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Author: Subject: What’s the best chassis paint?
MarkD

posted on 4/4/02 at 05:04 PM Reply With Quote
What’s the best chassis paint?

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.
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chrisg

posted on 4/4/02 at 06:03 PM Reply With Quote
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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stephen_gusterson

posted on 4/4/02 at 06:44 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
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


Dont use any kind 'right paint - its a bit sticky to apply, chi-ps and takes 6 weeks between coats. Its also really poor when heat is around. And relatively expensive.

I have heard people use something called por15.


I am the household black gloss brigade.

However, dont beleive the no undercoat statement on the one coat can - it chips a bit easy if you dont undercoat.

Also, consider if you really want black - I have seen some chassis in yellow, and that looks quite nice.

Chris Gibbs did his in pink, which, by the rumour, is why his car is never apparently seen in public. He's got a nice leather jacket and matching cap to go with it too.







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chrisg

posted on 4/4/02 at 07:34 PM Reply With Quote
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

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Jon Ison

posted on 4/4/02 at 07:50 PM Reply With Quote
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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David Jenkins

posted on 4/4/02 at 08:21 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
I have heard people use something called por15.



Great stuff, but needs a lot of prep before use (POR15 Metal Ready, I think it's called). It needs a bit of roughness to stay attached.

Also, it's not UV resistant, so you still need a topcoat.

Very tough, though.

David J

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stephen_gusterson

posted on 4/4/02 at 10:20 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
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


Ah, but the pink was the first attempt no?





Appreciate your help with the colour scheme tho - black and blue is my favoured colour scheme right now.

Or BRG

Or old fashioned dark red and black.


Just glad ive got about 6 months to decide the colour!



ATB


Steve

PS

Ive seen your pic so I will see you before you see me and I recon I can run faster

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JohnFol

posted on 5/4/02 at 10:57 AM Reply With Quote
What preparation are people doing to the chassis before painting? Zinc coating, rust preventer, undercoat?
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Jon Ison

posted on 5/4/02 at 06:33 PM Reply With Quote
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....
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Bob da builder

posted on 6/4/02 at 02:56 PM Reply With Quote
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.

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MarkD

posted on 7/4/02 at 09:49 PM Reply With Quote
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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stephen_gusterson

posted on 7/4/02 at 10:49 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
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?



According to the first edition of 'the book' there is a bit where they say they did use gloss (in the bit the kid wrote at end) and it stinks for a while and is then ok.


Alternatively, it melts, looks crap, and sets the car alight, but thats the pessimist in me.

I used Halfords black engine enamel. Goes on really nicely - two coats look best - and a tin should be good for a block - recon it cost about 5 - 10 quid if i recall.

Their exhaust paint is no where near so nice - goes on like that powdered stuff they make you use in art at school.


ATB

Steve

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Jasper

posted on 13/5/02 at 01:52 PM Reply With Quote
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.
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barrie sharp

posted on 15/5/02 at 07:49 PM Reply With Quote
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)
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JohnFol

posted on 16/5/02 at 07:15 AM Reply With Quote
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.

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Jasper

posted on 22/5/02 at 11:12 AM Reply With Quote
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?
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Spyderman

posted on 27/5/02 at 01:22 PM Reply With Quote
Just use cheap as you can get cellulose thinner for cleaning.
It is usually cheaper than cleaning solvents.

Terry

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steve m

posted on 27/5/02 at 10:07 PM Reply With Quote
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

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Jasper

posted on 28/5/02 at 06:48 PM Reply With Quote
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.
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Jon Ison

posted on 28/5/02 at 08:22 PM Reply With Quote
told you......... tractol's the stuff
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stephen_gusterson

posted on 28/5/02 at 09:48 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
out of interst,has any one on here actually used houshold gloss ? before i start painting

regards
steve



YES.

I suggest you use undercoat, even though the tin might say otherwise.

atb

steve

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Liam

posted on 28/5/02 at 11:57 PM Reply With Quote
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






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Jon Ison

posted on 29/5/02 at 04:15 PM Reply With Quote
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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stephen_gusterson

posted on 29/5/02 at 06:17 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
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


ermm, i have a secret wepopn up my sleeve that i nearly posted yesterday as my pic. Testing it on my 14 year old, we both reconed it was OTT. However, if you are asking for it, im prepared to put it up......


atb

steve

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