Bare metal

[Jeff]

I was going to suggest as Chris has, any cheap primer to stop the metal rusting, albeit surface rust and easy to rub down, then when you are ready to spray, rub down to bare metal again, it wouldn't take much.

In the meantime you could check for minor imperfections too.

Jeff.

[Lingen]

I would like to suggest that this microblistering has been caused by the cars being kept outside under a cover. These trap the moisture and that is the result. I have seen it on so many cars that have been stored in this way. It is almost better not to cover them at all.
Mike.

[dezzer]

Mike I agree.., my car was stored in a garage under a polythene sheet ,worst thing i could have done..thats what caused the micro blisters
Chris

[Fortyfiver]

When I bought the car there was a cover in the boot so that would explain it, you can’t have too much rust killer!!

[Alacrity]

If I were you I would speak to whoever is going to paint it & get his recommendations as to what may/may not cause a future issue. You don't want to do all this work (I know what it is like as mine is a bare shell waiting to be blasted) only for it to blister again in a few years time.

[RogerS]

When I rebuilt my MG roadster some years back I treated in primer to protect it against rusting prior to the repaint. The body shop said a lovely job, shame its going to have to come off as it will react with my paint system. Lesson learnt, as said above speak to whoever is going to paint it, save some money and heart ache.

Rog

[STypeR]

Welcome to the forum!
Nice looking car.
Good advise to check with the paint/panel shop first. If you have decided on one that is.
I would recommend you get the shop or whoever does the job to use a solvent based paint rather than the water based ones.. if available in the UK. I am not convinced the water based paints applied these days will last the distance...

[Fortyfiver]

Finish paint will have to wait a wile, found holes in o/s sill and accident damage on rear arch which had a 3/4 panel put over the top of the old one! The rest of the car was restored really well a few years ago so I assume the bodge was more recent, the o/s sill was the only panel not replaced so must of been good at the time, you don’t know what’s under the paint till it’s gone, o well angle grinder here we come!!!!!!!!

[Neil in Deal]

Afternoon all,

Some pretty good advice re micro-blistering.
Let's be grateful the Stag isn't glassfibre, then we'd be blessed ( ? ) with BOTH that and star-crazing.
There was a really nice-looking Scimitar GTC for sale by auction last summer, great history, previously rebuilt, lovely engine bay and underneath, BUT " the paint is showing signs of micro-blistering "
I was going to put in a (slightly) cheeky bid, but it went for £3k more than top estimate, factor in a huge amount for a proper preparation/re-paint and it was becoming very expensive.
One of the ships I used to sail on used to go to Tauranga, NZ once every 6 weeks. I used to pass a metallic blue Scimitar GTE, which was quite nice and obviously in use. You could see the cracks around the door handles and other places growing bigger over time ! nice cars, BUT......
Stay safe everyone, apologies to Scimitar owners, I know you love your cars too,

Neil.

[JASL]

Hi there, I do hope you get some epoxy primer on it soon. My point would be that you need to wear protection for your lungs especially for any spraying activity, and also your skin when using epoxy. I bought a full face mask with replaceable filters made by Drager when I set out to repaint my empty engine bay. I was spraying using rattle cans filled for me by a place in Congleton. The fumes were overpowering however with the mask I could be smell anything.
Stay Safe would be my advice and the £100 cost will be small compared to the whole job. By the way, I am still using the same pair of filters on the mask even after 12 months use - totally contrary to manufacturers instructions but I still cannot smell the paint. I have today just finished the underside of the bonnet.
Regards
Alan

[Fortyfiver]

The cans I’ve got are 1k not 2k so should be ok

[DavidW]

Wow - what a difference! She's going to be a beauty.