MGA Forum

Welcome! Sign In Register

Please Sign In or Register to Search

Paint and Body work wisdom

Posted by mgamike

MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey, Jaguar, Classic British Car Restoration Parts & Accessories

Want to advertise your business in this space? Click here for more information!

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

Paint and Body work wisdom #1
mgamike Michael Beitenhaus Cincinnati, Ohio, USA 1960 MG MGA 1600	Posted: March 24, 2012 01:27PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 33

I would appreciate any advice about painting my car. When I bought my 1960 MGA 1600 I knew that I would have to repaint it. It has a seemingly well-adhered coat of corvette yellow, that I would like to change. In addition the fender welting was painted so that will be replaced. I have painted panels of cars before with very good results but never a complete car. I plan to use acrylic enamel. Since MGA bodys can be disassembled does it make sense to try to lay the doors and fenders out in a horizontal orientation (saw horses and tables) in order to prevent runs when spraying?
Also, in the past I have used Bondo for repairs but I am wondering if that is the best choice for the aluminum doors that have a few small parking lot dings that should be filled since I am switching to a darker color. Thanks, Michael B

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: Paint and Body work wisdom #2
2mgs4doors Harry Rathvon Akron,Penna, USA 1951 MG TD 1958 MG Magnette ZB 1960 MG Magnette MkIII 1961 MG MGA 1600 Coupe	Posted: March 24, 2012 02:17PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 181

I'm sure this will get a ton of responses.......alot depends if you're just doing a paint job or full restoration.....a full resto means painting both sides of everything body color!

Reply Quote

Re: Paint and Body work wisdom #3
willysmb ken klay london, United Kingdom 1956 MG MGA "Money Pit"	Posted: March 24, 2012 03:15PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 351

Re Painting ...

my "A" being painted ...

Try to hang everything Vertical ...less surface area for dust etc to drop onto ...

Clean, clean, ...and clean..re prep work .

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: Paint and Body work wisdom #4
HL Miller Henry Miller Chair City, NC, USA	Posted: March 24, 2012 03:21PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 860

On the aluminum, just be sure to use a filler that says it's OK for use on aluminum - Rage Extreme is one good brand . Laying the panels flat is just personal preference- whatever works best for you. I like to hang them vertically because in my shop, which doesn't have a real booth, I get less dust nibs in the paint. Other painters I know lay them flat for the reasons you mentioned and it works well too.

Reply Quote

Re: Paint and Body work wisdom #5
jclars John Larsen Lynden, WA, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500 Coupe 1965 MG MGB 1970 MG MGB	Posted: March 24, 2012 05:41PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 2,308

I recommend looking at www.autobodystore.com It has a forum with a database of topics that will help in answering many questions and is monitored by many professionals, so the advice is usually very sound.

If you have painted panels successfully, you shouldnt have any difficulty with the whole car. However, it does become a marathon on painting day, so you need to give yourself plenty of time.

The new paints and HVLP guns are great to work with.

I used an aluminum etching solution prior to applying primer to help adhesion. I think it is recommended practice for bare aluminum.

John L.

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: Paint and Body work wisdom #6
horse1936 rick m ky, USA 1959 MG MGA 1970 MG Midget MkIII	Posted: March 24, 2012 08:08PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 163

Not a pro but I would definitely remove all panels and paint separately. I prefer horizontal for the reason you specified. The best would be to strip all old paint to bare metal, etch primer then sanding primer. If that is too daunting, the wet sand your old paint first with 220 then with 400 until all surfaces are flat and uniform. An original color acrylic enamel with hardener is a good choice. This can be color sanded with 1500 then 2500 then buffed to get a nice driver finish.

Reply Quote

Re: Paint and Body work wisdom #7
Neil MG Neil McGurk Cumbria, United Kingdom 1956 Morris Minor 1958 MG MGA 1960 MG MGA 1961 MG MGA 1966 Jaguar Mark 2 → more	Posted: March 25, 2012 03:32AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 1,485

On the horizontal vs vertical question I would recommend vertical for two reasons:

The obvious one is to minimise dust, but for me the more important one is for paint finish.

That might sound strange because actually you will not get a better finish just by the fact that it is vertical. The key point is that you are relying on your spraying for the finish not gravity and so you have to apply a more even coat. If you have the panel horizontal "to avoid runs" then there is the temptation to put on too much paint. The edges and those parts of the panels that are not horizontal will therefore be prone to runs, sagging or dry paint. You will have an uneven paint thickness and paint finish. The tops of the doors and wings are the most visible part of the car and the paint finish there is critical.

An additional benefit is that when spraying a vertical surface the spray gun is held upright and the air line is away from the surface.

Reply Quote

Re: Paint and Body work wisdom #8
mgamike Michael Beitenhaus Cincinnati, Ohio, USA 1960 MG MGA 1600	Posted: March 25, 2012 05:43AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 33

Thank you fellow automotive anglophiles for the advice. I think hanging the parts vertically wins out because I will have a better shot at both sides. John you are right. The www.autobodystore.com site is a great resource. Now to get on with the sanding. thanks, Michael

Reply Quote

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

RSS

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute

MGB & GT · MG Midget · Buy, Sell & Trade · Vendor & Group Buy · MG Engine Swaps · Original MG · MGA · MGC · MG Magnette · 1100 & 1300 · T-Series & Prewar · Modern MGs · MG Motorsports · MG-2013 Event · Member Meetup · Other Vehicles · Off Topic · Clubs

Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Check the Forum Help File (FAQ) or contact the webmaster.
View the archived version of this thread.
Built using Phorum Open Source Software

The MG Experience

www.mgexp.com

MGA Forum

Paint and Body work wisdom

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!Members Sign In if you've already registered, orRegister a New AccountRegistration is free and takes less than a minute

Join Our Club

MGExp Menu

—

Adjust Text Size

More to Explore

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute