[R-390] front panel restoration

[Bruce Mac Lellan]

Jerry, 
 
I agree that the best way to remove that old and hard paint is with a paint remover.   I have had excellent results by just using automotive brake fluid.   I tape off the holes from the back of the panel and set it on blocks to be pretty much level, them apply a good coat of the brake fluid and go away for a day or two.  A second application may be necessary.    I use a wooden stick to clean out the engraving.    When it's ready to paint,  wipe it down with white vinager, a thin coat of zinc chromate  and then the finish of your choice.    This works well for me and the brake fluid is much less expensive than aircraft paint remover.
 
Bruce     > Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 09:06:04 -0600> From: w5kp at hughes.net> To: r-390 at mailman.qth.net> CC: r-390 at mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [R-390] front panel restoration> > Lots of ways to do this, and to me blasting is one of the least > desirable. Hank Arney's setup is probably hands down the best method > there is, but of course he does panels by the hundreds. For us poor > onesies-twosies guys who must do things the hard (cheap) way, Jet Strip > is the only thing that has worked for me. Other than O'Reilly's Auto > Parts, it's available on several automotive/industrial products websites > such as this one:> > http://www.autobodymaster.com/product_list.jsp?PHPRJ_GROUP_ID=44073> > Enjoy your shop time, there's never enough of it!> 73, Jerry W5KP> > > Paul Anderson wrote:> > I use aircraft paint stripper on the front panel and on the knobs to> > remove what will come off, and soften the rest, then plastic media> > blast the remainder. Rather than resorting to bead blasting, I will> > put another layer of paint stripper on.> >> > Most any metal, sand or glass media will start pushing metal around,> > which you don't really want if the panel is engraved. If it is not> > engraved, it matters less.> >> > I never had problems with paint stripper getting on the back of the> > panel and removing paint that I didn't want to - I was just careful> > not to glob it on the back while brash brushing off the residue.> >> > Paul> >> > On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 8:01 AM, Cecil Acuff <chacuff at cableone.net> wrote:> > > >> 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> >>>> >>> > >> _____________________________________________________________> >> R-390 mailing list> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm> >> Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net> >> Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/options/r-390> >>> >> > > _____________________________________________________________> > R-390 mailing list> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm> > Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net> > Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/options/r-390> >> > > _____________________________________________________________> R-390 mailing list> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm> Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net> Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/options/r-390
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