Painting

[Bobpipedream]

Hi all,

I have just got myself a series 1.5 2+2 in need of care...

Not too much to do but I will be shot blasting everything after replacing inner rear wheel arches.

Could I ask everyone what paints they use? I plan to use epoxy due to previous annoyance with paints in general. I have air fed mask, big sprayer etc.

I have considered using Jotun Jotamastic 87 for the underside as I know it to be an extremely good paint. I would use it everywhere, but I am concerned that top coats may not be flexible enough as the jotun is a very hard but flexible paint.

For seam sealer, I am thinking of sikaflex 221 over the epoxy.

I have heard of Lechler epoxy too. But what top coat?

Thanks for any suggestion and advice,

Bob

[wol916]

Hi Bob,
Just my opinion so take it or leave it (my father owned a car body shop for about 30 years so I have some experience) in a perfect world money no object then PPG. If like me your doing it yourself at home and want to keep things sane then have a look at KAPCI Coatings as recommended by the paint factor my father used so again a long standing and trusted relationship. They are a mid priced 2K paint, covers well and is easy to apply, some of the cheap paints around have no body and will not cover. I would suggest a quick coat of etch primer over any bare metal before a coat of 2 pack primer. Even though I did all the work myself and bought at trade the paint materials bill was still over a thousand. As I said this is only my opinion and no doubt others will disagree vehemently, all you can do is get all the advice you can then do what you want.

Warren

[Bobpipedream]

Thanks Warren,

Do you know about Lechler? It's recommended by some and 5ltrs is ?200 for top coat and 2.5 ltrs is ?50 or so.

I will take a look at the ones you suggested.

[Dave K]

Bob,

Siksflex 221 is an industrial adhesive not a seam sealer. Go to your local paint suppliers and talk to them about seam sealers.
I don't know if there is any reason you can't use Sikaflex as a seam sealer but it's fairly expensive stuff.

Dave

[Bobpipedream]

Hi Dave,

Sikaflex 221 is about ?15 a tube here and one tube would be enough. I use it a lot on the house. Will have to investigate further!

Just remembered that I have 5 ltrs of Ranthane epoxy primer. It's for aircraft, but may dig out the data sheets...

I would prefer not to use a lacquer coat as just another coat to go wrong, require prep or peel off (I see lots of French cars with peeling lacquer round here!).

[wol916]

Most factors will supply a brushable seam sealer which you can really work into the gaps if you mask each side of the seam the finish is quite neat. Although the original seam sealing by Jaguar was none too neat. As for Lechler I have no experience but the price seems about the same. Don't forget if like me your going for a base and lacquer finish then you will need hardener thinners lacquer etc it all adds up. The advantage of using a solid none metallic one coat colour is that you can do panels in any position and one at a time, so easier to manage. I had to build a booth and paint the whole car assembled in one go because I used metallic.

Warren

[Bobpipedream]

Thanks Warren,

Luckily mine was cream and in desire to be original (and lazy), I will keep it like that!

So I prefer a one coat colour if possible.

[vee12eman]

Hi,

Consider this:

http://www.rust.co.uk/products/category ... sis-paint/

for underbody rust protection. Goes on well with a roller, flexible, can be overpainted and gives a good finish (slightly mottled, but good looking). Got rave reviews from Practical Classics and I covered the underside of my car with it, overpainting the wheel arches, but leaving the underside black, although I originally intended to paint it body colour. A couple of years later I am very pleased. I also painted inside the car for extra protection and sound deadening - seems very effective.

Regards,

Simon

[38E]

Sikaflex 221 makes an excellent seam sealer. I used what was left over after I'd done my bonnet for that purpose.

I wouldn't use the brushable stuff on my wheelbarrow. ;-). In fact, I never considered any air drying finishes of any kind anywhere on the car. I used PPG premium products all the way from bare metal.