I'm going to be filling the ali panel behind the seats soon. I'd like it to be plain black (satin or mat). What are the options to achive this? Are there any spray paints that are OK to use on ali sheet? What sort of primer?

Thoroughly clean with detergent (or better wear rubber gloves and wipe with dilute caustic soda solution in well-ventilated area) then wash off thoroughly to get rid of all greasy fingerprints Rough it up with steel wool or scotchbrite pad, then an etch primer then top coat.

[Edited on 12/8/07 by Macbeast]

Any brand recomendations for the etch primer or top coat?

I'd probably try Halfords Hammerite Special Metals primer and Hammerite top coat.

Slater, just noticed you are just up the road from me, I'm in Kintore. Theres quite a few of us with Sevens around the area, you'll have to give drop us a message when you get the car on the road to go for a blat.

The frame is stiff enough not to need the ali for stiffening so I have used a 4mm ABS panel