12 replies to this topic

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi,

 

I am rebuilding a Metro 1275 A+ and have cleaned up a lot of parts using mild Citric Acid.

The Timing plate has come back to life, but has some pitting.

 

I was going to put it back on as it is but feel that it needs some protection to prevent rusting again, otherwise it will end up like this:

 

(This is not my engine - just an example of what it looked like)

 

So what's the best option - paint or electroplate (Nickel)?

 

I have noticed that some people paint part of the plate, as seen in a screenshot from Bill Sollis's Ultimate Mini Builder:

 

 

Or the whole plate as seen here from a MiniMania timing video:

 

 

Also in the MiniMania shot they have painted the entire side of the engine? I was going to leave this bare metal?

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 10 February 2020 - 12:57 PM.

[nicklouse]

as you can see very little of it is actually open to the elements. i would not paint it  untill it has been assembled. as i would not want paint inside that area.

[GraemeC]

Use a gasket as a guide to mask of the internal area - allowing the paint to stop under the casket (not at the outer edge)

Edited by GraemeC, 10 February 2020 - 01:11 PM.

[JonnyAlpha]

Ok thanks. What about electroplating?

[GraemeC]

Yes, you could do that

[Floyd kraemer]

I faced the same dilemma when rebuilding my 1275GT engine and eventually zinc plated mine using a Frost zinc plating kit.

It was a bit big so had to plate it twice (one half at a time) but it worked really well and still looks good 5 years later. I just made sure the overlap was not on the visible part.

I was very pleased I did this and replated quite a few other parts during the rebuild. They polish up nicely once you get the timings right.

[drs]

i got fed up with masking and painting, so my last build i used the med anodised alloy one

 

https://www.med-engi...oy-timing-plate

 

paul

[JonnyAlpha]

i got fed up with masking and painting, so my last build i used the med anodised alloy one

 

https://www.med-engi...oy-timing-plate

 

paul

 

Yes I had considered that, but it's another £40 added to the build :-(

[nicklouse]

Reasons not to paint the inside area. You have fasteners to tighten and adjust. This often lifts paint. Or initially just lifts and loosens it. Till it comes off and joins the oil.

[Floyd kraemer]

Thought I'd post a photo of my replated timing plate...

 Plated timing plate.jpg   57.7K   4 downloads

[JonnyAlpha]

Looks great. I hat did you paint the aluminium with?

[Floyd kraemer]

It was Eastwood Aluma Blast spray paint.

It covers well so only used one can for everything I did on the car.

[JonnyAlpha]

Ah Eastwood, I remember watching all the Eastwood Kevin Tetz spray paint tutorial videos.

I was going to get all the aluminium bead blasted, but that won’t protect it from corrosion. May just blast it myself with crushed glass and spray it.