Advice on painting brake pipes

[Raynkar]

I want to paint my brake pipes, partly as part of a refurb, and partly to protect them.

What do people use, and what is acceptable for MOT rules?

[227bhp]

I'd use some black, red always gets a fail.

[GreenV8S]

227bhp said:

red always gets a fail.

Being painted isn't grounds for rejection, is it?

[sgtBerbatov]

Personally I would want a light colour, just so that it would make idenfitifcation of rust or seepage a bit easier to see.

I would use something like Plastikote, it's a rubberised/plastic paint which can peel off but it's quite hard wearing and easy to apply. Brake lines from the manufacturer come coated in plastic, so it makes sense to do something similar along those lines.

[OnTheEdge]

sgtBerbatov said:

I would use something like Plastikote, it's a rubberised/plastic paint which can peel off but it's quite hard wearing and easy to apply.

Plasti Dip. Plastikote make normal acrylic/enamel spray paint.

[Oldandslow]

Usual method is clean them and smear with light coat of grease. Painting looks like you're hiding corrosion.

[Raynkar]

Oldandslow said:

Usual method is clean them and smear with light coat of grease. Painting looks like you're hiding corrosion.

That’s a bit unfortunate then
The whole underside, including suspension, roll bars, subframes, exhaust, sills mounts, shocks, knuckles, arms, arches and body have just been painted

[InitialDave]

What about clearcoat? Should offer some protection, but not hide damage.

[sgtBerbatov]

OnTheEdge said:

sgtBerbatov said:

I would use something like Plastikote, it's a rubberised/plastic paint which can peel off but it's quite hard wearing and easy to apply.

Plasti Dip. Plastikote make normal acrylic/enamel spray paint.

Yes that's the one

[silentbrown]

Painting brake pipes is a bit like painting nuts and bolts. Will just look wrong. If they're looking scabby it's probably easiest to just replace them.

[Raynkar]

silentbrown said:

Painting brake pipes is a bit like painting nuts and bolts. Will just look wrong. If they're looking scabby it's probably easiest to just replace them.

I paint nuts and bolts too
In fact, as per above, everything is getting painted.


IMO, this smaller bolt in galvanised effect matches the brand new larger galvanised bolt quite nicely. I spray the brand new bolts too for extra protection. I’ve saved around £500 so far by refurbing non vital fixings.

But then I prefer a fresh look, so prefer this refurbed look.


To how it was before

[Dave Brand]

I hope you don't spray over the thread lock as shown on the lower bolt in your picture!

[Coilspring]

Raynkar said:

I paint nuts and bolts too
In fact, as per above, everything is getting painted.


IMO, this smaller bolt in galvanised effect matches the brand new larger galvanised bolt quite nicely. I spray the brand new bolts too for extra protection. I’ve saved around £500 so far by refurbing non vital fixings.

But then I prefer a fresh look, so prefer this refurbed look.


To how it was before

How do you calculate the saving of the over £500.

Painting nuts and bolts. That is a new 1 on me.

[Raynkar]

Coilspring said:

How do you calculate the saving of the over £500.

Painting nuts and bolts. That is a new 1 on me.

The calculation is simple. It’s the cost the replacement fittings would have been, minus the cost of refurbing the existing fittings.

Some fittings would be: bright zinc, passivated gold zinc, galvanised or satin black when new.
I can zinc plate, or spray with black or galvanised effect to match the new condition.
As many fixings are painted when new it’s hardly rocket science to paint them when refurbing them.

The original idea was to keep the spend on brand new fixings to £200 or below, but I won’t be able to keep it that low.