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What is the best way to preserve the wheel arches? I don't want to strip of all the existing coating as it's fairly sound but would like to overcoat it to be sure it's well protected. I hammerited my TR8 but don't want to that this time as I'd like to keep the original matt black look.





Andy
1981 TR7 FHC

I stiff brushed mine down with water based degreaser to clean of all the embedded dirt. The spray on undercoatings say you can spray over dirt but that can't be good. The degreaser does take some of the old undercoating off as the run off does remain brown. It would be easier done outside but it was during winter, I had the car up on jack stands when I did it so one the one hand it was easier but on other hand I had to plastic bag the calipers, put a plastic sheet under to catch the over spray, used large plastic container lids to catch the bulk of it. Then tape off the wheel well rims, etc. and spray undercoating. At the risk of being repetitive I'm posting the car in mid clean operation.





- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

Well Andy I use the Hammerite black underbody seal "with added waxoyl" in my wheel arches as you can brush it on easily into all the nooks & crannies and up round the inside lip of the arch, it dries to a semi matt finish.

What Hammerite did you use on the TR8 then? The shiny finish metal paint stuff?

Tony

<font size="1">1981 TR7 FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 TR7V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red - sadly sold!
1977 TR8 FHC EFI Factory development car Inca Yellow</font id="size1">

I would just paint it all over with clear waxoyl or Tetroseal. This will allow the original finish to still be visible. The down side with this is would have to be periodically reapplied in high impact areas.

TR7 Coupe KDU 366N
TR7 Sprint ARW 181S

Hi Tony,
I looked at the hammerite underbody seal and thought that may be the way to go with the wheelarches, It says on the tin that it stays "tacky", did yours dry out OK?

Hi Roy,
I was considering spraying the rest of the underside/cavities/doors etc with dinitrol clear wax so it can stay original looking and just reapplying every 2/3 years. Is this stuff any good?



Andy
1981 TR7 FHC

Andy,I suggested the clear wax because I thought you wanted to preserve the original look/finish under the wheel arches. If it's just protection under there you are looking for then, I would go along with Tony and recommend one of the Black waxoyl type products. You can't beat the clear stuff though for all those cavities that you mentioned. Just make sure you do it on a warm dry day though because if it's damp you can trap any moisture that's already in the seams, box sections, and it will find a way out eventually, through your lovely bodywork.

TR7 Coupe KDU 366N
TR7 Sprint ARW 181S

I found the Hammerite dried out well, Andy, if a little slowly, mine is not tacky. It's a bit easier to apply than straight Waxoyl at this time of year as it has a thinner constituancy.

Don't use your favourite paintbrush, get a packet of budget ones from the DIY store then throw away afterwards[:)]

For the rest of the car, especially the inner cavities, the clear stuff is good. I have Waxoyl with a spayer from a pressure can,I have not tried Dinitrol but it has a good name.

Tony

<font size="1">1981 TR7 FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 TR7V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red - sadly sold!
1977 TR8 FHC EFI Factory development car Inca Yellow</font id="size1">

I have used the Hammerite stone chip spray on my wheel arches and very pleased with the result. You can paint over it as well.

I have since sprayed the underneath of the car as well.

It dries a good colour and not tacky.

Picture of front wheel arch:



Cheers Paul,

1976 TR7 2.0 FHC, ACG 3115 - Java Green (on the road)
1976 TR7 2.0 FHC, ACG 2367 - Carmine Red (on the road)
1980 TR7V8 3.9 DHC, Orient Blue (on the road)
1977 TR7V8 4.0 FHC rally car, ACG 35005 - Tahiti Blue (complete, no MOT)

www.TR7.co.uk

Cheers everyone, I'll be buying some black hammerite/waxoil. [:)]



Andy
1981 TR7 FHC