Hello everyone. I'm new here. I've been reading around the site with much interest, some of your cars are fantastic. That guy with the 200mph sierra (saw it on 5th Gear, then he turns up here!) what a piece of machinery that is!

In particular the threads regarding restorations interest me, since that's something i'm doing too, but ... on the cheap! Much as i'd love a cosworth or similar (read another thread about installing a 24-valve engine, nice idea, that) it's way out of my price range - there's no way i could afford the insurance!

So i'm content to live with my puny 1.8LX estate. Stop laughing! Maybe one day i can work up to something with a little more street-cred, haha. Anyway, it was rotten underneith but all the welding is now sorted and all that's left is to put it back together again, re-painted.

I was hoping i could pick the brains of some of you who've been through this, so i have a few questions, if i may be so bold:

* Which type of paint would be best to paint the underside? I thought of using that smooth Hammerite stuff, but i've read somewhere it chips easily. Is this true? If so, what alternative?

* Chassis parts, rear swingarms, beam, etc - same paint as above, or something else?

* Coil springs, how do you paint these bearing in mind they move around. Would paint crack? They're kinda black (between the rust), but i can't work out of it's even paint or some sort of plastic. Should i put a plastic sleeve over them instead of paint? Hosepipe, haha?

* (this is gonna sound stupid) What colour? Black all over, or some parts red, or what? Or would that look too ostentatious for a 1.8LX? :-D

A slight side-issue: While it's in bits, should i change to rear discs? I believe it's just a case of attaching a bracket affair to the swingarm to carry the caliper, and i hate drum brakes! Good idea?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, because experience is beyond value. Thanks.