Painting Suggestions Concerns for PC-5's

Jm8542 · 2569

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Offline Jm8542

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on: November 15, 2020, 08:01:49 AM
Hi I am planning on painting the PC-5's and just wanted to make sure I didn't screw anything up. Any suggestions or concerns for prep and things to avoid?



Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #1 on: November 15, 2020, 08:17:02 AM
Painting is no problem.  I wouldn't use harsh solvents on the chokes prior to painting, as that may remove the varnish that's applied during production.

When I finish them, I will typically rub them down with steel wool and alcohol to get them clean, then I spray over them with black lacquer and let them dry for a couple of days.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline Jm8542

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Reply #2 on: November 15, 2020, 08:59:06 AM
Thank you!!



Offline Emoreigns

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Reply #3 on: Today at 06:02:52 AM
Is it necessary to paint the PC-5's to prevent rust like the transformer bell/ caps?

I'm right at the point of installing these in my Kaiju build right now, and figure it will be easier to paint them before they are attached haha-

I'm not sure if it is proper protocol to reply to an old thread like this for a similar topic, or if it is correct just to start a new thread!

Thanks for the help everyone!

~Happy Listening


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #4 on: Today at 07:39:37 AM
The PC-5s and OT-5s are covered with a clear varnish that is impregnated throughout the laminations, coils and all over the outside. You can paint over it to change the look, but it is not necessary for protection.

The bell end of the power transformer does not have a protective varnish. It only has a waxy coating that is a temporary finish intended only to last through shipping. I do recommend stripping that wax coating and painting or clear coating to prevent rust.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline Emoreigns

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Reply #5 on: Today at 08:45:10 AM
Thanks Doc-

Painting the bell of the transformer is always the first thing I do on these builds, so the paint can dry- All good there!

I liked the look of the PC5's the way they are, so I am glad I don't have to paint them and can use them as is!

As always thanks for the help!

~Happy Listening


Offline hmbscott

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Reply #6 on: Today at 01:21:55 PM
I've been painting chassis plates and end bells with Rust-oleum Hammered, which takes forever to harden so I use a little trick that should work well with any similar gloss enamel. Note that I specifically recommend against doing this with a choke or transformer or anything else with circuitry in it. This is strictly for metal parts.

After spraying I give the part 24-48 hours to dry then I place it in our kitchen oven set at 180F and leave it there to bake for 30-45 minutes. After which I give it another 24 hours before using. This does two things. It greatly speeds up the curing and making it hard enough for assembly without fear of marking it up soft paint, a huge benefit because without this step I have had to wait 2-3 weeks for a thick Hammered paint coat to harden sufficiently. Secondly, it really enhances the gloss. It gives it much higher gloss than as-sprayed.

After using (abusing?) the oven this way I run a self-clean cycle on it to blast out the fumes that had off-gassed from the paint. Oh, by the way, I haven't shared with my better half that I have abused our oven in this manner, and I have made sure she would not be home until several hours after completing the paint bake/oven clean cycle to ensure the kitchen no longer smelled of paint fumes.

Scott
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Offline Doc B.

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Reply #7 on: Today at 06:19:12 PM
As long as the oven temp is down where you suggest this is fine. We learned the hard way several years ago that higher temps can cause pretty bad embrittlement of the hammered paint and it can crack and chip off the part.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.