What is a good paint to use for the underside of the bodY?
Discussion
Think there may be a cross purpose in the first reply.
So are we talking...painting the inside of a body panel or painting the underside of the car ie the ali skin and perhaps part of the sill as it wraps under?
Either way the (UK) answer is Hammerite Stone Chip. Not sure if this is available in the US. As the name says it is a stone chip protection which dries but remains soft. It is a bitumastic type paint which sprays on beautifully and covers well. The added benefit is that it can very easily be touched up when required.
I also use it for the front splitter which has a tendency to touch curbs when parking. Mask the body then spray the splitter. When you need to do some touch up the masked edge will not need doing again so just hold a piece of cardboard against the masked edge whilst spraying. When my car is not in the garage you can see where it is normally parked by the crescent of black overspray on the garage floor.
Steve
So are we talking...painting the inside of a body panel or painting the underside of the car ie the ali skin and perhaps part of the sill as it wraps under?
Either way the (UK) answer is Hammerite Stone Chip. Not sure if this is available in the US. As the name says it is a stone chip protection which dries but remains soft. It is a bitumastic type paint which sprays on beautifully and covers well. The added benefit is that it can very easily be touched up when required.
I also use it for the front splitter which has a tendency to touch curbs when parking. Mask the body then spray the splitter. When you need to do some touch up the masked edge will not need doing again so just hold a piece of cardboard against the masked edge whilst spraying. When my car is not in the garage you can see where it is normally parked by the crescent of black overspray on the garage floor.
Steve
This sort-of reminds me of the old under-seal job for new cars in the 70's - 80's.
One problem was that corrosion would creep about under the layer unseen. bearing in mind that we have ali panels connected to steel chassis, this might promote the problem (speculation)? Yes, our cars tend not to go out regularly in the wet, but....
Any experiences?
One problem was that corrosion would creep about under the layer unseen. bearing in mind that we have ali panels connected to steel chassis, this might promote the problem (speculation)? Yes, our cars tend not to go out regularly in the wet, but....
Any experiences?
Do most builders tend to paint the underside of the car alu panels? Just wondered as mine will be starting soon and this was an early question.
Steve_D said:
Think there may be a cross purpose in the first reply.
So are we talking...painting the inside of a body panel or painting the underside of the car ie the ali skin and perhaps part of the sill as it wraps under?
Either way the (UK) answer is Hammerite Stone Chip. Not sure if this is available in the US. As the name says it is a stone chip protection which dries but remains soft. It is a bitumastic type paint which sprays on beautifully and covers well. The added benefit is that it can very easily be touched up when required.
I also use it for the front splitter which has a tendency to touch curbs when parking. Mask the body then spray the splitter. When you need to do some touch up the masked edge will not need doing again so just hold a piece of cardboard against the masked edge whilst spraying. When my car is not in the garage you can see where it is normally parked by the crescent of black overspray on the garage floor.
Steve
So are we talking...painting the inside of a body panel or painting the underside of the car ie the ali skin and perhaps part of the sill as it wraps under?
Either way the (UK) answer is Hammerite Stone Chip. Not sure if this is available in the US. As the name says it is a stone chip protection which dries but remains soft. It is a bitumastic type paint which sprays on beautifully and covers well. The added benefit is that it can very easily be touched up when required.
I also use it for the front splitter which has a tendency to touch curbs when parking. Mask the body then spray the splitter. When you need to do some touch up the masked edge will not need doing again so just hold a piece of cardboard against the masked edge whilst spraying. When my car is not in the garage you can see where it is normally parked by the crescent of black overspray on the garage floor.
Steve
Edited by barriejames on Tuesday 28th January 16:29
Edited by barriejames on Tuesday 28th January 16:34
I was only interested in painting the underside of the fiberglass. So far I have one very hard finish and one very soft.
I have used Duratec a few times, this is a boatbuilders secret, it can be sprayed by itself or mixed with gelcoat allowing gel cot to be sprayed through a finer tip gun. It uses MEKEP as it catalyst so you need to watch the clock and clean the gun well. It bonds well with fiberglass has nice finish and is tuff as nails, but I am always looking for a better solution.
I have used Duratec a few times, this is a boatbuilders secret, it can be sprayed by itself or mixed with gelcoat allowing gel cot to be sprayed through a finer tip gun. It uses MEKEP as it catalyst so you need to watch the clock and clean the gun well. It bonds well with fiberglass has nice finish and is tuff as nails, but I am always looking for a better solution.
I am going to disagree with Steve...........................if I dare!
Hammerite used to be a good paint (1970's / early 80's). In my opinion it is now carp! Most other paints will blister/bubble/react to Hammerite so you tend to be forced to use only Hammerite products. The smooth paints are as thin as dishwater too.
My car is painted including the ally too. I used a black body schutz by 3M which can be overpainted and then used a 2 pack black paint for the rest including the glass fibre clip undersides.
I know these are products that are usually only supplied to "professional users" but they can be sourced if you try.
Paul
Hammerite used to be a good paint (1970's / early 80's). In my opinion it is now carp! Most other paints will blister/bubble/react to Hammerite so you tend to be forced to use only Hammerite products. The smooth paints are as thin as dishwater too.
My car is painted including the ally too. I used a black body schutz by 3M which can be overpainted and then used a 2 pack black paint for the rest including the glass fibre clip undersides.
I know these are products that are usually only supplied to "professional users" but they can be sourced if you try.
Paul
Storer said:
I am going to disagree with Steve...........................if I dare!
Hammerite used to be a good paint (1970's / early 80's). In my opinion it is now carp! .......
I'm not sure you are disagreeing with me.Hammerite used to be a good paint (1970's / early 80's). In my opinion it is now carp! .......
In my post I was saying use Hammerite Stone Chip paint which is very good and remains soft so resists the impact of stones.
In another post I said do not use Hammerite Smoothrite....because I agree with you, it is carp.
Steve
Does Southways have shares in the owners of Hammerite?????
I get it chaps......you like their stone chip paint!
I am lucky I suppose in having access to professional products and equipment.
Spent most of the day painting parts for my box pan folder and "cooking" the paint on in an old oven!
Paul
I get it chaps......you like their stone chip paint!
I am lucky I suppose in having access to professional products and equipment.
Spent most of the day painting parts for my box pan folder and "cooking" the paint on in an old oven!
Paul
No paint looks good and saves weight of a pot of paint 
. With the high Ultima Sports quality panels they will take a lot of corrosion abuse. Let's face it, most of us don't drive on wet roads, let alone salty roads and if you do, and are as paranoid as I am, then you will wash, dry and polish the underneath anyway
. With the high Ultima Sports quality panels they will take a lot of corrosion abuse. Let's face it, most of us don't drive on wet roads, let alone salty roads and if you do, and are as paranoid as I am, then you will wash, dry and polish the underneath anyway I will bring to everyone's attention that the factory calls for the fiberglass to be painted on the underside. this caution was brought home one day when part of the body was back lit by direct sunlight and the ugly changes in color that showed on the gel coat side due to differences in thickness of materiel and gel coat made a believer of me. I used PPG Shopline JP377 its 15,000 miles old and nary a ding in it yet. Lee
Ult-Jim said:
No paint looks good and saves weight of a pot of paint . With the high Ultima Sports quality panels they will take a lot of corrosion abuse. Let's face it, most of us don't drive on wet roads, let alone salty roads and if you do, and are as paranoid as I am, then you will wash, dry and polish the underneath anyway
Way too precious Jim.. With the high Ultima Sports quality panels they will take a lot of corrosion abuse. Let's face it, most of us don't drive on wet roads, let alone salty roads and if you do, and are as paranoid as I am, then you will wash, dry and polish the underneath anyway Took mine to Le Mans last year. Rained most of the way there. Once booked, are you going to throw away £1250 or go.
I would rather use mine and refresh when required. Over 6000 miles in less than 2 years so far!
Paul
I will rub my nose in it after a Petrol head Nirvana weekend in Wales in May booked this year, if it rains. . Other thoughts, on the ramps, polish it giving myself an upper body work out at the same time and then protect, otherwise what about a wrap??. Been on the red big tonight talking political shop.
. Other thoughts, on the ramps, polish it giving myself an upper body work out at the same time and then protect, otherwise what about a wrap??. Been on the red big tonight talking political shop.
AHHHHH!
}.
Storer said:
Does Southways have shares in the owners of Hammerite?????
I get it chaps......you like their stone chip paint!
I am lucky I suppose in having access to professional products and equipment.
Spent most of the day painting parts for my box pan folder and "cooking" the paint on in an old oven!
Paul
Haha. No I don't have shares, but with the amount we have bought over the years you would think they'd offer a discount?I get it chaps......you like their stone chip paint!
I am lucky I suppose in having access to professional products and equipment.
Spent most of the day painting parts for my box pan folder and "cooking" the paint on in an old oven!
Paul
The other reason it gets my vote is because it smells nice!
(I've not been involved with Southways for nearly two years now!!)
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff