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The Importance of Custom Paint

The longer we are in this business, the more we are certain that the one skill which is most important to know is how to paint. A custom painter can take nearly anything and turn it into a fine ride. Sure, those who can work on suspension or engines are able to take their specialty and turn it to their advantage, but no one modification makes more impact than a cool paint job.

Sam Spinelli’s Custom 1990 Chevy C1500

That is why guys such as Sam Spinelli, a custom painter for more than 12 years, can cruise around town in this 1990 Chevrolet C1500. Adorned with a killer basecoat and an amazing set of flames, it would be a show truck for the rest of us, but he simply describes the Chevy as his daily driver.

Spinelli has owned a lifted 1992 K2500 Chevy extra-cab longbed truck and a 1992 Chevy extra-cab longbed dualie that he had equipped with airbags and, of course, a custom paint job. Currently, he owns a 1964 Chevy Impala SS, a 2004 GMC Yukon XL Denali, and this 1990 Chevy truck.

Choosing the Chevy C1500

That affinity for the Bow-Tie was a deciding factor when a buddy was selling the then-all-white truck a few years ago. As his wife, Erica, was driving the Denali, Spinelli figured that he needed a good daily driver to get around his hometown of Oakley, California. While the rest of the truck was in pretty good shape, the white paint scheme had to go. But first, he had a few ideas that he wanted to apply.

Suspension Modifications

The first was that something needed to be done about the suspension. Spinelli knows more than how to lay down paint; he also knows how to sit down a pickup. His first call was to the guys at Belltech, who were only too happy to sell Spinelli all the things he needed to turn a stock pickup into a slammed roller. Spinelli used a set of 3-inch drop spindles, along with a pair of Belltech’s 2-inch drop springs, to really give the Chevy’s frontend that sinking feeling. To get the back half of the Chevy in line with the front, Spinelli again used Belltech pieces. This time it was a Belltech Flip kit and shackles, which add up (or should it be down?) to a 7-inch drop. Providing the damping is a quartet of Belltech Nitro Active shocks. To provide plenty of room for the stock 12-bolt housing now that the rearend is so low, a Belltech C-notch kit allows the rear to tuck up into the frame. Wanting his truck to take advantage of the improved handling that the lower center of gravity could provide, Spinelli included a set of Hotchkis antisway bars and a complete set of Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings.

The Wheels and Tires

When all that was done, the easy part of the upgrade came when Spinelli bolted on the 20-inch Centerline Rapid 6 20×8-inch wheels equipped with Goodyear Eagle HP tires (255/35-20).

Custom Welding and Paint

With the low taken care of, it was time to handle the show. Spinelli wanted to show his chops a little, and he definitely wanted flames, but he had a little welding to do first. He welded up the stake pockets on the bed and added a Belltech roll pan. To give the doors a little something different, he swapped out the stock handles for a set of Suburban rear door handles. Why? Because they don’t have keyholes.

When it came time for Spinelli to spray, he used DuPont lime green paint to completely cover the Chevy. When that was done, he broke out the line tape and added a set of really long flames. In fact, they barely end at the end of the vehicle. For these he chose DuPont electric blue paint, which he then outlined in burnt orange. Once all was done and the paper was pulled, Spinelli cleared the entire vehicle in Chroma clearcoat. Speaking of clear, out went the stock taillights and in went a set of APC carbon fiber Euro lights. He then added a set of APC clear turn signals and marker lights.

The Result

The result is a killer look, and the best part is that while a paint job like this would cost the rest of us plenty, it cost Spinelli only a few gallons of paint and a little time.