Opinions on colour

[Cupra TDI 150]

Hi guys

A bit of a trivial one for you all, now with the rear bumper is sorted for the tow bar, my attention has turned to a very trivial matter, the hitch its self. I noticed that the removable part of the tow bar looks as if its left as the finish it came out from casting, and the relevant parts that come in contact are machined. With all the salt that is on the road at the moment when its fitted I have large patches of white marks than don't come off easily if at all.

So here comes the idea, I either paint it or lacquer it to make it easier to clean. Like I said its a trivial thing but if the cars clean and the tow bar is fitted it looks a bit crap, I know its a bit picky but hey ho.

A couple of options I have, and would like peoples opinions if they have a few minutes are, 1, I give it a clean and a coat or 2 of clear lacquer 2, I have a tin of silver paint from when I owned my Leon that I can use, or 3 I buy some black paint. Options 4 and 5 i've binned off myself and being a bit OTT or would stupid, ie 4, being that I colour code it to the car (White) and 5, bright red so as people don't hit it when fitted.

Thanks for your time

 

[Derbian]

Hi

No real opinions on colour, just a reminder not to try painting the ball itself. if you end up towing anything with any sort of stabilising hitch (Alko/Wintrehoff etc) they rely on friction pads inside the hitch. Paint or even worse any sort of oil /grease stops the pads gripping the ball.

Usual advise on caravan/towing forums is to leave the ball itself as bright metal and give it an occasional wipe with some sort of degreaser and then something like Scotchbrite to take of any light corrosion.

 

[Cupra TDI 150]

Hi

No real opinions on colour, just a reminder not to try painting the ball itself. if you end up towing anything with any sort of stabilising hitch (Alko/Wintrehoff etc) they rely on friction pads inside the hitch. Paint or even worse any sort of oil /grease stops the pads gripping the ball.

Usual advise on caravan/towing forums is to leave the ball itself as bright metal and give it an occasional wipe with some sort of degreaser and then something like Scotchbrite to take of any light corrosion.

Thanks for you reply, great bit of info about not applying any oil or grease, not having had a tow bar before, I was thinking that the the ball should be greased to aid use and movement. I can see how doing so would affect any stabilising device. The most I tow is a trailer to the local tip, I mainly use the tow hitch for my cycle carrier. I hadn't though about painting the the ball itself, as I thought it would probably rub or wear off.