1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**SoCoC10** · 05-13-2021, 12:16 PM

I’ve been fighting the 1972 only Dark Saddle/Saddle interior color for more than a year now. A very accomplished builder out of Southern California named Fidel Limon posted he used Rustoleum “Chestnut” for his Saddle interiors. I was shocked the results a rattle can of Rustoleum “Chestnut” gave and honestly I couldn’t believe how close the color was to the OER replacement armrests.

After a year of frustration, and hundreds of dollars spent, here are the results $15 of product from Walmart gave me. Yes I already had the adhesion promoter and the matt clear but for $30 and a 1/2 days work, you can replicate the results.

**SoCoC10** · 05-13-2021, 12:39 PM

I typically use a very dark brown and black self adhesive contact paper made by Yifely to redo the Deluxe inserts. I used instead.

sick472 · 05-13-2021, 12:54 PM

Heck Yeah! I love it when it turns out that good.

68 P.O.S. · 05-14-2021, 11:53 AM

Very nice, good work.

Wobpb377 · 05-14-2021, 02:57 PM

Looks good. I might need to steal this idea.

**spmtamu11** · 05-14-2021, 03:15 PM

How did you cut contact paper to get the small chrome band to look that good?

**special-K** · 05-15-2021, 10:57 AM

Those came out really nice. I remember the thread we were working this out in. Glad you found a shade you're happy with.

best view · 05-15-2021, 08:51 PM

That’s stupid nice good job

Ben IV · 05-16-2021, 12:18 AM

Turned out great. I follow Fidel Limon on Instagram, turns out some great looking trucks.

CG · 05-19-2021, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spmtamu11

How did you cut contact paper to get the small chrome band to look that good?

Id like to see a how to on how he did the entire thing ... Really looks great in the pics.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 05-20-2021, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spmtamu11

How did you cut contact paper to get the small chrome band to look that good?

I used mylar tape on my '70 door panels with the "chrome" around the woodgrain. I think it was 3/8" wide. I don't remember where I got it from, but it is the perfect width to cover up the trim. If anyone is interested, I can try to dig it up.

Mapearso · 05-21-2021, 06:50 PM

That looks really nice. How did you get the thin inner metal lines? marker? or did you cut the woodgrain?

Thanks ...

**SoCoC10** · 05-21-2021, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mapearso

That looks really nice. How did you get the thin inner metal lines? marker? or did you cut the woodgrain?

Thanks ...

I use a firm 3M plastic squeegee to make sure the contact paper is down right up against the raised detail on both sides. Then I use a new razor blade to cut the contact paper off the top of the detail.

Mapearso · 05-22-2021, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCoC10

I use a firm 3M plastic squeegee to make sure the contact paper is down right up against the raised detail on both sides. Then I use a new razor blade to cut the contact paper off the top of the detail.

Ah. Got it. Thanks. I'll have to try that ...

**spmtamu11** · 11-23-2021, 01:55 PM

SoCoC10

Getting around to doing this myself. Got a few questions
1. What did you use to clean the panels up before painting?
2. What did you do to prep the deluxe inserts before applying the new contact paper?
3. For the darker contact paper, do you have a item/model number for the darker color you have used? This is the closest I have found so far: https://www.amazon.com/SimpleLife4U-...95758792&psc=1

Thanks in advance

Thealien · 11-23-2021, 02:28 PM

Posting to make it easier to find later. I need to do some saddle painting myself.

**SoCoC10** · 11-23-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spmtamu11

SoCoC10

Getting around to doing this myself. Got a few questions
1. What did you use to clean the panels up before painting?
2. What did you do to prep the deluxe inserts before applying the new contact paper?
3. For the darker contact paper, do you have a item/model number for the darker color you have used? This is the closest I have found so far: https://www.amazon.com/SimpleLife4U-...95758792&psc=1

Thanks in advance

I just used Simple Green and hot water followed by denatured alcohol then the adhesion promoter, paint and just as they start to flash a light coat of the Satin clear. That Yifely product is the dark brown wood that I used previously.

**spmtamu11** · 11-25-2021, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCoC10

I just used Simple Green and hot water followed by denatured alcohol then the adhesion promoter, paint and just as they start to flash a light coat of the Satin clear. That Yifely product is the dark brown wood that I used previously.

Thanks for the tips! Got mine off and working on finishing them up this weekend. Crazy (and not surprising) what the sun and in my case, cigarette smoke from the original owner does over 50 years.

How do you prep the inserts for the new contact paper? Just clean and knock down any high spots then just put the new contact paper down? Or do you sand the existing wood grain off?

Thanks in advance!

**davischevy** · 11-29-2021, 09:19 PM

Subscribed.

Ole Blue 71 · 11-29-2021, 11:08 PM

This is great! I was wondering how the heck I was going to do this. First truck with the 72 style door panels.

**spmtamu11** · 11-30-2021, 01:18 PM

Paint turned out great! Color was a perfect match when I sprayed the back and the part that’s been covered by the insert. Struck out on two different contact paper patterns that weren’t as advertised from Amazon.

**davischevy** · 12-31-2021, 08:28 PM

The top defroster vent is NOS, the bottom painted with the chestnut paint referred to in Post #1.

05-13-2021, 12:39 PM	#2
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,142	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover I typically use a very dark brown and black self adhesive contact paper made by Yifely to redo the Deluxe inserts. I used instead. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count Last edited by SoCoC10; 05-13-2021 at 03:59 PM.

05-13-2021, 12:54 PM	#3
sick472 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Sedalia Mo. Posts: 1,130	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover Heck Yeah! I love it when it turns out that good. __________________ He who is without oil shall throw the first rod. Compressions 8.7:1 1972 C10 1976 C10 (parts truck) 1985 K20

05-14-2021, 11:53 AM	#4
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,661	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover Very nice, good work. __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

05-14-2021, 02:57 PM	#5
Wobpb377 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Aiea,HI Posts: 187	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover Looks good. I might need to steal this idea.

05-14-2021, 03:15 PM	#6
spmtamu11 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 57	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover How did you cut contact paper to get the small chrome band to look that good?

05-13-2021, 12:16 PM	#1
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,142	1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover I’ve been fighting the 1972 only Dark Saddle/Saddle interior color for more than a year now. A very accomplished builder out of Southern California named Fidel Limon posted he used Rustoleum “Chestnut” for his Saddle interiors. I was shocked the results a rattle can of Rustoleum “Chestnut” gave and honestly I couldn’t believe how close the color was to the OER replacement armrests. After a year of frustration, and hundreds of dollars spent, here are the results $15 of product from Walmart gave me. Yes I already had the adhesion promoter and the matt clear but for $30 and a 1/2 days work, you can replicate the results. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count Last edited by SoCoC10; 05-13-2021 at 12:45 PM.

05-15-2021, 10:57 AM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover Those came out really nice. I remember the thread we were working this out in. Glad you found a shade you're happy with. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-15-2021, 08:51 PM	#8
best view Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: newbury new hampsire Posts: 1,985	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover That’s stupid nice good job

05-16-2021, 12:18 AM	#9
Ben IV Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Glenpool OK Posts: 255	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover Turned out great. I follow Fidel Limon on Instagram, turns out some great looking trucks. __________________ 70 GMC custom short bed conversion 69 GMC panel truck

05-21-2021, 06:50 PM	#12
Mapearso Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 926	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover That looks really nice. How did you get the thin inner metal lines? marker? or did you cut the woodgrain? Thanks ... __________________ 1972 C10 SWB Cheyenne Super 350/350 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=691825 1972 C10 SWB 454/400 Cheyenne Super Project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=Project+KISS

11-23-2021, 01:55 PM	#15
spmtamu11 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 57	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover SoCoC10 Getting around to doing this myself. Got a few questions 1. What did you use to clean the panels up before painting? 2. What did you do to prep the deluxe inserts before applying the new contact paper? 3. For the darker contact paper, do you have a item/model number for the darker color you have used? This is the closest I have found so far: https://www.amazon.com/SimpleLife4U-...95758792&psc=1 Thanks in advance

11-23-2021, 02:28 PM	#16
Thealien Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pine Ridge Florida Posts: 4,126	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover Posting to make it easier to find later. I need to do some saddle painting myself. __________________ Click on my Not really a build thread, yet NOT SO RUST FREE RUST FREE BLAZER LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD BOLT RESTORATIONS 4l60 to an NP205

11-29-2021, 09:19 PM	#19
davischevy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Harrison, Arkansas Posts: 9,786	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover Subscribed. __________________ other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

11-29-2021, 11:08 PM	#20
Ole Blue 71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Eastern ND Posts: 22	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover This is great! I was wondering how the heck I was going to do this. First truck with the 72 style door panels. __________________ 71 C-10 "Ole Blue" 72 C-15 - Current Project 72 K-10 - In Pieces (Sold) 70 C-10 - "Goldie" (Sold) 66 Impala Convertible 20 FLTRXS

11-30-2021, 01:18 PM	#21
spmtamu11 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 57	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover Paint turned out great! Color was a perfect match when I sprayed the back and the part that’s been covered by the insert. Struck out on two different contact paper patterns that weren’t as advertised from Amazon. Attached Images Last edited by spmtamu11; 11-30-2021 at 01:20 PM. Reason: Additional detail



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12-31-2021, 08:28 PM	#22
davischevy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Harrison, Arkansas Posts: 9,786	Re: 1972 Dark Saddle door panel makeover The top defroster vent is NOS, the bottom painted with the chestnut paint referred to in Post #1. Attached Images __________________ other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

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