Advice on finish (and application) for top plate (& xformer bells?)

Downhome Upstate · 5782

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Offline Downhome Upstate

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on: November 29, 2012, 07:29:37 AM
UPS delivered my still boxed-up Stereomour kit today  ;D, and I'd like to paint or otherwise apply a nice, lasting finish on the top plate before assembly. Any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks.

P.S. I haven't even opened the box yet, and so have no idea what the transformer bells look like. Are they a good candidate for this treatment too?

"Too soon old;
   Too late schmart"

    The late Mr. Fox, Fox's Deli, Rochester, NY

Mike P.

Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #1 on: November 29, 2012, 07:56:41 AM
I'd open the box and check the stock plate finish first to see if you like it.  Leaving the plate unpainted has some advantages, as the factory finish hides scratches nicely.

The transformer cover really must be painted, I would toss it in the next time you run your dishwasher, then sand it down with some coarse steel wool to be sure all the oil is off.  Beyond that, a clear coat of polyurethane or epoxy-based spray paint will provide a good lasting finish.

You can spray that same paint on the plate chokes if you like.

-PB

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man

Offline Tickwomp

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Reply #2 on: November 29, 2012, 09:13:39 AM
If were to build anything new, I'd have the top plates powder coated!  If you can find the right shop, it's quick, durable, tons of finishes, and fairly reasonably priced!

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Offline ODYOFAEL

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Reply #3 on: December 07, 2012, 12:21:56 PM
I used some leftover automotive paint. I had some Honda paint code mixed for retouching. Also used 2K Automotive clear coat. I painted the bell and OT with wrinkle paint. As for the wood base, just go to OSH or Home Depot and chose from the catalog.(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi104.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fm172%2Fqctirecenter%2FBottlehead%2520and%2520Music%2520room%2FIMG_0582_zpsca8a8d54.jpg&hash=f1fdaa8a93f98449ac5d86c26cfda2d194c30c41)


Offline Downhome Upstate

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Reply #4 on: December 09, 2012, 02:35:14 PM
Quote from: ODYOFAEL on December 07, 2012, 12:21:56 PM
I used some leftover automotive paint. I had some Honda paint code mixed for retouching. Also used 2K Automotive clear coat. I painted the bell and OT with wrinkle paint. As for the wood base, just go to OSH or Home Depot and chose from the catalog.(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi104.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fm172%2Fqctirecenter%2FBottlehead%2520and%2520Music%2520room%2FIMG_0582_zpsca8a8d54.jpg&hash=f1fdaa8a93f98449ac5d86c26cfda2d194c30c41)

Nice! The Darth Vader look . . .

"Too soon old;
   Too late schmart"

    The late Mr. Fox, Fox's Deli, Rochester, NY

Mike P.

Offline coca

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Reply #5 on: December 10, 2012, 04:23:39 AM
There are so many options. I have sanded and polished my top plates, then sprayed them with a clear, I have also sanded them and had them chromed, and some of them even copper plated. I have also had some of my trans. covers gold plated and copper plated.

Bernie.


Offline debk

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Reply #6 on: December 10, 2012, 07:17:19 AM
i usually spray the top plate and transformers bells with copper hammertone paint

Deb

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Offline Reap

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Reply #7 on: December 14, 2012, 06:46:24 AM
Quote from: ODYOFAEL on December 07, 2012, 12:21:56 PM
I used some leftover automotive paint. I had some Honda paint code mixed for retouching. Also used 2K Automotive clear coat. I painted the bell and OT with wrinkle paint. As for the wood base, just go to OSH or Home Depot and chose from the catalog.(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi104.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fm172%2Fqctirecenter%2FBottlehead%2520and%2520Music%2520room%2FIMG_0582_zpsca8a8d54.jpg&hash=f1fdaa8a93f98449ac5d86c26cfda2d194c30c41)

I like the dark look. Probably a great contrast to tubes lighting up too and probably settles in with it's surroundings as well.


Offline Chris

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Reply #8 on: December 14, 2012, 11:13:59 AM
That wrinkle paint is nice.. I like it also..


Offline Downhome Upstate

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Reply #9 on: December 15, 2012, 08:35:23 AM
I had another look at the steel brushwork Doc did on the top plate, and liked it so much I just shot the first coat of Rustoleum gloss clear.

When you paint the chokes, do you tape-off everything except the plain steel brackets?

"Too soon old;
   Too late schmart"

    The late Mr. Fox, Fox's Deli, Rochester, NY

Mike P.

Offline Downhome Upstate

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Reply #10 on: December 15, 2012, 10:34:17 AM
Damn! Has anyone besides me screwed up the paint job on the top plate?  Think I'm going to have to take the badly-applied finish down to the metal and tear up that nice wire brushwork.

"Too soon old;
   Too late schmart"

    The late Mr. Fox, Fox's Deli, Rochester, NY

Mike P.

Offline Doc B.

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Reply #11 on: December 15, 2012, 12:57:25 PM
If you want to send the panel back I will rebrush it for you.

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

Offline Downhome Upstate

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Reply #12 on: December 16, 2012, 02:54:48 AM
Quote from: Doc B. on December 15, 2012, 12:57:25 PM
If you want to send the panel back I will rebrush it for you.

Hey, Doc. Thanks for the offer. I'd like to fix this myself, though. Any suggestions on the right drill attachment to use, and on technique?

"Too soon old;
   Too late schmart"

    The late Mr. Fox, Fox's Deli, Rochester, NY

Mike P.

Offline Downhome Upstate

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Reply #13 on: December 16, 2012, 03:02:15 AM
I'm going to try paint stripper first.

"Too soon old;
   Too late schmart"

    The late Mr. Fox, Fox's Deli, Rochester, NY

Mike P.

Offline Downhome Upstate

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Reply #14 on: December 21, 2012, 04:20:08 AM
The 'Orange' eco paint stripper spray I got at Home Depot worked pretty well. I was able to gently brush the stripper and lacquer residue off the top plate and then clean it with odorless mineral spirits, all without destroying Doc's wire brushwork. I'd give the result about a 9 out of 10.   8)

My Orcas are due on Christmas Eve; time to get building. Merry Christmas, everyone!

"Too soon old;
   Too late schmart"

    The late Mr. Fox, Fox's Deli, Rochester, NY

Mike P.

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