Hello,

Been trying to track down Hammerite paint, but web search only shows UK info.

Thinking of using this in the engine bay when I do the swap to B20. The dark gray seems like it would look OK in the bay and inside the trunk.

The rest of the car needs bodyworked and not budgeted to be painted until next year. I'm OK with the contrast underhood.

Seems like Shayne's red wagon had this paint inside the bay and looks pretty spiffy. Digi-pics, Shayne?

Any opinions on how this holds up and where to source?

Thanks,

-Mario E.
Lawrence, KS

I for one am not impressed with Hammerite paint. It does contain a large amount of low-nobility metal (zink) and does therefore help prevent rust, but the finish suffers. As the zink corrodes the surface shine goes away and it turns dull. A better paint would be epoxy. It retains it's shine for many many years, and is very tough and durable.

I don't thisk they've changed the formulation on this stuff since it was introduced in the 1930's and became the 'industrial grade' finish of the 40's. I used the Eastwood spraycan once (front brake backing plates) and it came out looking good. To see how it will hold up over time, check out the paint on antique fan, card table, desklamp, auto accessory, etc.. It has a hard finish but is way brittle and will crack like enamel if dented. Fades in sunlight, but can be revieved with a little metal polish.

I only would use hammerite (for effect) on smaller parts, unless you know of a way to clearcoat it.

If I had it to do over again, I'd have the engine bay match the rest of the car. Oh yeah, I do get to do it again...on a different car. The gray sedan is getting a full color match, Yay!

The Eastwood Company sells it. See their site under "specialty paints and coatings".

http://www.eastwoodco.com/

These guys are your friends if you're restoring ANY kind of old car.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 221K, 88 744GLE- 202K, 91 244 181K, 88 244GL 145K

The True Value hardware store down the street from me carries Hammerite -- I don't know if that's just one store, or if they have it chain-wide.

I think it looks fine in Shayne's wagon, and it seems to hold up extremely well. Then again, everything looks fine in Shayne's wagon, and that's an understatement.

No idea if you care, but just FYI, if you ever plan on showing the car, VSA/VCOA rules specify that engine bay and trunk paint matches the exterior. Hammerite is worth a point off, even in the modified classes (unless you paint the outside of the car with it too).

8^)