cfair

What's the best way to do this?

I was thinking strip them with ugly VOC chemicals, sand a bit if needed, then rattle can with a flat or semi gloss black. What paint do you recommend?

Also how would I get spray paint to resist car cleaner and lacquer thinner? Which get used in the engine bay from time to time.

What have you all done for a clean but not over-the-top bracket restoration?

Thanks in advance and happy thanksgiving to the Americans here.

joe_padavano

The BEST way is to degrease, sandblast, and wipe with lacquer thinner before painting. Brackets should be semi-gloss.

You can't. Lacquer thinner will remove any paint you apply. Powder coat is the only thing that will resist it. I don't know what "car cleaner" is. You can use a water soluble grease remover like Greeze Off, which will not lift paint.

cfair

Car cleaner (pre spell checker) was supposed to read carb cleaner, aka Berryman B12 Chem tool.

Many thanks for the process tips.

joe_padavano

I've found Grez-Off (the correct spelling) to be amazingly effective, considering that it's water based. I get mine at NAPA in five gallon pails.

Rocketguy

Not true. Any good quality cured thermoset automotive finish can be wiped down with lacquer thinner. I have used it to clean factory finishes many times.

It will however reflow any thermoplastic topcoat such as from a spray can.

joe_padavano

Which is powdercoat, which is what I said...

Rocketguy

Powercoat is a thermoset finish but you said "Lacquer thinner will remove any paint you apply. Powder coat is the only thing that will resist it" and both are false claims.

4speed455

I would go with powder coating. Usually basting and prep is built into the price, so you can just drop them off old and dirty and pick them up looking brand new with a finish that will last a long time.

ELY442

X2, but I dont have a sand blaster so I use scotch brite to scuff the paint and then wipe it down with lacquer thinner, prime and paint.

redoldsman

I have never seen any kind of paint that could withstand lacquer thinner. I have not tried it on POR15 so maybe it might be different.

68442

Paint that is not effected by laquer thinner
(1) Properly activated/cured Epoxy
(2) Properly activated/cured 2K urathane primers
(3) Properly activated/cured Single stage urethane
(4) Properly Activated/cured Urethane Clear coat

Having said this, this only applies to the top major manufactures(Ex BASF, Glasurit,R-M, Etc.) not spin off Outfits making there own cocktails.