paint

[Mysterious Mose]

I'm starting to build this kit and wonder about the option of painting the bell end.  Has anyone done this?  What kind of paint and what colors?

[galyons]

Yes! to painting the end bell. You will likely regret it if you don't finish the end bell before assembly. Now is the time to do it.  Almost any high quality "rattle can" paint will do the job.  Make sure to prime unless the paint specifies priming is not necessary.  Hammertone, 2 stage automotive, appliance epoxy...all have been used. Let your creativity flow!!!

Cheers,
Geary

[Doc B.]

The most important aspect of painting the bell end is getting it really clean before you lay on any primer or paint. Paint thinner, acetone, etc. will do the heavy cleaning, and running them thru the dishwasher afterward will get them really grease free. Scuffing with a Scotchbrite pad will help the primer or paint to adhere.

[rockdrummer]

I have primer and a black hammered Rust-Oleum paint, but I am wondering if I should or should not paint the underside of the bell. 

Thanks,
Ben

[Paul Birkeland]

I can't think of any reason to paint the bottom side of the transformer cover.

-PB

[Natural Sound]

I can't think of any reason to paint the bottom side of the transformer cover.

-PB

Rust? I've seen a couple of used Bottlehead offerings that had unpainted and rusted bell ends (top). Yeah the bottom isn't that important. I personally like to get at least a coat or two of paint on there for oxidation prevention. YMMV.

[Grainger49]

Clear will work on the underside of the end bell.  Be certain that the area where the star washers is not painted or clear coated.

[Bill Epstein]

In three different towns, I've always been able to find a metal finishing company that will throw end bells and top plates in with their regular powder coat  production runs for around $20 bucks per job. Same for anodizing aluminum top plates. They're always running black and the turnaround is just a few days.

Just walk in and ask.

One time I told the foreman that I had a brass top plate that I just couldn't get to shine after machining. He told me they'd polish it for $20. When I went to pick it up, the owner brought it out to me and asked what it was. When I told him, that it was for a hobby, he wouldn't take my money.

[Nathan]

I painted the bell but not part of my original build. Simply masked off the entire crack with heavy craft paper and painters tape and left the bell exposed. One coat of primer and a couple of coats of paint, and we're done. Took more time to mask off the crack than it did to shoot some spray paint on the bell.