Hi Ian.

What colour were you thinking of? Ok, just to keep your options open...

I'll be attempting a respray in the future after doing some restoration work on my TF Henley. After initially thinking I'd be going for a mid/dark blue metallic, I'm now pretty well settled on solid black (this was after seeing the stunning black TF with the fold-down screen which was, until recently, shown in the 'for sale' section - what a beautiful car!)

I'm planning to use..... aerosols! No, don't mock. I've done a fair bit of touching-up using cans over the years, and know it's possible to get an excellent finish with a bit of care. You can buy aerosols in bulk, and I reckon a respray involving 4-5 coats can be achieved for around £100 - roughly 20 x 400ml cans at ~£5 each.

(As it happens, gloss black tends to be available as a standard, off-the-shelf colour with LARGER 500ml cans available for UNDER £5.)

I am also intending to over-coat in clear lacquer for extra gloss and protection.

I've found the 'secret' is to strike the delicate balance between applying coats thickly enough to 'flow' evenly so as to avoid 'orange peel', but not so thick as to cause runs! Even if you get it wrong, the worse case scenario - at least with 'solid' colours - is that you'd need to 1200grit wet 'n' dry the surface to get rid of orange peel/runs afterwards before lacquering.

The beauty of cars like ours is that each panel can be detached and tackled separately. With individual panels like these, it's significantly easier to apply the paint while constantly monitoring what you're doing, gently altering the rate/distance of application to keep the finish smooth. Plus, there's no awkward panels like roofs to tackle!

Anyone tried this?!

Oh, and as for lights, SVC, as mentioned above, are worth a look for some great styles.

I personally think the vintage reproduction lights on there - such as the 'hamburger'(?) - will add some distinction to our 20s-30s styled cars.

Oops, I meant 'cheeseburger'!

Also look at ST51 'D' lights, and the 'Pork Pies' - fab!

Hi Donnie
Take a look on the web for people roller painting their cars with Combi-Color. Its becoming a bit of a fad as the stuff is so good. It can be sprayed normally, put on with a mini roller, or the company I mentioned will even put it in spray cans for you.
My friend did his Morgan replica with it and the total cost was around £75 and the finish was superb.
I did a Beetle with Halfords spray paint a few years back and it was rubbish. Doing a panel or two is fine, its the large areas like bonnets and roofs that become difficult

Hi Tony.

That's interesting stuff!

Your friend who did the Morgan replica, did he spray or roll? Did he have to rub it flat afterwards to get it dead smooth?

I know what you mean by the hassle of spraying large panels with aerosols, but that's where kit cars score - even the bonnet is effectively two small panels! As for the 'roof'...

I know that still leaves the rear bulkhead and wings which are quite large panels, but excellent results are quite possible with a little care.

Still, I might look into this Combi-Color a bit more...!

Hi Donnie.
He started off using a roller and laid 5 coats on, each flatted back quickly then he finished it with a spray to get a far better finish
Here are some sites with more info.
BTW Rustoleum is the US version of our Combi Colour

http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index.php?s=5fec054423686e557d7efb134e4e1297&showtopic=29632&st=0

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paint-Your-Car-With-Rustoleum/