns (painted body color or Black)? The original non-tilt column in my old 72 was black Attached Images

03-06-2021, 03:09 AM	#8
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,201	Re: Steering columns (painted body color or Black)? I want to thank everyone for their input. I didn't know all tilts were black. I am going to powder coat it black. I think it will more durable and look good. Rick

03-06-2021, 02:15 PM	#9
custom10nut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: East Tn (In the heart of the Smoky Mtns) Posts: 1,858	Re: Steering columns (painted body color or Black)? When I put the tilt column in my truck, Out of ignorance, I painted it Dark Olive Metallic to tie it in with the color of the vinyl on the door panels, dash pad, and headliner. Only after i painted and installed it, did I learn that I should’ve left it black. Oops 🙊 I did this about 15 years ago, and have kinda gotten used to the way it looks. I guess the final decision is yours, since it is your truck. There will alway be those who say “That’s not factory”, to which I reply” I know, what year is your truck?” MOST times their response is “ Oh I don’t have one” Yeah ok Enjoy your truck

03-06-2021, 02:58 PM	#10
BRL Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Tahuya WA Posts: 534	Re: Steering columns (painted body color or Black)? I had to go check my column after reading this thread because I didn't know what color it was. I've only owned my truck for 26 years as a daily driver so I shouldn't be expected to know. Non-tilt and it's black.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.