Just went and got my metal pole from the Seat dealer for fitting to my Fabia VRS.

Its got a seat sticker on (should peel off) and its very bright red. Not that I don't like red, but the cars black. Is it okay to paint these things with some good ole halfords spray paint? I'm hoping to paint it same as car body, picked up some VW Black diamond spray cans at halfords as they don't have the Skoda black magic.

The bright red paint on my metal pole aint super heat resistant, flame retardant stuff or anything is it? Dont want my metal pole to catch fire with the new paint on it.

Are these things okay to paint?

Cheers

Ross

Should be ok to paint, i'd flat it back first with some light wet and dry to so the paint has something to key into.

Should be ok to paint, i'd flat it back first with some light wet and dry to so the paint has something to key into.

Cool, I'm off to paint my pole

I'll give it a rub down first and peel of that TACKY Seat sticker :P

Going to paint mine Skoda Green when I get it

Always be careful when giving it a good rubdown & paint job

I'm guessing it could be powder coated from factory, still ok to paint though

But be carefull when flatting it back try not to break through the paint/coating as it may cause problems later. Just a light flat or a good rub with a pan scourer (not a metal one) is all you need to key the paint

what's wrong with red? Makes it stand out nicely.

I couldn't even contemplate me going near it with a spray can, even armed with wet & dry for prep, like I have... nope, its staying red and I'm wearing the seat badge with pride.

I gave my pole a good rubbing, managed to bare a little bit of metal at one of the welds where the paint was thin.

Thats it painted now though, 2 coats of black and a coat of laquer, looking nice. Hoping to fit early next week, along with fat trumpet tube for the airbox and green air filter. Want to do it all together to see if the combination of all three makes a noticable change to the way the car performs.

I can see why some would want to leave it bright red for the modified sporty look. Reason I wanted it painted was for the more inconspicuous natural look. Some unknowing people might also think its come as standard.

Thats one of the things I like about the Fabia VRS, the whole 'sheep in wolves clothing' thing. It doesnt look TOO over the top as far as styling's concerned, but doesnt look boring either. I think they have a nice balance the way it is. I dont want to change too much the way it looks (not yet anyway ), but quite happy to improve performance with little invisible-ish things.

I'll post some pics once its in, but hoping that when you open the bonnet, its not jumping out at you shouting "STRUT BRACE"!! Regardless of the colour - the Seat sticker had to go LOL!

I had my S3 upper brace sprayed silver by my dealer and it looks great on,very factory which is what i wanted as i won't be taking it off when i sell it due to leaving the 3 holes in each suspension turret.

worth considering that as future buyers might be put off by the red and worry that its had a hard life!!!

what's wrong with red?

Nothing, just personal preferance

Should have bought the car in red then the brace would match! Lol.

I've got a strut brace on mine and got it painted for me by a bodyshop friend. I showed him the calipers and said i want it that colour so he said ok. Week later i go back to pick it up and its flaming bright green nowhere near the caliper colour so i fit it but when i get the chance i'm going to halfords to get the green hamerite i used to spray my 312mm calipers with. Now thats a spot on match