Can anybody recommend what type of paint to use on the chassis and axle etc? I’m planning to paint the parts yellow and I’m not sure if hammerite/ smoothrite is up to the job.
Hi Mark,
Hammerite chips really easily, Smoothrite is a little better, You can buy proper chassis black(from Frosts) but, as the name suggests,It's black!!!
Some people swear by household gloss, as it stays reasonably soft and so doesn't chip as much.
I suspect you'll get several different answers depending on individual prejudices!
Cheers
Chris 
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Hi Mark,
Hammerite chips really easily, Smoothrite is a little better, You can buy proper chassis black(from Frosts) but, as the name suggests,It's black!!! Some people swear by household gloss, as it stays reasonably soft and so doesn't chip as much.
I suspect you'll get several different answers depending on individual prejudices!
Cheers
Chris
My chassis is blue, and that's what you're going to be(along with black)when I get my hands on you!!!!!!
GRRRRRrrrrrrrr........
Chris
had i known about it i would have used "Tractol" industrial paint, i used some at work the other day and it went on very well (using a small roller
instead of a brush)if there is a next time that would be the paint i would use without a doubt, we used it to paint some tackle going on an oil rig,
salt water all day ? nuff said.
the Tractol primer is very "high build" to so covers any grinding marks ect...... 
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I have heard people use something called por15.
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My chassis is blue, and that's what you're going to be(along with black)when I get my hands on you!!!!!!
GRRRRRrrrrrrrr........
Chris
What preparation are people doing to the chassis before painting? Zinc coating, rust preventer, undercoat?
i used that kurust, i think its called, hammerite stuff that turns the metal blue/black (there black n blue again) then went on to prime, top coat
ect....
I have used an solvent based etcher then red oxide primer and then bodyshop brush applied paint. this was reccomended to me by a coachpainter and i
sticks like S**t to the metal, doest appear to chip easily, just remember to prep the chassis with thinners to remove all greade etc....
you can cet these from specalist suppliers, i used Brown Brothers in Chester, they have depts through out the country.
I hadn't thought about using household gloss on the chassis parts - thanks for the tip. Can this be used on the engine block as well or does the block get too hot?
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I hadn't thought about using household gloss on the chassis parts - thanks for the tip. Can this be used on the engine block as well or does the block get too hot?
Just spoken to a chap who sells 'Tractol' paint, and when I said I wanted it in black he said I should be using their 'Chassis Black' paint. Made by the same people as Tractol, but more resistant to petrol, grease and road grime. Questioned him about drying times and he recon'd it was the same as Tractol. And a bit cheaper too. But still use Tractol black primer. Don't bother etching, just de-grease well. Company is Avenue Coatings 01753 686888, near Heathrow. Will deliver locally (even Brighton) for free, even for a couple of litres. Nice people.
Hi Ive used screwfix galvinised spray paint on the whole chassis then painted it with hammerite smooth.It has proved to be very hardwearing (lot of
work but worth it) 
I've tried hamerite on the suspension, however it gives a slightly 'vynl' finish. When you clamp it or tighten bolts against it, it 'rips' and looks
like it needs re-sanding and re-painting.
I'm now experimenting with enamal paints. So far the coat is much thiner and doesn't chip.
This may seem like a stupid question but can anybody recommend a solvent to use to clean any grease left on axel/chassis b4 painting. Would 'Pound Shop' brake cleaner in a can be ok? If not, what and where from?
Just use cheap as you can get cellulose thinner for cleaning.
It is usually cheaper than cleaning solvents.
Terry
for info my car (on the road 3 years)
the chassis was degreased with thinners, finnigans rust preventive primer and then hammerite top coat.
to be honest if i had my time again i would not use hammerite, as said above it chips,flakes, and does not do what it says on the tin, so perhaps i
will use "ronseal" next time!!!
this thread is very intersting to me because i am about to start painting the chassis on my covin, and did not want the same poor results as on my
locost, and funny enough i was in "b&q" today and was looking at the "gloss" and dismissed it as "skirting board
paint" and not up to the job for a chassis paint
also houshold gloss 2.5 ltr = £14. or hammerite = £32.
out of interst,has any one on here actually used houshold gloss ? before i start painting
regards
steve
Put the 'Tractol' primer on the other day, awesome stuff, thick and sticky, nothing like regular primers. Tried chipping some off today, couldn't bunge it. For degreasing ended up using 'pound shop' brake cleaner, no problems.
told you......... 
tractol's the stuff
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out of interst,has any one on here actually used houshold gloss ? before i start painting
regards
steve
What in the name of greek buggery has happened to your photo, steve? You used to be cool, man. You used to be cool.
It doesn't seem like a lot of people are looking at powder coating. Adding up the cost of all the thinners, undercoat, special paint, etc, not to
mention the time, doesn't powder coating look half reasonable?
A friend of a friend has recently bought a 10 year+ old pre-lit Westy. It had been rotting in a barn for a long time, and the exposed red fiberglass
has faded to 'turd brown'. But the powder coated chassis is utterly immaculate, even in areas exposed to all the elements/stone chips etc etc. I'm
pretty sure I'll get my chassis and wishbones powder coated - well worth it IMHO.
Liam
i have used house hold gloss on grass track chassis in the past, same style 1" box, i found it lost its coulour easily and allso chipped as
well...there my 2p worth.
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What in the name of greek buggery has happened to your photo, steve? You used to be cool, man. You used to be cool.
Liam