The heater box that covers my heater core appears to be a Sea Foam color. Any rattle can suggestions for me? The truck is Vermillion red, FWIW.

 

This is the original heater I am installing back in Blue, the '49. I used some Rustoleum hammered silver that I had on hand. Not an exact match, as evidenced by the two shades shown on the back side of the heater. Who knows how much the original paint has changed shades over the years.
There is a guy on this forum who restores these old heaters. I am sure he will chime in. I think he may have a current thread going.

Edit: Click here for the firstrider.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...t-heaters.html

 

Your post got me researching further. The color seems to be Silvertone Gray.

 

Ray is more correct. The color for some, including mine, was closer to a hammered aluminum than a solid tone.

 

Agree. At Iola a few years ago I found a NOS '51 Magic Air inlet with its boot that is the hammer tone argent color. Stu

 

It all depends upon how true to the original you are restoring your truck. I looked at the hammer tone silver and it is close to the original silver. But since my truck is never going to be 100% stock I liked the hammer tone black with red script better.

 

The rustoleum hammered tone silver rattle can is very close to the origional color .The only way to get an exact match is to find a small area on the inside of the heater housing , take it to an auto paint store & have them custom mix a hammered tone silver to match . The original color is a shade darker .

 

This is a custom matched auto paint color .

 

I think my heater has the original paint, as does the rest of the truck.

 

Sure looks like argent to me.

 

There is something lost in the picture taking, pixelating, computer transmongrafication. and monitor retina appreciation. It isn't argent in real life. In part, the hammered look paint - which was standardish for vending machines back in the day - is much more forgiving of scuffs than any solid color. Considering the proximity of heater boxes to human passenger feet - I'm glad to have gone the hammered path - after originally painting it a more standard aluminum - some might say argent - color. Although Pete's version is striking as well.

DW

 

I agree . . . It isn't argent but like argent that has had pure thinner sprayed on it sometime during the drying process.