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Orangesofa



Member Since: 10 Oct 2014
Location: Somerset
Posts: 214

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Spraying plastic bits
Before I get told about the raft of previous threads on the topic, this is a specific question (or two).


I would like to get my wheel arch spats/brows (whatever you want to call them) in body colour but am slightly concerned that they are very flexible which might result in paint cracking and flaking.

I have a Dec 2013 2.2 Puma and if you press the arch in the middle (12 o'clock) you can very easily compress it by a good two inches - enough to cause issues with the paint I would imagine. Do I have especially flexible arches or is this normal and does paint on them adhere okay and perhaps more importantly, does it stay put when the arch flexes?


Second question is with regards to painting the grill and headlamp surrounds. I'd like to go glossy but a mate had a look and more to the point, a touch and suggested that the prep work to get it smooth enough for a good gloss finish would be onerous to say the least. They are not far off the smoothness of sandpaper in the 'out of the factory' guise and would require a lot of sanding, filling or many coats of paint to even begin looking smooth.

Any suggestions/advice? Phil


Last edited by Orangesofa on 5th Mar 2015 7:42pm. Edited 2 times in total
Post #404768 5th Mar 2015 6:54pm
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watts



Member Since: 01 Feb 2015
Location: Somerset
Posts: 71

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
Pretty sure these at Urban Truck are sprayed XS panels:

http://www.urban-truck.com/store/p140/GLOS..._LOOK.html

My dealer is spraying the grill and surrounds for me, due to collect next month, I will let know how it looks! Shocked
Post #404772 5th Mar 2015 7:10pm
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SailingTom



Member Since: 19 Nov 2013
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 1709

United Kingdom 
I had a set painted if you look in my thread. They didnt have any cracks when I just sold it, admittedly had them done by a professional but were perfect, even the same colour as yours Thumbs Up


Click image to enlarge
 Defender puma dormobile camper
Post #404777 5th Mar 2015 7:27pm
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x-isle



Member Since: 26 May 2011
Location: Midlands
Posts: 1327

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Paint is pretty flexible. Just don't overdo it on the thickness.

Rub them down a bit and then use a etching primer before spraying them

It's what I used to do to spats on my race Mini and they used to take a lot of knocks and not flake off.

The etching primer can also help make things a bit smoother too Craig Rogers

2007 Puma 110 XS
2011 Evoque Coupe Dynamic Lux
www.craigrogers.photography
Post #404785 5th Mar 2015 7:38pm
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Orangesofa



Member Since: 10 Oct 2014
Location: Somerset
Posts: 214

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
SailingTom wrote:
I had a set painted if you look in my thread. They didnt have any cracks when I just sold it, admittedly had them done by a professional but were perfect, even the same colour as yours Thumbs Up



Those would have done very nicely.... My mate happens to own a body shop and didn't look too keen on the 'Mate's Rates' idea when he saw the amount of prep on the grille but didn't turn his nose up at the arches. However, we both sucked a bit of air through our teeth when we were studying the flexing 'problem' and questioned whether painting them would be a wise move - hence the question.

So Tom, were yours quite flexible too? Phil
Post #404789 5th Mar 2015 7:48pm
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bob neville



Member Since: 30 Apr 2009
Location: Marbella
Posts: 3247

Spain 2001 Defender 90 Td5 SW Epsom Green
Hi Phil

I have a couple of sets of plastic spats here and none seem as flexible as you say. Are yours the smooth plastic type (same as in ST's picture) or are they the ones they used to do with a slightly textured finish ? If the latter then they will be pretty flexible if I remember correctly.

Bob 2015 Jaguar XE240 R Sport - goes like ....... !!
2013 Defender 90 CSW - sold
2009 Defender 110 Double Cab - sold
2001 TD5 90 CSW - offroad project - sold to a forum member
2011 Porsche Boxster - for the sunny days !
Post #404793 5th Mar 2015 7:56pm
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Orangesofa



Member Since: 10 Oct 2014
Location: Somerset
Posts: 214

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Hi Bob

They are actually smooth and worryingly flexible. Perhaps I should go 'prodding' when I next see a Defender with body colour arches to see if I have a problem in the making. Phil
Post #404797 5th Mar 2015 8:12pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19578

United Kingdom 
I've always used Autotek acid etc primer with great results.
One applied really you want a thin base coat applied and allowed to dry to create a seal.
As etch is pretty pours so will absorb paint.
Etch is easy to rub down to a smooth surface too.
Post #404801 5th Mar 2015 8:20pm
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SailingTom



Member Since: 19 Nov 2013
Location: ESSEX
Posts: 1709

United Kingdom 
They were just standard ones so yes pretty bendy, easiest to get a set that are colour coded even if its wrong (mine were white new take offs) as theres something to key to and your mate will like it more as a bit easier Thumbs Up Defender puma dormobile camper
Post #404841 5th Mar 2015 10:21pm
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grafty99



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4784

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
When getting them painted, ask for a good quality plastic adhesion promoter to be used first and flexible additive to be added to the paint, shouldn't crack or flake off then Thumbs Up 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton
Post #404843 5th Mar 2015 10:32pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Mine are 23 years old and just as flexible as modern ones and the paint is still fine from the factory.

The only cracks on it are from where the environment agency used them as bumpers Rolling Eyes

As long as you prepare them properly all will be well! Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #404844 5th Mar 2015 10:35pm
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AndrewS



Member Since: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3707

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 SW Rimini Red
I have had loads of them painted over the years, and had no problems. FYI you can buy them in primer it you want. 130's have feeling's as well you know Smile
Post #404911 6th Mar 2015 9:31am
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jimbob7



Member Since: 06 Jul 2013
Location: uk
Posts: 2055

If your colour coding I'd be inclined to take them off and give them to a (recommended) body shop,getting a good finish isn't as easy as it looks,despite what people say.Finding a good body shop is an art in itself,lol.

If your colour coding the grill/surrounds,800/1000 grit wet and dry will soon have them smooth and will save you a couple of quid at the bodyshop,I re-painted mine last year (i did my YTS painting cars) and used a fine scotch brite altho I only painted the grill satin black as they were discoloured, (not one for colour coding,lol).
I think the wheel arches that are colour coded at the factory are more rigid than the pov.spec black un's,could be wrong.



Click image to enlarge
 Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
Post #404986 6th Mar 2015 2:00pm
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