Project Trig - After 18 Months Away, Is Back In Town! by Mini 360

4 minute(s) of a 461 minute read

The problem with leaving alloy parts bar is that it still corrodes.  Yes, you can polish it again but unless its mirror polished to near chrome levels, I don't see the point and you have to polish them constantly.  I painted them and that didn't last so with powder it will last for years to come whilst still looking great.

I honestly don't know what to recommend regarding paint because I do powder coat as its tougher, thicker and lasts longer in harsh conditions (oil, coolant, brake fluid etc) when compared to any painting I have done in the past which no matter what prep I do, or getting it done by a pro, it still ends up dull and needing redone.  Paint annoys me as you spend so long prepping the part, to find that the paint takes 48hrs to fully cure (if you're lucky) and then it needs polished.  Powder is done start to finish within an hour and ready to mount straight away with a fully cured and glossy finish.

On with the progress!

That's the casing finished and started on the bolt ons for it. 

Quick wipe down to get rid of any grease from handling it and then a quick bake to dry it out again.

Silver powder on.

And cured

Left to cool off for an hour then applied the clear in two coats. Goes on as white powder and turns clear as it bakes.

Which left me with this glossy finish. Pretty good reflections for being such a rough casting!

Also did the bolt on covers for the speedo drive and diff. Smoothed off the lettering and manufacturing roundel from the speedo housing for a cleaner look.

Then masked up the diff housing 

Then on with the silver.

In my haste to get them done whilst the gearbox casing cooled before its extra coats, I forgot to out gas them and the powder bubbled up like **** with all the gas and oil that came out of the Alloy. So they will be stripped and then redone over the weekend. Thankfully don't need them until the box is in final assembly so no real rush for them.