Removing Paint
Moderators: HopefulSSer, admin
Removing Paint
I'm not sure exactly what kind of paint that SS used in the early 60's (gold), but it is some outstanding stuff. I'm doing some repairs to a jointer, and having a heck of a time getting it cleaned off.
I've tried commercial paint stripper, which crinkled it a little bit in a few spots, but didn't actually remove it.
Sandblasting works, but it takes forever. Even after the stripper, it takes about 2 minutes to get a dime size spot down to bare cast iron. I did some other tools and car parts at the same time, so I know the nozzle was working. I didn't have any problems with those.
How do I remove this stuff?
I've tried commercial paint stripper, which crinkled it a little bit in a few spots, but didn't actually remove it.
Sandblasting works, but it takes forever. Even after the stripper, it takes about 2 minutes to get a dime size spot down to bare cast iron. I did some other tools and car parts at the same time, so I know the nozzle was working. I didn't have any problems with those.
How do I remove this stuff?
- dusty
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 21359
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
Removing Paint
Can you accomplish a good weld without removing the paint?
It sounds like the original finish is a base you don't want to lose.
It sounds like the original finish is a base you don't want to lose.
- dusty
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 21359
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
Removing Paint
I guess that's the price of doing it right.
I'll bet the pre-heating in the oven might remove a lot of the finish. After that, smooth it all out with a Sand-o-flex (google it).
Andy
andy@manvell.org
andy@manvell.org
Removing Paint
You stated that when sand blasting, about getting down to the cast iron. The few 60s Shopsmith I have worked on are all sheet metal and aluminium castings. Where is the crack in the Shopsmith. If it is a headstock, I would recommend buying another headstock from either jacobvb or ruggs59 on Ebay. I have brought from each seller. Yes, I had to have a couple of ears welded that holds the eccentric bushing. I was lucky to have a friend who is a aircraft welder that welds aluminium to do the job for $25.00 on each headstock.
I use a big 8" industrial 1 HP grinder that I put a 8" steel wire brush on the long shaft and a brass wire brush on the short end. The steel wire brush will actually remove paint plus aluminium if held too long in a spot. I use the brass one to remove corrosion and polish the aluminium surfaces. It takes about a hour to do a headstock including using a 1/2" wire brush, used for cleaning around values pockets in a engine head, to clean the little pockets of paint that the 8" did not get. A 6" wire brush took too long for me and not enought power. A 6" may work for you if you have the time and patience.
Bill Mayo
I use a big 8" industrial 1 HP grinder that I put a 8" steel wire brush on the long shaft and a brass wire brush on the short end. The steel wire brush will actually remove paint plus aluminium if held too long in a spot. I use the brass one to remove corrosion and polish the aluminium surfaces. It takes about a hour to do a headstock including using a 1/2" wire brush, used for cleaning around values pockets in a engine head, to clean the little pockets of paint that the 8" did not get. A 6" wire brush took too long for me and not enought power. A 6" may work for you if you have the time and patience.
Bill Mayo
nimrod wrote:I'm not sure exactly what kind of paint that SS used in the early 60's (gold), but it is some outstanding stuff. I'm doing some repairs to a jointer, and having a heck of a time getting it cleaned off.
I've tried commercial paint stripper, which crinkled it a little bit in a few spots, but didn't actually remove it.
Sandblasting works, but it takes forever. Even after the stripper, it takes about 2 minutes to get a dime size spot down to bare cast iron. I did some other tools and car parts at the same time, so I know the nozzle was working. I didn't have any problems with those.
How do I remove this stuff?