McLaren M8D Paint Guide

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

 


Last modified: July 13, 1998
E-mail: gpma@home.com
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