Paint

[mk1mini72]

Hi everyone...
was reading a forum a while ago about the front panel of a mk1 heater, and what paint and lettering to use.
I gather that you use VHT black crackle paint, however when I search this it comes up with wrinkle paint???
Just to confirm, these are the same?
Thanks
George

[dklawson]

Whenever I have seen the term/name "VHT" I think of exhaust pipe paint (Very High-Temperature). I know that the company VHT makes other paints though.

The heater will not need high temperature paint. The type of paint it needs is commonly called "wrinkle finish" paint. It is available from several manufacturers. Above all else, follow the instructions to the letter and do not get impatient. To get the finish to develop 2 or 3 moderate coats are applied and then you have to wait. Depending on the temperature and humidity you may need to wait overnight for the wrinkle to develop. I suggest you practice once or twice on a piece of scrap metal to determine how the paint you buy will behave.

There is a guy over here in the U.S. who can/will do the lettering for a fee. I have seen pictures of his work which is quite good. I am not sure how he does the lettering but I assume he either screen prints it or has a very good template to spray the lettering. I never re-did the lettering on my car's heater after repainting the panel.

EDIT: I just looked him up. He screen prints the lettering.
http://forum.minicooper.org/forum/mk1-c ... s-restored

[InimiaD]

The lettering which is commonly used is Letraset, HELVICTA 3mm medium condensed. Can be found easily on that auction site.

[mk1mini72]

The lettering which is commonly used is Letraset, HELVICTA 3mm medium condensed. Can be found easily on that auction site.

That's what it's called. Thanks both for the help

[Smiffy]

Best method I've found with wrinkle paint pre heat the part, then spray it. After that persuade GF/Wife, to sit drying it with her hair drier.

[mk1mini72]

Finally managed to get round to doing it, thanks again for the advice.

[InimiaD]

Cracking job i must say.

[miniminor]

Looking good, where did you get the letters from and how do you go about applying them straight? I assume they are transfers and put on individually?

Ive been wanting to do this for ages but dont want to make a balls of the decals!

[mk1mini72]

To be honest, I did it all by eye... Using the letraset transfers , I used the spacing between letters to get a rough gauge as to how far they needed to be apart.

[YMJ]

How much for you to do mine?

[Chalkie]

I really wanna do my Rocker cover in this stuff

One on my Mx5 and Mini how easy is it to do?

[timo]

VHT do the wrinkle/crackle paint, I don't think it is anything to do with high temperatures. I used it to restore the dash on my MGB and the finish is great. The tip about pre-heating is spot on. I shall be using it for the front plate on the heater on my S

[mk1mini72]

it is relatively easy to do, just requires a lot of patience! I used two hair dryers to warm it up, and then sprayed horizontally and dried it, then vertically then dried it and so on.. around twice in each direction, and it leaves a very good crackle.