Match for current SS gray paint?

[steverboss]

I need to repaint my headstock. I’ve already repainted my entire SS Mk 510 several years ago using SS brand spray paint. I just need to know if anyone has matched, or closely matched the current SS gray with another good spray paint color, like maybe in Rustoleum?

[chapmanruss]

I use Rust-Oleum Charcoal Gray paint with a Matte Finish Clear Coat for my Model 10 restorations. It is a slightly lighter gray than the Shopsmith gray touch up paint. For my gray Mark series tools, I have only used the Shopsmith gray touch up paint in both the pre and post 10-01-2001 formulas. I have both pre and post 10-01-2001 Marks. Besides being slightly lighter the Rust-Oleum paint combination has a bit of a different finished look than the Shopsmith gray touch up paint. I haven't tried it but maybe Rust-Oleum Charcoal Gray paint with a Satin Finish Clear Coat would look closer in its finish to the Shopsmith gray touch up paint but would still be slightly lighter. If you are looking to save money on paint the Rust-Oleum Charcoal Gray paint with a Satin or Matte Finish Clear Coat would be cheaper than the Shopsmith gray touch up paint even though you need two different cans of Rust-Oleum. If I were to use the Rust-Oleum Charcoal Gray paint with a Satin or Matte Finish Clear Coat, I would paint the entire tool to match.

[RFGuy]

My initial thought when I read this was why not just order the touch-up paint or the appropriate color paint for your vintage Shopsmith, but then I looked at the website. A 12 oz can is now $17.89 from the mothership. Ouch. Has it always been this price or did it go up recently? Paying $26.38 to get one can of spray paint shipped is quite painful.

[chapmanruss]

Yes RFGuy, Ouch.

The price has gone up since I last bought the Shopsmith gray touch up paint a few years ago. Even then it was about two and a half to three times more than a can of Rust-Oleum.

[steverboss]

Well, for those interested, I tried the Rustoleum charcoal gray gloss enamel and the color appears to be a perfect match to my eyes. Of course it is gloss, so as mentioned above, I then sprayed over it with Rustoleum matte finish and voila! Right on! Thank you for that tip!

[chapmanruss]

Glad to hear the color and clear coat worked for you. I'll have to compare some more Model 10 painted items to the Mark series tools again. I just painted some Model 10E parts yesterday so I can compare a freshly painted part to the Marks. More Model 10E parts to paint still and hoping to get serial numbers 1033 and 1076 finished by their 75th anniversary in November.

[steverboss]

I found a very, very close match to Shopsmith gray spray paint, and it has a satin finish. Shopsmith brand gray spray paint is so expensive especially with shipping costs. It’s Rustoleum Painters Touch 2X Ultra Cover Paint+Primer Satin Charcoal Gray. Not 100% exactly the same, but so close that unless the 2 are put side by side you or can’t tell the difference. And it’s only $8.69 including shipping on Amazon.

[db5]

I repainted the legs on a 510 about 10 years ago using Rustoleum Primer. That's right PRIMER. It matched the rest of the SS

[steverboss]

Was there a specific color for that primer? Like dark gray primer, or charcoal gray primer, etc. or do you remember?