Certainly skilled crafstmanship, air brushes and industrial paints are superb for South Bend lathe restoration. Yet--there is another way....
I'm restoring an old 9C. I took the entire machine apart. I cleaned each part with hot water, laundry soap,a tooth brush and soft bristle brass wire brush. I also used compressed air and pipe cleaners. I used an old thin knife and scribe as tools to clean the corners.
I took the bed to the car wash and used 4$ of quarters to clean every speck of grime and grease.
Then I used Rustoleum metal primer. I brushed the primer on each piece. I then finished with rustolem gray metal paint in gloss.
As I'm assembling, I've used 3 In 1 Oil, WD 40,m and Mobil One light weight engine oil. I was afraid that these oils would soften the paint. The paint has stood up without fail.
I used a fine Purdy sash brush and a 1/2 in wide China Brsitle professional grade artist brush to apply the paint. It took 3 coats to cover. I brushed each coat on in careful fashion, and paid careful attention to all edges.
I'll post some pics when assembled. Thanks for this positive forum, which gave me the idea and inspiration to take on this spare time project over the past 9 months...
Smedley
I'm restoring an old 9C. I took the entire machine apart. I cleaned each part with hot water, laundry soap,a tooth brush and soft bristle brass wire brush. I also used compressed air and pipe cleaners. I used an old thin knife and scribe as tools to clean the corners.
I took the bed to the car wash and used 4$ of quarters to clean every speck of grime and grease.
Then I used Rustoleum metal primer. I brushed the primer on each piece. I then finished with rustolem gray metal paint in gloss.
As I'm assembling, I've used 3 In 1 Oil, WD 40,m and Mobil One light weight engine oil. I was afraid that these oils would soften the paint. The paint has stood up without fail.
I used a fine Purdy sash brush and a 1/2 in wide China Brsitle professional grade artist brush to apply the paint. It took 3 coats to cover. I brushed each coat on in careful fashion, and paid careful attention to all edges.
I'll post some pics when assembled. Thanks for this positive forum, which gave me the idea and inspiration to take on this spare time project over the past 9 months...
Smedley