Morris Minor Owners Club

I'd be interested to hear members' recommendation on the most hard-wearing paint to use for suspension components, the axle casing and parts such as brake drums.

I've used Hammerite Smoothrite in the past, which gives a nice finish, but think I'm right in saying that it's not as tough as the hammered finish version. However, I wonder if there's a better option I've overlooked?

Thanks all!

When we restored the Minor 18 years ago, I used 'Smooth' Hammerite on all the suspension parts, after 'shot' blasting them, and when totally dismantling it earlier this year for a complete respray, I was very pleased to find that the paint was very much intact. The odd stone chip and other cosmetic marks, but nothing that a light rub down and re-paint with Smooth Hammerite again did not sort out completely. Very pleased with the product.

I have used Rustbusters epoxy paint with great success, http://www.rust.co.uk/epoxy-mastic-rust ... nt/c28117/

I use a spray paint indicated for wheel rims. Hard-wearing and good anti-chip properties, says the bottle! Seems to be holding up, though I haven't done many miles since applying it.

The rustbuster product is the one i am planning on using.as i remember,they had 2 products depending on what application it is for.

I have used POR15 on all of mine and it has held up very well
i used hammerite on the torsion bars and it didnt stick well (needs redoing after 5 years)

all was cleaned and degreased beforehand

All suspension parts grit blasted and painted with International Yacht Paints primer, undercoat and 'Baltic Blue' top coat.[frame][/frame]

Hammerite every time

Thanks guys, that's great.

Irmscher, do you mean the smooth Hammerite or the traditional hammered variety?

Also, while I know that Hammerite is not supposed to require a primer, I wonder if a coat of red oxide or somesuch might improve its adhesion and durability? Has anybody tried it?

irmscher wrote:Hammerite every time

I wonder if the formulation of Hammerite has changed over the years. Some years back I had some metal handrails installed at our business and used a tin of the old paint,I think it was called 'Finnegans hammerite 'then. Naturally there wasn't enough so I finished the job with a new tin.
After a couple of years the bits done in the new stuff had deteriorated. The older paint lasted much better.
Both tins were the smooth variety.

If you can afford it, sandblasting and then powder coating does a great job. Bits I had done 20 years ago still look great.

Hammerite / smoothrite needs at least 2 coats and good preparation, ideally sandblasting which gives a good surface to key too. One other trick I've learnt is to bake the paint in an oven at about 80c. Might not go down well in the kitchen though!

SteveClem wrote:

irmscher wrote:Hammerite every time

I wonder if the formulation of Hammerite has changed over the years. Some years back I had some metal handrails installed at our business and used a tin of the old paint,I think it was called 'Finnegans hammerite 'then. Naturally there wasn't enough so I finished the job with a new tin.
After a couple of years the bits done in the new stuff had deteriorated. The older paint lasted much better.
Both tins were the smooth variety.

I had an old tin of black smoothrite and painted 2 gates, Then i got a new tin and it was as if it had no pigment and when i painted it on it looked see through, After a bit of looking i found an old tin and the old tin felt heavier and worked a treat, The only difference i could put it down to is that the new tin had "akzonobel" written on it, So maybe a new formula.

Akzo Nobel is the company that makes the paint .I think with all the EU directives there is probably something missing we aren't allowed to use

On this side of the Atlantic, Rustoleum makes a paint called "Appliance Epoxy." Very very durable.

I use Brantho Korrux 3 in 1 and it is really good.
http://brantho-korrux.co.uk/page4.html
Regards
Declan

Oldmogman wrote:Thanks guys, that's great.

Irmscher, do you mean the smooth Hammerite or the traditional hammered variety?

Also, while I know that Hammerite is not supposed to require a primer, I wonder if a coat of red oxide or somesuch might improve its adhesion and durability? Has anybody tried it?

A Minor I bought had on the underside, green (hammered finish) Hammerite applied over pink-coloured Finnegans (Number 1?) primer. It certainly appeared to last out well enough for the 2 or so years I used the car.

Declan_Burns wrote:I use Brantho Korrux 3 in 1 and it is really good.
http://brantho-korrux.co.uk/page4.html
Regards
Declan

That Looks like really good stuff - available in spray and cans. Many thanks for the tip.

I normally steer well clear of B and Q, but I have to admit their fortress gloss black enamel is really good paint, holding up really well, done various parts with it over the past few years. I did the rear suspension and the axle casing last year and have just done all of the front suspension with it.

The other good one is Tractol, its available from Smith and Allen in the UK.