Metal Painting

[Def88]

Hi All,

Just wondering what the best way is to go about painting these silver side sills? 

[L19MUD]

The issue with painting them is getting a decent key on the surface. I have had success with taking them off, shot blasting them to dull them off and then clean them before using automotive spray paint.  

[FridgeFreezer]

As L19MUD says, getting it to stick will be the hard part... it's almost easier to buy a new set of black anodised ones and swap them.

I'd scuff them up with a scotchbrite pad, clean with brake cleaner or thinners, then you need ETCH primer for aluminium to get a good key before you use paint over the top.

[Def88]

Thank you both for the replies, 

 

Would you have any suggestions as to where to get a hold of some black versions?

[landroversforever]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=black+defender+90+sill+covers#ip=1

Lots of different options. But if you've got a decent powder coating place nearby, I'd send them to be blasted and coated. 

[FridgeFreezer]

John at https://basingstokemetalfinishes.co.uk is a good guy for blasting, not sure if he knows someone who can coat or anodise them but he might.

[fmmv]

If you paint them, it's important to put the etch primer on within about 20 minutes of scuffing, for best effect, as aluminum oxidizes rapidly.

[Happyoldgit]

As has been said it's probably less hassle and possibly cheaper to get some new black ones, Google will bring up suppliers.

What about the wingtops?

 

[Def88]

Thanks All,

I’ll look at doing a bit of a price comparison between carrying out the work myself and just buying the new pieces. Last thing I want to do is carry out the work on my own and it doesn’t last or look right. 

[landroversforever]

I'd never guarantee that just buying new will be better! 

[FridgeFreezer]

If you're patient, book a pitch for Newbury sortout, take the old ones & sell them and then wander round and spend the money on some new black ones

Although there's no such thing as a cheap trip to the sortout

[landroversforever]

3 hours ago, FridgeFreezer said:

Although there's no such thing as a cheap trip to the sortout

And that’s just the ticket to get in, a coffee and a bacon roll (I use the term loosely!)

[Def88]

4 hours ago, FridgeFreezer said:

If you're patient, book a pitch for Newbury sortout, take the old ones & sell them and then wander round and spend the money on some new black ones

Although there's no such thing as a cheap trip to the sortout

That sounds like a much better plan…