12 replies to this topic

[myminipickup]

I am restoring a Mini pickup and currently rebuilding the gearbox. I was going to paint it BMC Green, but after removing all the old paint and cleaning it up, I'm not sure now if I should?! Any thoughts?

 

 

 

[nicklouse]

I would not.

[Steve220]

What did you clean it up with? It looks new.

[GraemeC]

Depends what you want in terms of originality (and then age of your pick up).
It does look very clean though - well done!

Edited by GraemeC, 18 March 2017 - 06:55 AM.

[tiger99]

I would, because after a few months on the road the bare metal looks horrible. Maybe polishing it like an alloy wheel might discourage dirt from sticking but you will still get superficial corrosion.

My first Mini came with the entire power plant painted the usual olive green. That may have been an Austin van because Morris followed a different policy (or was it the other way round?). The second was painted, but not olive green. Black I think. The third was bare, and soon looked the scruffiest. The engine block was yellow from new.

But it is down to personal preference. Neither choice is right or wrong unless authenticity is important to you. Whatever you do will have to cope with water, dirt and grime. If there was an easily cleanable finish it would be my preferred choice.

[Ethel]

Second that, aluminum corrodes too especially that close to road salt. Silver wheel aerosol works great. 

[myminipickup]

Thanks for your help - perhaps I should just put a clear lacquer on it - something like this?

 

http://www.halfords....u-lacquer-500ml

[cookie4343]

Thanks for your help - perhaps I should just put a clear lacquer on it - something like this?
 
http://www.halfords....u-lacquer-500ml

Recon that should be perfect as it states for polished metals.

[Rocket.]

If you're not going to paint it I'd use ACF50 to protect it

Likely to get lacquer peel from stone chips

[myminipickup]

If you're not going to paint it I'd use ACF50 to protect it

Likely to get lacquer peel from stone chips

 

yes - then it would look bad. Perhaps I should just leave it as is!

[Rocket.]

I'm not sure what you use your car for but If it's not a daily driver it won't be to hard to keep it clean

[nicklouse]

If you're not going to paint it I'd use ACF50 to protect it
Likely to get lacquer peel from stone chips

 
yes - then it would look bad. Perhaps I should just leave it as is!

Once it has created its aluminium oxide layer it is protected from corrosion.

Painting only opens it up to more serious corrosion. Stone chips. Allow water in and ypthe chipped psint holds it there cresting worse corrosion.

Chipped psint looks poor. Chipped aluminium oxide is not noticed.

Once you have assembled and filled with oil there will be enough anti corrosion treatment on the surface to not worry.

[myminipickup]

 

 

If you're not going to paint it I'd use ACF50 to protect it
Likely to get lacquer peel from stone chips

 
yes - then it would look bad. Perhaps I should just leave it as is!

Once it has created its aluminium oxide layer it is protected from corrosion.

Painting only opens it up to more serious corrosion. Stone chips. Allow water in and ypthe chipped psint holds it there cresting worse corrosion.

Chipped psint looks poor. Chipped aluminium oxide is not noticed.

Once you have assembled and filled with oil there will be enough anti corrosion treatment on the surface to not worry.

 

 

 

Thanks - I'll leave it as is...