Hello all, I just purchased a 97 Land Rover Discovery with approx 180000 miles on it. I am going to begin the 60,000 mile service here soon and have a couple of questions concerning some other things I want to do. As you can see by the pics the clearcoat is worn on the hood and roof. What I would like to do is black out the raised portion of the hood and was wondering if anybody could provide some insight on how to spraypaint it a flat black, what type of sanding should be done and how to prep the metal before I begin. I am also wanting to try and fab up a snorkel out of prob stove pipe and was again wondering if anyone has any resources that would be helpfull. If you notice, the spare steel rim has the alloy lug nuts which I know is bad but I haven't driven it more than five miles or so and hope to fix this with a nice used tire. (The passenger side tires were slashed while it was parked for sale so I got a great deal on it, below what is marked on the windshield) Anywho I am excited and thought I would share some pics and hopefully get some insight into the above mods so I can try it on the series 1 and maybe do the same to my dd series 2.

 

Sweet!! SO how long before the DII goes up for sale?
You can drive with the spare lugs on the steel rim for as long as you want, they are designed to be used on the spare wheel.
I drove for almost 3 months on my spare with the lugs holding it on.

You can buy a hood black out kit for pretty cheap, it is a decal.
Otherwise I think I would just scuff it and shoot it.

You can use PCV pipe and paint it black and run it behind the fender to the air box so the only part you see is what sticks up by the drivers "A" pillar.

 

Thanks for the info. I haven't decided which disco I like better yet as my new one isn't registered or insured so I haven't driven it much other than a day of test driving. I have been researching the snorkel thing and have found several examples on other forums but none of them are basic enough! It will be a slow project but it should be fun having a spare disco to ravage. I have seen the decals but I can barely put on a small sticker without bubbles and creases so I think the paint will work best for me. Does anyone know what I should do about the places where the clear coat is worn off? Does it even matter? I would think rust problems would develop on the steel panels...

 

You poor poor mis informed man...LOL
Watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1xsf8V6i-k

 

If your going to paint your hood I would just use a scotchbrite pad or 320 sandpaper before you paint it. You dont need to take it down to bare metal just enough to scuff the paint thats on there unless its flaking off. I used duplicolor trim paint on my hood turned out great but i wish i wouldve used flat.

 

Thanks spike but spending almost an hour a day on these Land Rover forums at work has taught me at least that much! I should have been more specific and said namely roof but I have a tendency to ramble. Long haul was that a spray? Thanks for the sanding advice I really haven't ever owned anything in this poor of shape cosmetically so I've never paid attention to restoration tips. Oh yeah, I was reminded of Bill Nye the Science Guy with your video spike, thumbs up on the visuals though, I wish there were more when people discuss their probs.