painting wheel arches

[Benn]

Mines Arden blue too..

[crombievts]

ah that looks good. is that hammerite smooth blue

[Benn]

Yep. Wire brushed off by hand then painted. Been done the right way now tho.

[crombievts]

did it last. need cleaned much

[Benn]

I washed them every time i did the car. Was on over a year and had no probs.

[crombievts]

nice. i bought 25 75ml paint brushes of ebay so ill crack on when it all arrives

[crombievts]

today i soaked the wheel arches in g101, left for 20 mins then power washed them. thier looking mint now so its in the shed drying out

[Benn]

Leave it for as long as you can, you want it BONE dry. As you don't wanna seal any water in.

[crombievts]

i was hoping to do it at the weekend. im going to remove the coilovers thru the week and towel dry as much as i can

[Benn]

Can you get a heater in there? Its up to you how long you leave them to dry. But the longer the better...

[crombievts]

ye i could get a heater in there. id rather not trap any water lol. im going to take up polishing. i learned tonight what a clay bar is and how to use it lol.

[Benn]

Good good, start saving.. It be comes a money spending hobbie...

[crombievts]

is painting going to be easier with the front wings and coilovers removed

[GaryVaux]

is painting going to be easier with the front wings and coilovers removed

yes


As for the paint, if you want to spray them arden blue, go for it. Etch prime (upol aerosol, pink can) then spray on the paint, followed with lacquer.

Or brush on hammerite/whatever paint you have (both will give good results in the wheel arch)

check my nova project thread near the begining (i sprayed my whole floorpan in flame red with 2k lacquer)

[crombievts]

i have taken the rear bumper of. would it be ok to paint the rear valance thing with the blue hammerite as its not seen. more just to protect it from the scottish salt

[GaryVaux]

i have taken the rear bumper of. would it be ok to paint the rear valance thing with the blue hammerite as its not seen. more just to protect it from the scottish salt

yep just the usual make sure its all clean etc

If your using hammerite for the inner arches, why not mix in a a teaspoon of silver hammerite to make it look metalic? just an idea

hammerite in action:
my van


my astra sri:

[crombievts]

that looks good. ill make it all clean tomorro and sand the surface rust/dust of and hopefully it will be dry by the weekend

[GaryVaux]

nice one Its a bit of a thankless boring job, but imo looks great when done

[crombievts]

i have plenty time to do it. is it a big job to remove the rear axle to paint and pollybush

[GaryVaux]

i have plenty time to do it. is it a big job to remove the rear axle to paint and pollybush

Not really, worst part is disconecting the brake lines as they tend to seize

Disconect handbrake cable, brake pipes, shocks, then its only the two bolts holding the rear beam.
Hacksaw off the outside of each bush, then hammer out (easier way is to get a long bit of threaded rod, put a small washer (smaller diameter to the bush on the outside of one bush, and a big washer/plate on the other)

Tighten up the nut and it will pull one bush out, swap the small washer and the big washer/plate around and pull the other bush out.

wire brush with a drill/grinder, paint. Then polly pushes as simply pushed in by hand (use some rubber grease if you can get it, prevents them from squeaking. Normal grease may attack the polyurethane. i use lockheed red rubber grease)

[tomo2k9]

iv always wanted to spray my wheel arches i cleaned them all with a wire brush they cam out pritty clean but i wouldent mind cleaning them up some more and spraying them, mite have ago of them