Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rich5ltr]

Chaps, what would be your recommendation for painting the engine bay? I'm looking for a nice satin black finish and a product that comes in aerosols and brush on. I'm looking to do a cosmetic tidy up because I won't be having the engine out. POR 15 and Frosts Chassis Black seem to look favourites and (don't laugh) what about Hammerite satin finish black? Rich...

[Phil - Nottingham]

Actually both look good - the Chassis black is more authentic and durable as it chips less easily than Hammerite
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Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2

[Rich5ltr]

Thanks... no other replies chaps?

[peppiB]

The engine bay of my minor has been painted hammerite satin black for 5 years now. Looks good and not had any problems with it

[bob2]

cant you do it the same colour as the car?
Its just my opinion but I dont like to see satin black engine bays!!
But everyone to their own...

You could buy some cellulose or 2 pack and roller it on, I did so and the finish isnt bad, nothing like a proper spray job but quite similar to the average one and when all ancillaries are re fitted most of it wont show anyway!!
Just needs more time to sand down orange peel after each and every coat.
I gave it 2 coats of primer filler and 4 top coats.
It is important to sand down evenly all the orange peel with 800 wet n dry on the top coats bar the final one which is done with 1200 wet n dry and then use a rubbing compound like farecla G3 followed by G10 and some wax.
The 2 primer coats were sanded down with 600 dry.

[jessejazza]

Hammerite/smoothrite

All i'd say about these products is that they are not petrol or grease resistant. Try painting a small bit of metal, letting the paint cure for a few weeks and then pouring on a little petrol, brake fluid and cellulose and see what happens.

Nice and easy to get hold of but not quite what they are cracked up to be.

Plain polyurethane with white spirit thinners is better quite frankly. A better bet is any of the synthetic paints. Years ago i tried the test with Permobel [not available now] and nothing would mark that paint - it was excellent stuff. I'm trying Tekaloid shortly which is a brushing paint.

[Nic Jarman]

Try a small area first as different bases can cause bubbling or crazing. Also I am with bob2, I do not like black engine bays (unless you have a black car).
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush