12 replies to this topic

[PENTNEY]

Hi all, I've got a 1990 Rover Mini Flame, and when I bought it, the paint had obviously been touched up by hand, Is there a recommended polish or anything that I could do to improve the finish until I have money to get a re-spray?

Thanks guys

[jmmini]

Tcut, I love the stuff I would drink it if it wouldn't kill me...

Also for scratches and scrapes I use Mantis pen, I was suprised it works but it does...

And finally, I have a flame red and both halfords and the range sell rover flame red spray cans and touch up pens which work very well imo. Fine sand the area, de-gease, prime and spray around the area (masking up of course) spraying yourself is a lot easier than people make out, just use thin coats even I can do it haha.

Joel.

[PENTNEY]

I quickly went over with Tcut a while ago, seemed to work nicely but now the doors have faded and the bonnet is cracking :-( i'll touch up and maybe put some stripes on the front or would they crack too?
Thanks Joel

[jmmini]

Ive got stripes on front and back, they really look good, they would certainly mask the problem if you don't feel up to sanding it down and spraying the area. I would advise you see to it while its 'fresh' because it will eventually rust without paint. If your planing a re-spray then just cover them for now with stickers, stripes galore! But if not see to it soon before it gets out of hand.

Black stripes with black roof look amazing, get some spotlights and it will look meaner than Susan Boyle!

[PENTNEY]

I have a white roof and white wing mirrors so I'm more likely to go for white stripes! Would the stripes/stickers be okay if I'm putting it on paint that's starting to crack?

[jmmini]

Yes, for a short while, you may see the crack through it slighly but only up close.

just put a little duct tape over the crack first to stop it spreading.

This will not stop rust etc just mask it and hide it however, you should probably repair/get it repaired. but yes it will 'hide' the crack as a quick fix.

[PENTNEY]

I haven't got any rust at the moment, But I may well get some white stripes.. it would look awesome too! Thanks

[samperks]

sounds like my flame red mini 1989 had the same problem the red paint had faded and there was micro cracks in the paintwork and some little white lines, i have started respraying and its much easier than i though, just be weary though i think there are 2 different shades of racing red as my front is slightly darker.

if u want to get a decent shine back providing the top layer of paint isnt to thin maybe get some 2000 grade wet and dry and give it a light going over then buff back with polish to restore the colour.

let us know how you get on!

Cheers
Sam

[PENTNEY]

I think for now I'll polish It and put some stripes on to cover the worst up until next year when I'll spray it

Will do! Cheers Sam

[stretters]

There are indeed two main Flame Red codes one for up to 89 and one for 89 onwards, my Mainstream Cooper colour code is COF which is the 89on colour code and should be the same as yours PENTNEY.

I have so far been using the Halfords Flame Red 89> Spray Cans and they seem to be a pretty good match once the 20yr old paint is T-Cut and bufed to it's former glory.

One can should be more than enough to go over your bonnet if you wish to carry out a re-spray, just make sure you use the Red Oxide primer underneath as when I tried with Grey Primer (as per factory) it came out rather Orange.

[samperks]

weird ive been using grey primer and i havent noticed at all :-\ although im not getting mine from halfords, dont know if that would make much difference. i would of thought white primer would give the best results though?

[PENTNEY]

I've put on some stripes and they cover up most of the worst on the bonnet! However since then I swear i've noticed the fading of the rest of the car more isn't there a polish or wax etc that'll improve it until next year when I can spray it?
And i've heard that halfords paint isn't nearly as good as any others

[samperks]

id say t cut it or some rubbing compound although that might be a bit to agressive and you might cut through into primer. try and get some pictures up i want to see if yours is anywere near as bad as mine was/is in parts lol