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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Paint for black chassis items

Paint has become so expensive in the last few years. £22 for 750ml of Hammerite when one used to get a full litre for £9.95 BC.

What sensible alternative is there for small parts and for touching up chassis parts.
Not that it's any cheaper, but can one use standard outdoor household gloss paint sold for 'wood and metal'. Sold in the adverts as chip resistant with images of children vigorously bashing toys and hammers against skirting boards! 🤣
GuyW

For small stuff I like Rustoleum Hardhat aerosol paint, for larger stuff I normally use Teamac Metalcote plant enamel from the local farm supply place. I haven't used Hammerite in years but when I did I usually sprayed it as I found it was difficult to maintain a wet edge when brushing due to the rapid solvent, I understand they've reformulated it but haven't tried the new stuff.
David Billington

Probably answering my own question now but when I came home and looked through my store of paints I found several tins of CombiColour. Made by Rustoleum brand. I had forgotten about that entirely, but quite liked it for brushing as it flows well and doesn't show the brush marks. Don't have any black though, but I think I will try that on Monday.
GuyW

I can recommend the Combi Colour in black. Like you say goes on really well, good coverage and brushmarks dissapear. I did buy it to roller it onto hardtop and dry brush out but chickened out and used an aerosol instead !
Mike Fairclough

Another fan of Rustoleum Combicolor here. Used it on the underside of the Frog (black and green), underbonnet and under rear deck and for all black chassis parts, rear axle, prop shaft, hood frame (grey) and other accessories. Wrought iron garden gate as well. Better than the modern Hammerite imv.
Bill Bretherton

Yes - use any old tins that you already have, they don't make it like they used to! If I need more I do as Dave does and go to my local farm supply. They sell stuff from Kramp, not cheap but it covers well and lasts; also seems to be fine painted directly on to wirebrushed and degreased iron/steel parts such as engine blocks and suspension without needing a primer.
AdrianR

I've used POR15. It is properly not cheap, but so far is very hard wearing and easily applied
Rob Armstrong

Guy

As others have said, Tractol enamel from my local agricultural suppliers and slowly using up my old tin, see: https://www.smithandallan.com/product/tractol-paint-tractol-329-paint-00-e-53-black-3030 (you can buy a coach enamel version too: Tekaloid).Also bought something similar from the nearby Massey Ferguson dealers which was MF branded.

I see what you mean about price these days.

The Locost builders internet discussion forum has many such threads of paint for their mild steel spaceframe chassis. I do remember a book about building 750 Formula racing cars on using domestic metal paint.

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2024 and 05/09/2024

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