Morris Minor Owners Club

I was just reading 'parts for sale' and saw Ray's post -

rayofleamington wrote:

what do you think of fibreglass ones ?

cheaper, don't rot, don't rust at all, don't dent as easily, crack it hit hard and after 10 to 20 years (depending on quality) the gel coat gets spider web cracks and they look a mess (by which time modern steel ones would probably also look a mess)

- which reminded me that I have two front wings and a flip front (all 'glass) to paint. Anyone got any experience/tips on doing it? I've read some people who swear you need some sort of flexi additive for the paint, and people who say you definitely don't, for instance, and I still haven't found any advice on primer...

Andrew, you will need to flat the panels with 240 paper. Then etch prime, two coats followed directly with a high build primer 3-4 coats, spray on guide coat and wet flat with 600-800. Finish topcoat 3-4 coats then if you want a good finish flat off with 2000 grit wet and cut then polish to a gloss. You do not need a flexi/plasticiser additive in the paint.
Do you intend on spraying with cellulose or 2K. If using cellulose don't fall into the trap that some folk on this forum have and think you do not need adequate ventilation and breathing equipment. Particle masks are no good for protection ,you should wear a toxic mask, ans don't breath in the thinners fumes. Your lungs will soon object.

Cheers - the very man I was hoping for! It'll be Celly, and probably outside - I'm not going for a great finish, but do want it to stay on the panels. I have the appropriate mask/filters and gear, so don't worry - just have to wait till the weather perks up and the neighbours go away for the weekend

Jonathon, is that a normal etch primer like you use for bare metal?

Cheers

Matt

Yep, thats the stuff.
Bye the way I forgot to say, do not heat the panels once they are sprayed, as any air bubbles in the glass will explode ,leaving a very interestin paint effect. I knew someone who sprayed a Lotus Elan and switched his booth onto bake , 20 mins later a pock marked, lunar landscaped paint finish.

Woops... The Victoria Sponge rose beautifully though.

But how do you cope with the spiders web cracks in the gelcoat? Do you just sand down and fill or do you have to grnd the gelcoat away completly.
Ian.

If the cracks are due to age, then I would'nt bother saving the wings as they are past their sell by date. Glass panels used to have a natural life of about 10 years, this envelope has now extended to 20 if they have been made well.
However if you have the web cracks you should drill a hole at the end of the crack, then grind out the crack, you can either re gel coat or just fill with filler.

just have to wait till the weather perks up and the neighbours go away for the weekend

I suppose that means Wiltshire & Devon then Andrew

You haven't met the immediate neighbours...