Alternate to Halfords

The Wooksta! · July 27, 2024, 10:36:23 AM

If you don't know already, Halfords cans are somewhat expensive now, at nigh on twelve notes a can. Frankly, that's unaffordable and I advise them to entertain their mothers sexually.

However, I've switched to the Hicote range of primers from Range, which are just as good as Halfords, roughly half the cost at 5.99 for most cans which actually contain more than the standard Halfords ones.

I've tried both the white, grey and filler primers and been quietly impressed with them, I took a gamble on their generic Aluminium and found it's as good as the Halfords.

Think I'll be sticking with them from now on.

Mossie · July 27, 2024, 11:02:43 AM

That's good to know. I believe they have it in The Range, which is just down the road from my nearest Halfords too.

PR19_Kit · July 27, 2024, 02:19:21 PM

Not to mention Halfords' totally bizarre 'new improved' method of cataloguing their car paint colours.

They have neither the name of the colour nor the colour itself on the can lids, how stupid is that? The lids are now all generic colours, all reds are the same, and the colour now has an internal Halfords code which you're supposed to know (yeah, right.....) and the actual name of the colour is hidden deep in their computer system, and most of the operators there have no idea how to find it.

It took one of them over 15 mins to find my fave Ford Strato Silver there recently!!!!

The only way to find them by the actual colour is to find that shade on their small patch-up bottles, and note the internal code from them as they do have the proper colour lids.

As Lee is doing, I won't be going there again, and I hope they lose LOTS of business because of such stupidity.

Rheged · July 28, 2024, 12:23:42 PM

Thank you, Lee. This information is a great service to whiffers.

The Wooksta! · July 28, 2024, 02:16:03 PM

As to how much in a can... 400ml in the Hicote (at 5.99 a can) 300ml in the Halfords (at 10.99 a can).

NARSES2 · July 29, 2024, 07:13:17 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on July 28, 2024, 02:16:03 PMAs to how much in a can... 400ml in the Hicote (at 5.99 a can) 300ml in the Halfords (at 10.99 a can).

Possibly the same manufacturer as well. Can't be that many about

jcf · July 30, 2024, 02:30:35 PM

Quote from: NARSES2 on July 29, 2024, 07:13:17 AM
Quote from: The Wooksta! on July 28, 2024, 02:16:03 PMAs to how much in a can... 400ml in the Hicote (at 5.99 a can) 300ml in the Halfords (at 10.99 a can).

Possibly the same manufacturer as well. Can't be that many about

According to posts on a model railroad forum Halfords changed their supplier and that
previously they'd been using James Briggs Ltd.
in Manchester. As it happens Hycote is the Briggs consumer brand.

jcf · July 30, 2024, 03:51:39 PM

Hycote's colour matched touch up sprays
are a 150ml spray can. Which is stated to
be equivalent to a 300ml can in quantity of
paint because it uses a different propellant
system. List is 5.99 a can.

Hycote Ford Strato Silver at My Motor World

Beermonster58 · July 31, 2024, 12:36:40 AM

Quote from: jcf on July 30, 2024, 03:51:39 PMHycote's colour matched touch up sprays
are a 150ml spray can. Which is stated to
be equivalent to a 300ml can in quantity of
paint because it uses a different propellant
system. List is 5.99 a can.

Hycote Ford Strato Silver at My Motor World

Interesting. I used quite a lot of Halfords pants but, I refuse to pay the price now. Might order a batch of these.

PR19_Kit · July 31, 2024, 02:40:54 AM

It'd be interesting to see how they deliver it, the Post Office won't accept paint in parcels these days.

zenrat · July 31, 2024, 04:28:57 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 31, 2024, 02:40:54 AMIt'd be interesting to see how they deliver it, the Post Office won't accept paint in parcels these days.

What, not at all? Thats ridiculous. We can't move it by air but by surface transport is OK.

PR19_Kit · July 31, 2024, 04:39:06 AM

I think that's the case, yes.

Tinlets of acrylics are OK, but not enamels, and because cans are pressurised they're considered dangerous. That's what the sales people told me when I tried to get the spray varnish I use for my home printed decals anyway.

NARSES2 · July 31, 2024, 05:51:41 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 31, 2024, 04:39:06 AMI think that's the case, yes.

Tinlets of acrylics are OK, but not enamels, and because cans are pressurised they're considered dangerous. That's what the sales people told me when I tried to get the spray varnish I use for my home printed decals anyway.

Not tried getting them posted for a couple of years, but as I understand it that's the rules now. I used to use a company that would produce aerosoles to the spec' you wanted. Single cans were pricey but it got cheaper the more you ordered, but they've only delivered by courier for years. Not even sure they are still going ?

Here's Hannants latest update on what they can and what they can't post

https://www.hannants.co.uk/help/question.php?question_id=110

jcf · July 31, 2024, 08:55:16 AM

Hycote have a store locator on their site:
Hycote Store Locator

NARSES2 · August 01, 2024, 12:26:28 AM

Quote from: jcf on July 31, 2024, 08:55:16 AMHycote have a store locator on their site:
Hycote Store Locator

And according to that there's one no more than 3 miles from where I live.

Quick update. On checking they appear to have filed for bankrupcy a couple of years ago, so I don't think that store locator is up to date.