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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: rjbaren on Wednesday,January 22, 2020, 07:23:07 PM

Title: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: rjbaren on Wednesday,January 22, 2020, 07:23:07 PM
I had my transaxle gone through by a professional shop and I though I could polish up the case but what I tried didn't do much of anything.  Now I think painting it might be the next best thing, it is a dull grey.  Is there a type or brand of paint and color recommended?
Thank you
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: jbcollier on Wednesday,January 22, 2020, 07:29:51 PM
Seymour Alumi Blast

Looks perfect and is tough as nails after it cures.
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: BDA on Wednesday,January 22, 2020, 07:35:25 PM
Foose used paint on the tranny case when he built the Overhaulin' Europa for SevenUp John so there should be no there should be no stigma. IIRC, they gave it a clear coat after the silver (or aluminum) paint.
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: rjbaren on Wednesday,January 22, 2020, 07:47:25 PM
Thank you.
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: surfguitar58 on Wednesday,January 22, 2020, 10:08:54 PM
Does anyone know for sure if original equipment transaxles were bare aluminum or painted? My 352 that came with the car was bare nekid aluminum and the used 365 I bought was painted Ford grey engine block color.
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: 4129R on Wednesday,January 22, 2020, 11:41:52 PM
All 10 gearboxes I have seen have been bare cast aluminium.

They are quite awkward to clean, but it is worth making them look good, plus you can spot oil leaks quicker with a clean casing.
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: jbcollier on Thursday,January 23, 2020, 06:56:49 AM
+1, bare alloy.
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: Certified Lotus on Thursday,January 23, 2020, 07:41:39 AM
What every you do don’t media blast the exterior. It opens up the aluminum which will then pit. If you had it apart you could tumble it. Best bet is to clean off with Brake clean and a brush then paint.
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: dakazman on Thursday,January 23, 2020, 04:33:51 PM
+1 bare alloy here also.

  I pressure washed and then used baking soda to blast afterward using a hand held sprayer.
Washed off and done. There is nothing that adheres and will last in bare aluminum.
Dakazman
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: jbcollier on Thursday,January 23, 2020, 04:55:02 PM
I have used alone blast on engines, transmissions, alternators, what have you.  It sticks and stays stuck once it cures.
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: surfguitar58 on Thursday,January 23, 2020, 09:14:11 PM
I have used alone blast on engines, transmissions, alternators, what have you.  It sticks and stays stuck once it cures.

JB, What is “alone blast”? Is it baking soda? It sounds like D’man picked up the same cheapo Harbor Fright soda blaster kit I was considering. I thought the benefit of soda was no residue.
t

Edit: you mean Alumiblast previously mentioned. Sorry for the confusion.
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: dakazman on Friday,January 24, 2020, 05:47:04 AM
[quote author=surfguitar

JB, What is “alone blast”? Is it baking soda? It sounds like D’man picked up the same cheapo Harbor Fright soda blaster.

Edit: you mean Alumiblast previously mentioned. Sorry for the confusion.
[/quote]

  Surf , yes it’s a 19$ hand held gun, it works great for small jobs after you do the mod posted on YouTube. I also used it on brass lamps and intricate wood and clay carvings. ( kids projects) Lol.
Dakazman 
Title: Re: Transaxle - paint?
Post by: jbcollier on Friday,January 24, 2020, 06:11:48 AM
"alone blast" is the spell-corrected version of alumi blast, the paint I mentioned above.