Horsebox paint choices

Horsebox Paint choices

So, you have made the big decision to buy a bespoke horsebox for your horses.

Now you have to decide what colour paintwork you would like.

The Vibrant World of Paint

Welcome to the captivating realm of paint, where colours come alive, and surfaces transform into masterpieces.

One of the most exciting aspects of the paint world is the vast array of colour choices available. From classic neutrals to bold and vibrant hues, the possibilities are virtually endless. Paint manufacturers offer extensive colour palettes, allowing you to find the perfect shade to complement your personal style or design vision. Whether you prefer warm and cosy tones, cool and calming hues, or vibrant and energetic colours, there is a paint option to suit your preferences.

* Metallic Paint

Metallic paint is a true showstopper, offering a luxurious and eye-catching finish that catches the light in mesmerizing ways. These paints contain finely ground metallic particles, such as aluminium or mica, suspended in the paint base. When applied, the metallic flakes create a stunning, shimmering effect that adds depth and dimension to any surface.

From bold and vibrant hues to subtle and understated tones, metallic paints offer a wide range of colour options to suit any aesthetic preference.

* Non-Metallic Paint

Non-metallic paints, also known as solid or flat paints, are the workhorses of the paint world. These paints provide a smooth, uniform finish without any added shimmer or reflective properties. They are available in an extensive range of colours, from classic neutrals to bold and vibrant hues and they are ideal for horseboxes.

* Pearl Paint

This unique paint offers a dramatic depth and radiance that transforms any horsebox into a true showstopper.

Pearl horsebox paint is a specialised type of automotive paint that contains microscopic mica, or ceramic particles suspended in a transparent base coat. These tiny particles reflect and refract light in a way that creates a stunning, multi-dimensional effect. The result is a finish that shimmers and shines, with a depth and richness that cannot be achieved with traditional solid colours.

While pearl horsebox paint is often associated with classic shades like white, silver, and black, the truth is that the possibilities are virtually endless.

Stunning colours from KPH

Metallic green paint mixing

Our paint team, with help from our paint manufacturer, have assembled an extensive range of colours to suite every taste.

If customers want something even more bespoke, we can mix or match almost any colour.

For customers, the paint is usually the most exciting part, and it totally transforms the build.

The internet is full of run-of-the-mill horsebox colours, I am happy to report that we have gone the opposite direction and by design, put together a paint team with true dedication and just as importantly heaps of flair.

When we say bespoke paintwork, the team will create something inspiring and unique. They are innovative and always testing new ideas, paint colours and finishes.

Why we go the extra mile and sand between coats

With our goal being the best possible horsebox finish and ensuring a high-quality, long-lasting result, we sand between coats to achieve a smooth, professional result.

On the flip side, wet on wet painting is a common and much cheaper alternative common in the industry. This process is one where a new coat is applied before the previous one has fully dried. It may seem like a quick and cost-effective solution, but it can lead to disastrous consequences when painting horseboxes. When you apply a new coat of paint before the previous one has dried, the solvents in the new layer can react with the underlying coat, causing bubbles and uneven drying. This phenomenon, known as “solvent pop” and “dieback,” can severely compromise the integrity and appearance of the paintwork and should be avoided at all costs. Applying a new coat too soon prevents the solvents from fully evaporating, leading to inconsistent drying and a poor bond between the layers. This can result in a finish that is prone to peeling, flaking, and other long-term issues. In our humid conditions, the moisture in the air can further compound the problems associated with wet on wet painting, as it can become trapped within the paint layers, leading to even more severe drying and adhesion problems.

It is definitely worth asking your manufacturer the processes involved in painting!

Chassis and component spraying

Always looking at the longevity of our horseboxes, we fully spray the chassis, sub frame, cab underside, engine, gearbox, all our steel work plus the inside surfaces of the skirts with oil resistant paint.

Then we add further protection by spraying Waxoyl.

In fact we spend almost as long painting the parts customers never see as we do spraying the outside colour.

Our KPH horsebox paint process

Surprisingly, horsebox spraying is more involved than just spraying the finished horsebox.

On the day a customer’s chassis appears on site, one of the paint team will strip and label all the parts and place them on a labelled trolley. This is so that we don’t have mix ups later.

Then, after our mechanic has inspected the new chassis, or serviced a used one, they will steam clean it and take particular care to remove all the oil and grease.

The chassis then enters the manufacturing process, and the sub frame is built.

The next step is for the paint team again when they take the chassis into the preparation shop for sanding.

Three coats of paint and one coat of Waxoyl later the chassis arrives back in the workshop for the remainder of the build.

In the meantime, the team have been cleaning and spraying any parts removed at the start of the build. So, the bonnet, wind deflector corners, bumper and lettering for the bonnet have all been colour coordinated to match.

We do this on all our horseboxes and as an example, if you compare our cab fronts to other horseboxes you will see the extra care and detailed work that our paint team actually put into each KPH bespoke build.

For the next stage, the un-sprayed horsebox disappears into the KPH Sprayshop and then goes through the following processes: