145" Slingshot build in the UK

[Ponti]

Well after a weekend of Drag therapy, I have managed to take advantage of the warm weather and have spray painted my front end, fingers crossed once it's gassed off and varnished you won't be able to tell the difference from chrome plated versions.

[Oldboy]

Paint looks great, what is it, I need to do similar job?

[Ponti]

Paint looks great, what is it, I need to do similar job?

 Halfords rattle can, nothing special  . Only thing I made sure of was that with primer the surfaces were as smooth as possible, as it's a fine surface coat and it would show any imperfections.

 What are you thinking of painting on yours then?

[Oldboy]

Rattle cans, amazing, looks real good.
I need to do exactly the same parts, I was thinking maybe chrome finish powder coat but I would much rather do it myself if I could get a result like you have. Did you have to do a black base coat as with powder coat?

[masracingtd1167]

Another option for you guys would be the jet hot coating that they use for headers ! It is a small fraction of the cost of chrome and it is very durable !

[Oldboy]

Thanks Bill, I will look into that option, sounds like it would last better than paint, cool.

[JrFuel Hayden]

The shop that polishes my wheels also does the Jet Coating for my zoomies. I have had them do some street rod Jet coating that has worked real Good. The only limit I have found is the coated parts have to fit into a tumbler, you see when the parts come out of the oven, they are dull, so they need to be tumbled to get shinny like chrome. One of the best projects was our JrFuel driver had me Jet Coat his front bracket for the A/C water pump, power steering pump, etc on his crate motor for his 40 Ford, it looks like chrome, and he doesn't need to polish his chrome. Just make sure your silver High Temp coater has a tumbler big enough for your parts.
BTW, I have used chrome polish on my zoomies when a crew member let the engine cover fall onto the hot zoomies. 
Have Fun,
Jon

[coupemerc]

Also, the pipes cool down after a run MUCH quicker with the Jet Hot coating. Less risk of burning yourself or starting a fire.

[Ponti]

Well, the painted front end was a waste of time and money.  The chrome never fully hardened and as soon as I touched it, it marked. So rubbed it back, will have a think of another idea.

 In the mean time have put a few more bits back on for mock up purposes, routings of pipe work etc.

Also just visible in the rear view is my rear light, just trying to work out position for mount.

[dreracecar]

I didnt want to say anything about the chrome paint in case they came up with some new product that really worked

[GlennLever]

Paint is very particular about temperature and humility.

It is also very particular about re-coat times and thickness of coats (Enamel generally wants two thin (dust coats) followed by a median wet coat allowing ten minutes between coats and all re-coat within an hour).

I have been able to get very good results when following the directions on the cans. Humility can cause really poor and disappointing results.

I do not know if you used enamel paint but enamel paint takes for ever to cure, in optimum conditions 7 DAYS to harden.  Enamel tends to have the surface harden while under the surface the paint stays soft.

Below is a steering gear box I painted up to look like cast steel with the cover plate in aluminum. A coat of clear was added over the top of the three coats of paint. I left it hanging above a dehumidifier for a week. The paint is rock hard.

You might want to get a scrap piece of metal and give paint a second try? Paint will never be as hard as chrome, and will scratch, but should not mare with handling.

(This steering gear box is for my CJ-7 Jeep)

[Ponti]

Hi Glenn,

  Might give it another go then. Yeah I gave them a couple of flash coats, and got a great coverage, then I'd left them for near as dammit 2 weeks to gas off, as weather went a bit screwy so might have got under the paint.

 Or just find someone with a spray booth.

[dreracecar]

You did nothing wrong,
 The base material for chrome paint does not like to be touched or handled and if you try shooting clear over it , it will no longer look chrome.
The chrome paint base is more suited for having a CANDY paint shot over it

[PSweeney]

Chrome powder coat is getting there and has the look of highly polished aluminium but still not close to the reflective qualities of stainless or chrome

There are specialised paints out there which are getting close.  Essentially you lay a gloss black base and put a lightly tinted binder over it with a very fine silver pigment which gives a translucent effect much like nickel plating.

Personally if I were you I'd stump up and get it chromed now.  Chrome plating is getting more expensive due to environmental controls and according to a guy I used the EU was looking to ban all proper chroming by next year.  Might be hearsay but the compliant methods are no where near as reflective or durable

[Ponti]

Well, I enjoyed the sun, and so did the car..... First time since getting her up here she's got back outside, well partly.

  Bolted a few more bits back on to test placements etc.
 Also started at looking at a path to route the chute release cable and placement of the handle. Have thought of placing the handle down just in front of the brake lever, with the cable routing forward and round to keep a gentle curve, then run it back along the top tube / shoulder rail and having it come from under the pack ( not worked that bit yet )  What do folks think?