OK, now I've got a windscreen instead of the aeroscreen I've got loads of holes on the scuttle where I've moved or removed things. I'm happy I can fill up the holes (probably put a bit of glass over the back of the holes to give the filler some support) and rub it down OK, but what is the best way to paint it?

It's a gel coated fibreglass scuttle, and since it's a smallish piece, for simplicity I would prefer to be able to get a can of Halfrauds spray paint and get on with it. I'm just not sure what sort of primer I would need - I think the ones in Halfrauds are really intended for metal.

So, any advice on type of paint, techniques, types of wet&dry to use, and where to get the materials, please U2U or email me.

Thanks in advance

Simon

[Edited on 05.10.2009 by Humbug]

Halfords sell a plastic filler primer which is a high build primer for spraying on plastic. Ideal for your job. They can sell you colours mixed to your colour code, if your car is a production car colour too.

If I were doing it, I wash the panel and sand with 600 grit to take off the shine and provide a key then dry thoroughly. Spray with 2 coats of filler primer and wet sand to flat. Dry thoroughly. 2 coats of colour or enough to make it opaque, wet sand and dry. 2 or more coats of lacquer and then polish.

PS. An aerosol can doesn't go far. Most of the 300ml contents is propellant. You might cover a square metre with one can, depending on how thick you apply it.

[Edited on 5-10-2009 by smart51]

You might be better using gel coat it you have the rest of the body in GRP and the same color (help to match it..)..

Dan

Thanks for the replies.

Errr - Bluemoon: how would I gel coat it?

btw, I currently have blue grp nose, scuttle and rear panel, black wings and ali side panels, so a slight mismatch for the scuttle probably wouldn't be a disaster

[Edited on 05.10.2009 by Humbug]

Not sure humbug, probably worth starting a new thread, you will also need the RAL color code I guess..

Dan

My local car paint supplier will mix aerosols to your colour and will make up RAL colours too. I did this for my Vortx and the finish was a very good match to the surrounding GRP.

This is what I did:

put some fibreglass matt and apply it to the back of the scuttle with some resin. then mix up some flowcoat and some gelcoat pigment and put them in the hole. Sand the whole lot down and job's a good'un.

Looks like your scuttle is oxford blue in which case I've got some of the pigment if you want.. you only need a very small amount. I used 2%.

West & Senior will colour match Gelcoat pigment if you decide to follow that route....

Thanks for the further replies.

Ben: if you sand it down won't it need repainting/polishing anyway?

I have got so many holes to fill and a fair few scratches so I think I will go the painting route.