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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Underbody paint

Just thought I would ask about your experiences with painting the underside of a midget.
I'm up to the stage where I can start thinking about doing this on my Sprite. It has already been etch primed and under body sealed but that was done about 2 or more years ago by the PO.
So what options do I have? I've discounted 2 pack as I don't have any suitable air fed mask and I think it would be too hard over a soft underbody sealant which I would imagine would be prone to cracking.
So what options have I got? I'm quite willing to spray celly, or what passes for celly these days, or even brush paint it underneath.
Anyone tried oil based paint, or any other sort of paint?
What were your experiences?

Rob
MG Moneypit

My plan for the underside of the Frog is:

Acid etch primer
Epoxy-mastic 121 (Rustbuster Ltd. http://www.rust.co.uk/ )
Stone chip (see http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/stonechip.htm )
Then finish with a sprayed colour coat, probably in celly.
GuyW

Guy,

I used the Rustbuster Epoxy Mastic on my shell, it is very good and is a very durable coating and seems to take any over painting types I tried - however make sure you have a well vented area and use the correct type of mask for solvents !

Yes the solvent is very strong - I also had a 12" extractor fan running as well as garage door open + mask.

R.
richard b

Thanks Richard, that's helpful advice,
GuyW

Well thanks for the info but the shell has already been etch primed and sealed with sprayed on stone chip or something similar. I don't propose to strip it all off and start again so would really like to explore alternatives to spraying celly (or Acrylic as it is now).

Rob
MG Moneypit

No of course I wouldn't suggest you strip it off again Rob! Sounds like yours has pretty much the same as I plan to do anyway. Just a different primer I imagine.
GuyW

Anyone tried a close matched colour from a high street paint seller? Someone like B&Q and brush painted on?

Is coach paint still available? Is brushing enamel still available? There used to be a paint that could be applied with roller. Does it still exist?

I'm after something easy to apply, easy to patch up and soft enough to ensure it doesn't crack due to impact when applied over softer stone chip. Does such a paint exist?

Rob
MG Moneypit

http://combicolor.co.uk/metal-paint.html

brush applied but brush strokes do pretty well entirely disappear


GuyW

Guy, did you apply direct to metal, primed first etc? It's got a nice shine to it.
Wonder how it would react to stone chip?

Rob
MG Moneypit

My frog shell was supplied in etch primer. Underneath I seam sealed it then put a coat of black Rustoleum combicolor on, followed by aerosol sprayed UPOL Gravigard (thinned version of Gravitex) then a final coat ofcombicolor in the nearest shade I could get to BRG (which I'm finishing car with in cellulose). The combicolor was mostly rollered on and, as Guy says, the lines disappear. No reactions (but celly on combicolor causes a reaction I've found).
W Bretherton

I used the same brand etch primer. It does dry to a good gloss and brush marks disappeared. It "creeps" to fill the brush strokes but this also means it tends to sag so needs to go on as a thin coat, well brushed out. That photo is just one coat.

It doesn't like contact with cellulose. I used a cellulose based seam sealer. Where the sealer went on first and had about 3 days to dry it was ok. But having missed a bit of seam l added sealer over the paint which immediately wrinkled up. You would need to do some testing.

I also have no experience yet of how long it will last. Ask again in 20 years !
GuyW

Rob
If you end up spraying it, just be a little carefull how much thinners you use over the top of the stoneguard
If you use too much or get a bit heavy handed and not allow plenty of drying time between coats it will end up shrinking back after a year or so and go horrible like dry mud cracks everywhere as the stoneguard goes hard and shrinks
willy
William Revit

Hi,

I've been using this stuff:

http://www.frost.co.uk/eastwood-extreme-chassis-black-946ml-us-quart.html

Seems fairly good.

James
James Paul

This thread was discussed between 19/01/2017 and 26/01/2017

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.