[Heathkit] SB-303 fix up.

Mon Oct 8 11:59:42 EDT 2007

Thanks, for your response to this question.  I personally found this
particular post very helpful.

Larry N7LB 

-----Original Message-----
From: heathkit-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:heathkit-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Glen Zook
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 9:54 AM
To: kiyoinc at attglobal.net; heathkit at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Heathkit] SB-303 fix up.

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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