Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: TurboFource on Sunday,August 06, 2023, 06:32:10 AM
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I was wondering what people have been using to paint their engine compartments?
It would have been easier to do this before I lowered the body onto the chassis yesterday but standing on a ladder to do such things does not appeal to me :-\
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I had enough base coat paint every time I painted a panel. Of course I went to extremes and sanded the compartment smooth after troweling on a mixture of resin and glass fibers.
Are you going to paint the firewall also ? If so just use Krylon color max . I used this in the front radiator area. Your choice of satin, flat or gloss.
Dakazman
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I have found that Rust-oleum Flatt Black #7776 when brushed on blended perfectly with the original, unrestored front compartment black. The brush marks blend with the raw fiberglass matt fibers. It is oil based and takes a while to dry but after a few days the sheen dulls down.
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Thanks for the replies!
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I am still thinking I will use blue/grey Zolatone.
May use a similar bed liner.
Not liking black as I like to be able to SEE in the engine compartment.
Car is modified anyway so this minor indiscretion should be OK.
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Richard,
I am considering gray also.
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+1 on Zolatone. Covers a multitude of surface imperfections.
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+1 on the flat black Rustoleum, though I used a rattle can. Matches original paint perfectly, but I blasted the old off since it was flaking badly. Easily touched up too.
Jerry Rude
4005R
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I like shiny! Smooth and easy to clean. It footage long.
Dakazman
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That looks great D’man! How long did it take to get it so smooth?
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I’m going to say 16 hours . First sand with 60 grit, just to get the high and loose fibers off, then trowel on resin with mixed in “fiber dust” . Like sawdust particles but glass particles, or just use veil.
Then sand with 180 , prime., sand , prime sand and paint. It actually smells better than the dirt smell of some cars.
Dakazman
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+1 on Zolatone. Covers a multitude of surface imperfections.
I've done a few cars (I know...sound like a broken record...) with bed liner. A lot more durable than rattle can (not that there is anything wrong with rattle cans, just preference) and the satin finish hides a multitude of sins. Learned the trick of using it when rebuilding 693R, and had to splice in the openings to the rear suspension cross member in the rear to repair a (D)PO's hack job who was going to put in a twin link on a damaged chassis. Paint both sides (engine room and wheel arch sides) with the stuff...doubt the current owner even knows that there are patches in the body...
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That looks good too Bryan!
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Disappointed to find that the Blue/Grey Zolotone I bought in the past is no longer readily available.
Other colors can work but I am searching for the Blue/Grey.