Getrag Gearbox

[Martyn-ak427]

Chaps,

I am just starting to clean up the exterior surface of my getrag & am wondering what is the best way to finish it, ie polish the aluminium & give it a coat of lacquer or clean it up & paint with swift coat of silver hammerite?

Any info appreciated.

Regards,
Martyn

[mike tabram]

Hi Martyn , I de-greased mine then sprayed it with silver zinc spray and then clear lacquer to seal the zinc surface . Looks like new !

[kayjayd]

Originally Posted by Martyn-ak427

Chaps,

I am just starting to clean up the exterior surface of my getrag & am wondering what is the best way to finish it, ie polish the aluminium & give it a coat of lacquer or clean it up & paint with swift coat of silver hammerite?

Any info appreciated.

Regards,
Martyn

Martyn,

I took mine down to the pay-as-you-go jet wash at my local Tescos and blasted all of the muck of it then handpainted with silver hammerite. See attached for results.

[oglyoodoo]

Not being a paint expert it's always a problem knowing what to do for the best on Aluminium. If its painted and it chips, moisture gets underneath and it festers and the paint flakes off leaving pits and the powdery white aluminium oxide. Look at Alloy wheels that have not been cared for, after a few years.

The Gearbox is pretty well out of reach so is unlikely to be well cared for. In any case Aluminium whether castings or otherwise really needs fully degreasing and a proper etch primer before any paint. It is also wise to ensure that the entire paint system is compatible if the job is to last any length of time. Of course it depends whether you want it to look good for six months or 6 years. I know some spray paints claim to be suitable for use on all metals but over the years I have found them not to be so long term. If it were me I would probably get it fully degreased, etch primed and then painted whether by brush or spray. Just my 2 penneth....

Denis

[Miket]

Polished ally bellhousing and zinc spray paint on gearbox, still looks as good as new after 10.000 miles.

[RobinH]

I fear you might have too much time on your hands! Surely you can hardly see it when installed. I just cleaned mine up with parafin, worked in with a brush. Any sort of coating might break down after a while.

[Miket]

Originally Posted by RobinH

I fear you might have too much time on your hands! Surely you can hardly see it when installed. I just cleaned mine up with parafin, worked in with a brush. Any sort of coating might break down after a while.

You can't see the chassis or the suspension parts either.

[RobinH]

Originally Posted by Miket

You can't see the chassis or the suspension parts either.

True I guess.
I certainly took quite a bit of care getting the supension bits all nicely covered in POR 15.

Each to their own!