[R-390] front panel restoration

[Cecil Acuff]

Not sure what it would do on a steel panel..will use it on my SX-28A 
project....but it does "Expand" the metal enough on an aluminum panel to 
cause a change in shape.

Cecil
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Nickels" <ranickel at comcast.net>
To: "Cecil Acuff" <chacuff at cableone.net>
Cc: <odyslim at comcast.net>; "r390 list" <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 10:30 PM
Subject: Re: [R-390] front panel restoration


> Cecil Acuff wrote:
>> You have to go easy around the engravings.
>>
> I wouldn't use my bead blaster for just that reason, although I can't 
> imagine it producing sufficient force to warp a 1/8" thick steel panel! 
> I've always had good luck with chemical strippers but still end up sanding 
> panels before painting.
>
> I think Hank Arney will confirm that the professional surface treatment is 
> called a "Timesaver".  This is actually the name of the company that makes 
> the Timesaver machines, which are essentially very large belt sanders. 
> Running a panel through a Timesaver is roughly the same as running a piece 
> of wood through a surface planer, only much less metal is removed.   With 
> proper setup a very smooth, flat surface results, without damaging the 
> engraving.  In fact, the machine leaves a "grain" that helps paint adhere, 
> or in the case of aluminum, makes for an attractive finish when anodized 
> (what most of us would call "brushed aluminum").
>
> I've not done it with an R-390 panel (yet) but I have used a wood shop 
> type belt sander for the same purpose.  For a less aggressive approach, a 
> random orbital sander works really well and doesn't leave a "grainy" 
> appearance.  Velcro-back sandpaper in different grits can take you from 
> rough removal down to the finish you want.
>
> 73, Bob W9RAN
>