Chassis Painting

[davidimurray]

Hello

Well I'm getting close to having the majority of little bits and bobs welded to the chassis so I'm getting to the point where I either need to get the car on wheels, or strip the chassis and get it painted and ready for panelling. The problem with the first option is that a friend of mine offered to machine the end of the wishbone tubes back in November - they are still not done and trying to get the tubes back off him is proving troublesome :mad: The reason getting on with the painting popped to mind is because I'm due to be going on shift work (4 days, 2 off, 4 nights, 2 off etc) in June for 3 weeks. During this time I can't see me getting much work on the roadster done. So my idea is to paint the chassis before I go on shifts, which will give the paint a few weeks to harden.

I'm thinking of using Expoxy Mastic 121 - http://www.rust.co.uk/epoxy-mastic.cfm - which I think AshG used on his car. What is the general consensus as to how to apply it. Spray, brush or roller? I've got a compressor and a big cheap spray gun but I'm thinking I should try and get a better smaller gun to get into those awkward areas - anyone got any reccomendations - I know nothing about spray painting! Also what sort of quantity of paint am I likely to need - will 5l be enough?

Cheers

Dave

[Bonzo]

Funny you should mention Epoxy Mastic 121 Dave .... I have just used some of that to do my wishbones :D

Spraying would be quite quick but would tend to be a little wastefull, I would imagine it would need a fair bit of thinning.

Personaly, I would go for a small radiator roller ( Sponge one ) & flitch brush for the few areas that the roller won't reach ;)

I brush painted the wishbones, it left a fair few brush marks .... Probably my own fault for using a soft brush that was a tad small :o

It gave the wishbones a cracking coat of paint though .... Just need to give them a light rub down and layer of top coat & the job will be a good un.

Nothing wrong with the finish as it is, just top coating out of personal preference :)

EDIT

5 litres should be stacks !!

The 121 I bought was probably 1 litre when mixed .... It took about 1/4 litre to paint all the wishbones & rear uprights .... I still have a fair bit left.

[Bonzo]

Here's a picture of some of the parts that have been brush painted with Epoxy Mastic 121

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj266/Bonzoronnie/100_0434.jpg

I have used 2 pack epoxy on quite a few Marine projects & it has never dissappointed :)


Oh bugger .... I have just given a sneak preview of my Saturn scuttle :D :D

[davidimurray]

Cheers Ronnie - brush/roller seems like a good option - also means I can rope the girlfriend in to help as she likes painting and she is very good and patient. Would also be a lot lessy messy and not require me to sheet over everything in the garage to catch the overspray in the air. I'm liking the red - looking forward to seeing the finished product :D

[Bonzo]

Your definately right there Dave, overspray can be a real pain.

Rust-buster do reccommend a sponge roller for aplication but I prefer the cotton type as they tend to be able to get into the awkward places a bit better .... Just watch out for bits of fluff from the roller whilst new ;)

I think re-painting the chassis is on my next to do list .... After spending the best part of 100 hours on my build during the last few weeks, I am beginning to feel a little frayed around the edges :eek:

100 hours may sound a lot but at the pace I am able to work at , probably 20-30 hours of work for most :o

The build is going in the right direction though, once the chassis is re-painted I will be able to fit the engine & gearbox :cool: