[R-390] Painting Notes and Parts

[David P. Goncalves]

1. Jeez, that paint that they used on the R-390 is tough to remove. I let
the knobs soak for a WEEK in Zip-Strip, and I still had to sand them. I
spread the stripper on the panel with a plastic scraper (which then melted
into yellow goo) and still has to scrub it for an hour - and that was just
the gray bits! The white lettering refuses to go! The bare alodined panel
sure looks nice though. If it wasn't for the ugly scratches, I'd just
clear coat it. I'd impress my friends with my 'gold plated' radio.

In comparison, the paint I used on one of the knobs (to try out different
colors) bubbled and flaked off in a couple minutes.

What the heck is that paint made of? The white paint can't be acrylic, can
it?

2. In a Icarus moment: As I was removing my perfectly
stripped-sanded-preped-primed-sanded-epoxy painted knobs from my
spray paining jig to put them on the baking sheet, the jig fell to the
floor, wrecking the finish on each and every knob. I quit for the
night and went for a walk in the Common. Next time I'm doing them
one-at-a-time.

3. Leeds Electronics (www.leedselect.com) seems to be selling a Dejur
100 microamp meter ($6) in the 1.75" square case most desired for
replacements. They also have IERC shields in stock too. If they are
reasonable in price, don't buy too many, I need some!


Dave Goncalves