Advice on finish (and application) for top plate (& xformer bells?)

[Downhome Upstate]

UPS delivered my still boxed-up Stereomour kit today  ;D, and I'd like to paint or otherwise apply a nice, lasting finish on the top plate before assembly. Any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks.

P.S. I haven't even opened the box yet, and so have no idea what the transformer bells look like. Are they a good candidate for this treatment too?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

I'd open the box and check the stock plate finish first to see if you like it.  Leaving the plate unpainted has some advantages, as the factory finish hides scratches nicely.

The transformer cover really must be painted, I would toss it in the next time you run your dishwasher, then sand it down with some coarse steel wool to be sure all the oil is off.  Beyond that, a clear coat of polyurethane or epoxy-based spray paint will provide a good lasting finish.

You can spray that same paint on the plate chokes if you like.

-PB

 

[Tickwomp]

If were to build anything new, I'd have the top plates powder coated!  If you can find the right shop, it's quick, durable, tons of finishes, and fairly reasonably priced!

 

[ODYOFAEL]

I used some leftover automotive paint. I had some Honda paint code mixed for retouching. Also used 2K Automotive clear coat. I painted the bell and OT with wrinkle paint. As for the wood base, just go to OSH or Home Depot and chose from the catalog.

 

[Downhome Upstate]

I used some leftover automotive paint. I had some Honda paint code mixed for retouching. Also used 2K Automotive clear coat. I painted the bell and OT with wrinkle paint. As for the wood base, just go to OSH or Home Depot and chose from the catalog.

Nice! The Darth Vader look . . .

 

[coca]

There are so many options. I have sanded and polished my top plates, then sprayed them with a clear, I have also sanded them and had them chromed, and some of them even copper plated. I have also had some of my trans. covers gold plated and copper plated.

Bernie.

 

[debk]

i usually spray the top plate and transformers bells with copper hammertone paint

Deb

 

[Reap]

I used some leftover automotive paint. I had some Honda paint code mixed for retouching. Also used 2K Automotive clear coat. I painted the bell and OT with wrinkle paint. As for the wood base, just go to OSH or Home Depot and chose from the catalog.

I like the dark look. Probably a great contrast to tubes lighting up too and probably settles in with it's surroundings as well.

 

[Chris]

That wrinkle paint is nice.. I like it also..

 

[Downhome Upstate]

I had another look at the steel brushwork Doc did on the top plate, and liked it so much I just shot the first coat of Rustoleum gloss clear.

When you paint the chokes, do you tape-off everything except the plain steel brackets?

 

[Downhome Upstate]

Damn! Has anyone besides me screwed up the paint job on the top plate?  Think I'm going to have to take the badly-applied finish down to the metal and tear up that nice wire brushwork.

 

[Doc B]

If you want to send the panel back I will rebrush it for you.

 

[Downhome Upstate]

If you want to send the panel back I will rebrush it for you.

Hey, Doc. Thanks for the offer. I'd like to fix this myself, though. Any suggestions on the right drill attachment to use, and on technique?

 

[Downhome Upstate]

I'm going to try paint stripper first.

 

[Downhome Upstate]

The 'Orange' eco paint stripper spray I got at Home Depot worked pretty well. I was able to gently brush the stripper and lacquer residue off the top plate and then clean it with odorless mineral spirits, all without destroying Doc's wire brushwork. I'd give the result about a 9 out of 10.  8)

My Orcas are due on Christmas Eve; time to get building. Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

[4krow]

Man, finishing is a touchy thing, isn't it? You gotta catch the eye before the ear will listen sometimes. I have been doing my own finishing until lately, when I discovered that the guy who refinished my bathtub also does other work. First off, I like his superior equipment compared to mine, but I still have to watch/look at the finished product carefully. One drip, and whats the point? Now, I haven't tried plating in any of my projects, but I think that it would be great to have some copper plating done here and there. For now, just paint.