6 replies to this topic

[avm]

Hello,

 

I'm restoring a 1970 Mini Cooper S MK3. This is my first mini project and my first restoration project in general. I'm trying to be true to the car as it came out of the factory. My question is, what colour should I paint the subframes and suspension arms etc. and are there any good source materials I could use to get it as correct as possible? I'm assuming the subframe should be black but not sure if matt, gloss etc.

 

Thanks!

 

Alex

[Daz1968]

Get yourself the Parnell original Mini Cooper book as it is very good for reference. I believe the sub frames are gloss black rather than satin, is the car complete and have you any pictures

[avm]

I have that book and it's great, especially for trim. Unfortunately it doesn't really show the subframes (as far as I've looked). I've seen a few subframes on the internet that look like they're not quite glossy.. I'll keep looking - might be being to picky I guess.

 

Car is more or less complete, just missing a few bits like glass, rear seats, rear suspension cones and some trim pieces. It was changed, presumably by the owner, to pre 74 dry suspension. There are a couple of pictures in my introduction post, I might post some more on here once I've made some progress.

[Van13]

Black

[62S]

On early 1970's cars it was generally somewhere between satin black and gloss black.

[Boycie]

I think satin looks best. Gloss just isn't right for suspension & subframes IMO, too shiny and unless it's perfectly sprayed, shows up every little imperfection.
Gloss is better for longevity though, the water and damp runs off it easier.

[tiger99]

It was a fairly poor quality, thin, nominally glossy black, without the preparation, filling, flatting etc, that you might apply to bodywork, so it looked and was cheap and nasty, and a little bit duller than an ideal gloss. That was common on most cars of that era. I am not sure that any primer was used, if it was it was not the finest quality. I think they used to call the stuff "chassis paint", however I would point out that a modern chassis paint is far better stuff, usually.

 

I noticed that on later models, 1970s and 1980s, the rear subframe lasted a lot longer and the paint was not as glossy and had somewhat more thickness.