[MRCA] Restoring panels and cases.

[David Olean]

Hello fellow MFP sniffers!

I have a few questions about cleaning up some WW2 gear.  I was very 
fortunate to acquire a Bendix loop assembly from the mid 1930's, a 
DU-1.  It is in pretty poor shape in that it suffers from some aluminum 
corrosion that has worked its way through the fine grained black wrinkle 
finish. The effect is quite bad with white powder residue mixed in the 
wrinkle finish. No amount of cleaning will remove the white stuff.  Does 
anyone have any ideas on how to clean it up without painting it?  The 
labels are etched into the aluminum front panel. The etching is pretty 
fine and not very deep. The lettering is white.

Pending other input from the experts, I figure the best approach is to 
strip the existing paint and clean up the aluminum case. My only problem 
is that I have no clue how to re do the white lettering on a new wrinkle 
finish. I am going to build up a paint oven, most likely with a number 
of infra red heat lamps. I have read that wrinkle finish requires some 
baking at near 80 degrees C for good results. I also know that some 
people actually remove the wrinkle paint from metal spray cans so that 
they can get a better job done with air brushes or auto touch up 
sprayers.  I would appreciate any tips on applying wrinkle finish, but I 
am most interested in how I can restore the white lettering with the new 
paint finish.

Thank you for any and all helpful hints.

Dave K1WHS

(addicted to MFP)