This was a difficult project, because I don't have access to color detail photos of the M8D. If you know of any, please send them my way. Luckily, the M8B is very similar in the engine bay and suspension. I compared Tom Hiett's color photos of an accurate M8B to black and white photos of an original M8D to determine the appropriate colors. You may decide that other colors are better: if so, go for it.I like Testors Metalizer lacquer and Tamiya acrylic paints. You can get a good McLaren orange from MCW Automotive paints (No. 2070), or mix your own. Use Clorox Formula 409 to strip the chrome. I tested it, and it completely removes the chrome without a trace in just a few minutes, leaving a nice smooth surface.
Step No. Part No. Description Preparation Color 1 102 Front wheel-outer Strip chrome Aluminum plate and Magnesium 39 Front wheel-inner Aluminum plate - Front tire Lightly sand tread 2 100 Rear wheel-outer Strip chrome Aluminum plate and Magnesium 38 Rear wheel-inner Aluminum plate - Rear tire Lightly sand tread 3 24(2) Block and transaxle Block: Semi-gloss black Transaxle: Gunmetal
29 Intake manifold Flat black 27(2) Heads Flat aluminum 135(2) Rocker covers Strip chrome Flat black 4 134 Oil pan Strip chrome Aluminum plate 133 Starter Strip chrome Semi-gloss black 137 Magneto Strip chrome Base-flat aluminum Cap: hull red
37 Exhaust Replace with wire or solder Aluminum plate w/Copper wash 5 32 Engine mount Semi-gloss black 131 Pump Strip chrome Flat aluminum 132 Pump Strip chrome Flat aluminum 130 Belts and pulleys Strip chrome Belts: Flat black Pulleys: Flat aluminum
6 109 Rear suspension-lower Strip chrome Semi-gloss black w/Aluminum plate fittings 110 Rear suspension-upper Strip chrome Semi-gloss black 112 Rear axle Strip chrome Aluminum plate w/Copper wash 145 Trailing arm and hub Strip chrome Arm: Semi-gloss black Hub: Semi-gloss black
114 Anti-roll bar Strip chrome Upper: Aluminum plate Lower links: Semi-gloss black
7 26 Gearbox cover Gunmetal 142 Gearbox cover Strip chrome Gunmetal 43 Exhaust bracket Gloss black 25 Oil cooler and hoses Oil cooler: Flat black Housing: Aluminum plate
Hoses: Flat black
8 5 Tub Aluminum plate inside and on wheel wells McLaren orange outside
111 Extinguisher Strip chrome Red 19 Battery Semi-gloss black 123 Oil tank Strip chrome Semi-gloss black 15 Pedals Aluminum plate and flat black 9 107 Front suspension-lower Strip chrome Semi-gloss black 22 Hose Flat aluminum 23 Hose Flat aluminum 146 Overflow bottle Flat white 10 6 Cockpit Aluminum plate 7 Front chassis and suspension Aluminum plate w/semi-gloss black springs 129 Brake reservoirs Strip chrome Flat white 139 Fuel filler Strip chrome Aluminum plate 9 Seat and housing Aluminum plate and Semi-gloss black 11 125 Front suspension-top Strip chrome Aluminum plate and Semi-gloss black 108 Gauges Strip chrome Aluminum plate 122 Steering wheel Semi-gloss black 10 Instrument panel Sand back to reduce thickness or replace Semi-gloss black 16 Steering column Semi-gloss black 12 12 Frame Semi-gloss black 11 Housing and frame Aluminum plate 121 Shifter and linkage Strip chrome Shifter: Brown Linkage: Aluminum plate
41 Fairing (Mosport and St. Jovite only) McLaren orange 13 13 Hose Flat black 18 Tube Flat aluminum 124 Catch tank Strip chrome Aluminum plate 31 Roll bar and oil coolers Bar: Aluminum plate Radiators: Semi-gloss black
120 Support Strip chrome Aluminum plate 46 ? ? 14 104 Short pins-lug nut Strip chrome Aluminum plate 40 Brake disc Steel/Metallic gray 144 Front hub Strip chrome Semi-gloss black 117 Tie rod Strip chrome Semi-gloss black 15 143 Injectors Strip chrome Dark copper 136 Intakes Strip chrome Gloss black 16 45 Duct McLaren orange 44 Duct McLaren orange 17 - Windscreen 18 34 Support Aluminum plate 19 35 Front fender underside McLaren orange 20 - Taillights Semi-gloss black rims 138 Mirrors Don't strip! 42 Wing support Semi-gloss black 33 Wing Dark blue - Body McLaren Orange