[Heathkit] SB-303 fix up.

[Glen Zook]

Virtually all of the SB-Line cabinets were not primed
before painting and therefore will often start
"flaking" if you try to paint over the original paint.
 In fact, most of the Heath cabinets (i.e. those on
the DX series except for the original DX-100) were
generally not primed.

What I do is to completely strip the paint from the
cabinet by various means.  Sometimes by sanding,
sometimes with a chemical stripper, sometimes by "sand
blasting", depending on how well the original paint
was applied.  Then I prime the cabinet.  Now there are
"special" primers made to use with aluminum but I have
had no problems at all using the really "cheap" primer
(costs me 97 cents per spray can) from WalMart.  That
is "ColorPlace" #20010 Gray Primer.

For the "crackle" finish I use Rusteolum "Stone
Creations".  It comes in several colors but I have
found that the gray works best.  You have to practice
on something like a piece of cardboard to get the
right "touch" for getting a fairly light "crackle".  I
hold the nozzel about 18 inches away from the cabinet
and do very short bursts while moving the can.  This
results in a fairly light crackle.

After the crackle dries (takes at least a couple of
hours unless the weather is really hot) and then paint
the cabinet the desired color.

Now Heath used at least 5 different shades of paint on
the SB-Line cabinets and there was no rhyme or reason
as to which color would come with any unit.  In fact,
it was possible to order a complete station consisting
of say an SB-301, SB-401, SB-600, SB-630, and SB-200
and get all 5 different colored cabinets at the same
time.  Also, there were at least 3 different shades of
dark green used on the front panels and all 3 might
come on the same units ordered at the same time.

The SB-104 units generally came with the same color on
the cabinets and this was one of the 5 colors that
came on the rest of the SB-Line.  That particular
color is more of a gray with just a "hint" of green
and is, in my opinion, the best looking of any of the
Heath SB-Line cabinet colors.  I have repainted all of
my SB-Line equipment cabinets that particular color. 
Of course I still have all 3 of the front panel colors
but having the cabinets all the same color really
helps with the cosmetic appeal of the units.

I use acryllic paint for cabinets.  It dries much
harder than the usual enamel but still cleans up with
water.  The paint is not as hard as "epoxy" paint but
is definitely MUCH easier to work with.  You do need
to let the paint harden for a couple of days before
putting the equipment back in.  It dries to the touch
in just a few minutes but the paint is not really
"hard" for between 24 and 48 hours.

The formula from Sherwin-Williams for the gray that I
use on SB-Line cabinets is

The formula for the light green like was used on the
SB-104 is as follows:

For 1 quart Sherwin-Williams ProClassic Extra White
satin base:

BAC Colorant  OZ  32  64  128

B1- Black     -    7   1    1
L1- Blue      -    6   1    -
N1- Raw Umber -   62   -    -
Y3- Deep Gold -    -   1    1


You will need some type of spray rig to use this
paint.  If you don't have an air compressor and paint
gun there are several types of applicators that cost
under $10 available from places like Harbor Freight. 
They are not as good as a real paint rig but for doing
relatively small jobs on an occasional basis they will
work fine.

As for not filling the holes:  You have to spray the
paint lightly and hold the paint gun, spray can, etc.,
at least a foot away from the metal.

Glen, K9STH


--- kiyoinc at attglobal.net wrote:

No dents or extra holes but the edge of the cabinet
has scratches on it.
 
The cabinet desperately needs a repaint.   Glen,
what's the best way to do this?  I have several round
'n greens that need repainting, most are grey.
 
I've never repainted a radio and I'm afraid that I'll
end up clogging a hole.  Anyone have any tips for
this. 
 
I also have an SB-303 cabinet that someone ground the
paint off.  Then they shot it with an aluminum primer.
 I do the "trial" on that one.  If I just shoot that
one, it'll turn out gloss or flat and not wrinkled.
 
Is there a special way to prep the cabinet for the
wrinkle?    Can "OK" cabinets just be oversprayed to
"freshen" up the color?










Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


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