Thread: Colchester Lathe Paint codes?

Hello, getting ready to repaint our 21 inch Clausing Colchester lathe from the 1970's with the blue/grey paint scheme. Does anyone have the paint codes for Colchester lathes? I contacted our Clausing rep in the state, but they didn't seem to have any idea what the code would be. If someone could supply this and any advice on what type of paint to use, that would be great. Thanks,

Chris

I painted a 17 X 80 Clausing Cochester a few months ago. It was a 2 tone blue/grey and white paint scheme. I took small pieces of the machines various colors to our local Sherwin Williams store and they tinted their machinery enamel to match. (Oil Based) Great stuff as far as coverage and durability. Put it on with a roller and you would think it was sprayed. I gave the remining paint to the buyer so I do not have any record of a paint code. As long as they can fit a piece under their color scanner they can make the color for you. Used the purple cleaner from Walmart to clean the beast prior to painting. Coolant gets everywhere. Rember to drop the bottom of the apron and clean it out!!

This is a good solid lathe, but the paint is bad - coolant got to it pretty good. We've got it totally down to pieces, coolant even got through top of the oil tank which had to be relined. Not much left for a decent shot with the color scanner. And we actually tried this once at our local paint shop with another machine and what they mixed up wasn't even close, so would rather have some paint codes if we could get them.

Thanks,
Chris

Originally Posted by Chris Epping

Hello, getting ready to repaint our 21 inch Clausing Colchester lathe from the 1970's with the blue/grey paint scheme. Does anyone have the paint codes for Colchester lathes? I contacted our Clausing rep in the state, but they didn't seem to have any idea what the code would be. If someone could supply this and any advice on what type of paint to use, that would be great. Thanks,

Chris

I do not know if the colors for the 21 inch are the same as the square head Colchester 15 x 50, but I used the following:

top - Dove Gray - BS3694 or BS3694ALT - from British Standard 4800 (BS4800)
bottom - Raven - BS418B29 - BS4800

These were supposed to be the original colors used on my lathe and appeared to be the correct ones (AFAICT - not having a new lathe to compare to... )

I used a PPG paint called Essential - it is a single stage (no clear coat needed) two part polyurethane meant for big trucks, airplanes, and the like. Be aware this is an isocyanate paint and requires a respirator rated for this kind of paint, should you decide to use it. My local PPG outlet called the main office, which had to call their office in Europe to come up with the formulas for these colors - the stateside people had no idea what to use. But it was worth the effort and I was pleased with the outcome:

Thanks for the reply, the lathe looks good. So are those numbers PPG numbers only or what? I tried to get my paint guy to cross them and he couldn't make sense of them. Thanks,

Chris