Paint supplier - Wish i'd found this one earlier

[BBLongman]

A few months ago I was looking all over the place to find satin finish paint for the underbonnet with no joy. Today on the way back from picking up a paint chip from the sprayers I was surprised to see a mk2 transit painted in almost exactly the same shade as the primrose yellow paint sample I had in my hand. Knocked on the door of the workshop and it turns out the guy is a paint supplier specialising in products for classic car restoration. He was very friendly and knowledgeable AND can supply the correct black satin finish paint! Apparently it's a 1K self etching product thats used on throughout the industry on suspension parts, radiators, bumpers etc etc. I imagine its the same stuff that frost are supplying but this guy is a lot cheaper.

Bit late for me know as I had to give up and settle for 2K black gloss but if your looking for the correct paint or infact any paints for your restoration you should call Ken on 01298 814813 or 07778 165966. Makes a refreshing change from the usual halfwitted bull******r that you have to deal with at the majority of paint suppliers!

 

[BBLongman]

I've now tried the Satin Black from this supplier (product name is origiplate)

I must say I'm not overly excited about it. It's a 1k product which you thin with cellulose (although it's not cellulose based). It's £15 per litre.

It seems to bond very wellto the metal but gives such a thin coat that although it's intended for use on bare metal anything in less than perfect condition looks rough through the finished film.

Also any satin or matt paints need to be sprayed very thinly to get the correct affect since in a thick film the matting agent can sink and allow the paint to gloss. I found it quite difficult to get a sufficiently thin coat and it looks a bit patchy in places. Only thing I can say is that it does bond very welll and coating is very tough as i found out when flatting between coats.

Don't think I'd bother with it again. Although the chap says he does sell a lot of it, he did warn me about the need to spray it thinly to get a satin finish when I picked it up so I suspect he might get a lot of complaints along these lines. I think it may be excellent on brand new metal components and possibly with the correct thinners it could be made to flow better and give a thinner (and more matted) coat but not so sure for restoring rust old heater boxes!

I think I realise why so many people go for a gloss finish under the bonnet now.

Bennet