Practically Classics Forum

Hi All,

About to repaint the dash on my MGB and I want it to look like the original wrinkle finish. Has any one had any experience with wrinkle paint cans and if so which is the best to buy? I've been looking at this one from Frost but it has no reviews:

http://www.frost.co.uk/wrinkle-finish-p ... rosol.html

I can only seem to find VHT ones though which I don't need VHT?

I re-painted the dash in my Midget with that exact brand of paint, and it's fine - go for it.

Don't worry about the VHT thing, I think it has to be relatively heat-proof as it helps to speed up the hardening process if you use a low-bake oven.

Assuming you don't have an oven big enough for the MG dash, then try to do it in as warm an environment as possible - this stuff does take AGES to go off fully.

Another tip is to read the instructions fully, and comply with them 100% for best results.

The thinner you spray on the paint the finer the crinkles will be, and the thicker you put the paint on the coarser the crinkles will be. This is fine, but the trick on something as large as a dash will be to get an EVEN thickness of paint all over the item, and definately avoid runs at all cost!

To help, I painted mine with a decent coat of etch primer first, to give the paint something to soak into and stabilise it a little. To get even coats I sprayed it methodically in overlapping "rows" of spray passes, first in one direction and then at right angles in the other direction. Whatever you do don't just wave the aerosol around in a random fashion or you will have a very uneven crinkle finish.

It goes on plain glossy at first, then some considerable time afterwards the crinkles start appearing, so you can take your time putting the coats of paint on - I used about 4-5 coats in total IIRC.

Hope this helps - post up pics of the job!

Cheers

I'll second the recommendation for VHT. I used it to paint the external windscreen surround of my Matra, which is galvanised steel. I stripped it and etch primed it first. As Luxo says, it's important to follow the instructions, particularly with regard to the ambient temperature. A couple of years later it's stood up well to the weather and gives a nice wrinkle finish.

Never used it, however, my local motorist accessory shop that isn't hellfrauds had some Hycote wrinkle paint on the shelf, spotted it whilst I stood there debating whether gloss or satin for the roof lol