[R-390] R-390A Panels

[Pete Williams]

​ As a  believer in the  KISS principle., my restorative procedures with
these panels prefer to restore to original or  somewhat  better
condition than when manufactured  for  military  use.
Recent mailings appear to indicate that  'concour  d' elegance ' was the
objective  on a mass production  cycle ....a pleasantly finished  panel
certainly is  desirable , but  an  overall attractive  and useful
R-390A means more than a  smart looking  panel .
My own experiences doing over   30 of  these in past years ... finished
product equal to  the  original with minimum of  fuss and elaborate
stripping techniques ..... and  no  complaints from the  clients .
They are  engraved types--- EAC usually
1...All panels denuded of  paint using auto  stripper  methylene
chloride...engravings usually  come  clean  as  well but a   brass/bronze
'tooth brush' type can assist..... maybe  faint  scratches but these
disappear  during next  stage.
2...After  washing. panel is block sanded with  #1200  wet n dry... after
any deep  scratches/ indents  cleaned up with a  filler.. the objective
being to have a surface  that will take etch primer  and  final  coats.
3...Pressure  pack etch primer sprayed on THINLY.. for obvious  reasons
after being  thoroughly degreased.  A light  wet n dry  going over if
required.
4... Pressure pack coats of  shop prepared color applied thinly...I use
auto  acrylic. Allowed to cure .
5... Engravings filled with  artists  titanium  white:  squeegeed off
---excess  always  occurs. This  procedure already on file  from  back copy
of  ER.
6... Finally  panel  cleaned off with  semi  abrasive  auto polish;

The rear of the panel repainted  with  machinery  grey after masking the
components  ID's.

Some  might think my  doings  are   a  bit  agricultural by comparison with
the other   offerings, but the  finished product, with minimum of
extraneous  activities , has  stood the  test of  time   ...Very
gratifying when other afficionados  visit a customer  and   remark 'just
looks  like  new one.
Needless to say.  all other  mechanical/electrical  activities worked on
to  complete  the   event.
Cheers
Pete V K3IZ