Trunk Splatter Paint: More Than Just a Finish.

Trunk splatter paint, often called “speckled paint,” is a multicolored, textured finish commonly used in the trunks of American vehicles from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Manufacturers used splatter paint because it was an economical and practical finish for trunk and cargo areas. Its thick, textured appearance helped resist scratches and provided some protection against moisture while also helping disguise minor factory weld marks, surface imperfections, seams, and sheet-metal stamping marks.

The colors and patterns varied depending on the vehicle manufacturer, model, and year. Earlier applications commonly used combinations of gray and white, while dark gray or black backgrounds with aqua or light-blue specks became especially recognizable on many vehicles during the 1960s and 1970s.

Preparing the Trunk Area

Proper preparation is important for achieving a durable, professional-looking finish. Before applying trunk splatter paint, the entire area should be thoroughly cleaned with a quality wax and grease remover to remove dirt, oil, grease, wax, and other contaminants.

The surface should then be properly prepared by removing any loose or peeling paint, surface rust, and corrosion. Depending on the condition of the existing finish and the extent of the rust, stripping some or all of the area to bare metal may be necessary.

Any rust damage, rust holes, or deteriorated sheet metal should be properly repaired before proceeding. Splatter paint should never be used to cover or hide active rust or damaged metal.

Once all repairs and surface preparation are complete, the area can be coated with a quality epoxy primer to protect the prepared metal and provide a suitable foundation for the finishing process. Seams and repaired areas should then be properly seam sealed where required to help prevent moisture from entering between overlapping panels and welded seams.

After the primer and seam sealer have properly cured, the trunk can be prepared for application of the appropriate splatter paint. The correct color and pattern should be selected based on the vehicle manufacturer, model, year, and the desired level of originality.

When restoring a classic vehicle, the trunk finish is more than just cosmetic. Proper metal preparation, corrosion repair, priming, seam sealing, and application of the correct splatter pattern can help protect the trunk while recreating the period-correct appearance of the original vehicle.

Application and Safety

Always follow the product manufacturer’s instructions for surface preparation, mixing, application, drying and curing times, number of coats, and whether a protective topcoat or clear coat is required. Products can vary considerably, so the application procedure for one type of splatter paint may not be appropriate for another.

Always follow the manufacturer's safety recommendations and use the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with cleaners, primers, seam sealers, paints, and coatings. Proper ventilation and respiratory, eye, skin, and hand protection should be used as required by the products being applied.