[Milsurplus] [Boatanchors] BC-9 Radio - Paint Question

[Glen Zook]

It has been my experience that paint, under such things as the hanger on this item, generally has not been affected by time and represents the original color.  This color is often brighter, lighter, and so forth, than what we are used to seeing because of the effects of time especially oxidation and just plain grime.


For "boat anchor" restorations, I always try to find some place on the cabinet, i.e. where the panel is held tightly to the chassis, where the paint is the original color.  Then, I have that place "computer matched" at my local Sherwin-Williams store.  Over the years, they have been very accurate in getting an exact match to the original color.  When doing a true restoration, at least in my opinion, the colors need to be returned to what they were when originally put on the item and NOT what the color has degraded over time.


Although not directly dealing with military equipment, here is the article that contains the Sherwin-Williams formulas for a number of "boat anchor" equipment.  Any good paint store should be able to use these and get the correct paint.  With the exception of the Collins S-Line cabinet paint, which is for a gallon, all of the formulas are for 1-quart.  However, the paint store can adjust those formulas for different quantities of paint.


http://nebula.wsimg.com/4edb6c0bffb65b9ed4051742e683b27d?AccessKeyId=D1250C433DB440D6B60D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1



Although a home improvement center (Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.) may be more convenient, I just do not trust those stores to get the colors correct.  Frankly, it is "hit or miss" with most of the home improvement centers with the actual abilities of the paint department employees.  A true paint store is much more likely to have competent color matching personnel.  "Computer matching" can get the color close but it often takes a human to get the color exactly correct and most home improvement employees just do not have the experience to do so.


My eldest daughter, Rebecca Zook, who has become a well known fine arts artist, has "perfect color" in that she can match colors so well that one cannot even get a "hint" of difference.  She can see the various tints that were used to create the paint.  Where I might see red, she sees red, blue, yellow, etc. all of which were used to create the paint.  Unfortunately, she lives 90-miles away so I, generally, have to use Sherwin-Williams to mix my paint!

 Glen, K9STH 
Website: http://k9sth.net

      From: David Stinson <arc5 at ix.netcom.com>
 To: mrca at mailman.qth.net; milsurplus at mailman.qth.net; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2016 8:59 PM
 Subject: [Boatanchors] BC-9 Radio - Paint Question
   
A question for those of you who have worked with
WWI and 1920s mil rigs (Hello, Mike M?).

I'm carefully photographing, measuring and documenting
the original paint finish on my 1921 BC-9 Infantry rig
with its 12th Infantry stenciled marking. 
The original paint, several overcoats and markings 
are crumbling away and about 70% gone:
https://goo.gl/photos/iWBcaJkZQi9uotRw9

I intend to remove the remainder of the dead paint,
repair and condition the wood and "furniture" and 
refinish the cabinet in its original unit colors.

Under the flaking and chipping paint, all the outer
surfaces seem to have had a first paint coat of
some sort of red- cabinet, furniture etc.  All have
the red undercoat.  Was this some type of primer?

I removed one of the strap hangers from the side
of the cabinet both to repair it and get it
out of the way of the cabinet repair/refinish.  
The inner side of the hanger, pressed against the
side of the cabinet and thus not slapped with the
multiple coats of goo applied over 96 years, has the
red undercoat and a single coat of olive drab.

Here's my main question:  The "olive drab" under
this hanger is a different hue than that common to 
WWII Army O.D. or the "Deeper green" of  
Marine Corps O.D.  This is a lighter, "dusky-er"
O.D. hue with a hint of brown:
https://goo.gl/photos/ZUS37Uy9EqWF2rHv6
https://goo.gl/photos/WXkZPZPkUEoSGxQo8
Is this O.D. hue "correct" for WWI - 1920s 
Army gear, or has the color oxidized over 96 years?
Seems a lighter shade of that used on the early 
BC-474 rigs.

TNX OM DE Dave AB5S


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