[Collins] KWM-1 Paint

[Glen Zook]

Today, while trying to get the paint matched for a
Collins KWM-1 transceiver and power supply I found
that my local Sherwin-Williams store didn't stock the
type of paint that I really needed.  They then
referred me to their "main" store which is about 10
miles from where I live.

When I got there, they told me that it would take
about 4 days to get the paint mixed for me (they had
about 80 orders before mine!).  Then, the salesman got
an idea.  He ran the KWM-1 power supply cover on their
computer matching unit and then started checking
around.  It seems that Collins used a "standard" color
on the KWM-1.

The particular store that I was dealing with works
mainly with equipment manufacturers dealing with
telephone, computer, and other communications
equipment.  It turns out that on the KWM-1 Collins
used what is called in the industry "ASA-61 gray".

They had spray cans already loaded with this color in
both a laquer and in a "new" fast drying, hard drying,
gloss finish paint.  Since the minimum order in this
type of paint is 1 gallon, and since a gallon was
almost $39, I "opted" for two cans at $7.10 each. 
Although one can would have been more than enough to
do the units, I went ahead and bought two cans just to
save a trip in the near future if I need this type of
paint again.

The information on the spray cans is as follows:

Sherwin Williams
F77XXA9305-7040
ASA 61 Gray
9/02

I sanded down the old paint job rather than completely
remove it.  As I was painting, I had to look very
closely to tell where I had painted!  The color is so
exact and the finish was so good, that it was
difficult to tell where the new paint was and the old
paint left off!

Unfortunately, this paint is a "shade" darker than
that which is used on the KWM-2 and the "S-Line". 
However, I have previously gotten those colors matched
and thus don't need them right now!

Anyway, I know that there are a lot more KWM-2 and
"S-Line" units out there than the KWM-1.  But, if
someone is going to repaint their KWM-1, a spray can
at $7.10 (enough to do both the power supply and
transceiver) is a pretty good deal.

I also have scanned the serial number tag and the
Collins logo from the KWM-1 power supply.  They are
not "perfect" since the original was silk-screened on.
 But, they do look pretty good.  I removed the serial
number so that the actual serial number of the unit
can be printed on the label in black ink like the
original.  Both the serial label and the logo are
printed on single weight photo paper and can be glued
onto the new paint job.  They aren't as good as the
original, but definitely look better than no
information at all!

Anyone who is interested in copies of these, contact
me directly.

Glen, K9STH

=====
Glen, K9STH

Web sites

http://home.comcast.net/~k9sth
http://home.comcast.net/~zcomco


	
		
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