ozzy

I'm finally getting round to painting those wedges. Any tips?

Do they need primed, special paint, etc..

Thought I'd just get Halford to mix up some colour-coded paint (matt finish), clean them with some meths and blast away.

Stefan

Pete Croney

Give them a light sanding first, to let the paint key against something.

Black Hammerite smooth is good and tough, plus does not need a primer.

ozzy

Thanks Pete.

PeteT

I used that stone chip paint on mine, it gives a slightly textured finish but I didn't do any surface prep and there's no sign of the paint coming off even 2 years later (wish I could say the same for the bonnet).

ozzy

Well I colour-coded the little beggars last night. Must say it was a lot easier than I anticipated.

I carefully prised them off the car and gave them a good wash to get rid of the bug splats. I used some very fine wet/dry paper to give them a good sanding. All in that took about 10mins tops.

I got some colour-coded paint from Halfords made-up yesterday. They use Holts codes and as luck would have it 86F (steel blue metallic) is listed in their book. It was £8.99 for the smallest sized can.

I then gave the wedges about 5 light coats and allowed 30 mins of drying between individual coats. Each coat only took seconds to do, so although you have to leave them to dry for a while, it's only taking about 15 minutes of your time.

It's a bit tricky getting the spray in the vents, so I had to be extra careful not to put too much paint on with each coat.

Here are a couple of pics after I put them back on the car




Must say, I'm well impressed; even more so for someone whose never used a spray can in anger before.

So, there's no excuses now for anyone having them still orange

Stefan

chrisp

Very nice, I just read that you prised them out so do they just pull out or are they lugged. Any tips on the easiest way to get them out.

Cheers

ChrisP

TBMeech

To get them out, simply prise them from the top (There is a small slot which a bladed screwdriver will fit perferctly) be gentle with a flat bladed screwdriver and they pop out, takes about 2 secs do get them out.

Did mine the other week, dbm on my silver my99, basically sanded them, used a few layers of grey plastic primer then about 10 coats of paint from Halfords, then another 6 coats of clear laquer on top, look really good, will post some pics on the weekend



[Edited by TBMeech - 5/23/2002 10:29:59 PM]

ozzy

Chrisp,

wrap some cloth around the tips of two large flat-bladed screwdrivers. If you look closely at your own, you'll see a couple of slots along the top edge of the wedges. Just lever them out. They're held in by 4 clips and are just snapped in-place.

Here's a pics to show you what the look like.





[Edited by ozzy - 5/23/2002 10:38:22 PM]

[Edited by ozzy - 5/23/2002 10:38:57 PM]

chrisp

Cheers guys, just got me paint made up from halfords and already have grey plastic primer and clear laquer. Guess what I am doing this weekend .

chrisp

Finished them tonight and well chuffed just need to leave them a couple of days to harden before poping them back on the car.

ozzy

Looking good Chrisp.

There's no excuses for anyone having them orange still. Hange your heads in shame if you have

Stefan

Eagle7

what is the paint code for dark blue mica as on the MY00 UK?

cheers

ozzy

Sorry can't remember off the top of my head, but it should be on the metal plate under your bonnet.

The Holts book in Halfords has it listed too. Just ask them if you can have a look.

Stefan

Eagle7

cool, where is the metal plate located? is it in the engine bay or on the underside of the bonnet?

chrisp

under the bonnet, passenger side, near the suspension top turret.

ScoobyK

Engine bay, rh side (as you look at the engine)...I seem to remember the code is something like 56H if that helps (ie look for that type of code) Go for it.