Getting back down to the original paint

[West Peterson]

Is there any economical way of getting back down to the original paint. We have a Brush that was "restored" quite a while ago. They painted over the original paint (not sure if it was enamel or lacquer, yet). In an effort to restore its original paint, I was wondering what could be done.

Also, still looking for someone that can weld the axle. [img]<>/wink.gif[/img]

[imported_Barry Wolk]

West,

Contact Joe at National Tool & Die Welding in Livonia, Michigan. They are a government certified welder that welds the base of 30-foot light towers for me. I can vouch for their work.

[Steve_Mack_CT]

West, Re getting down to the original paint, there was a feature within the last couple years in either the Restorer or the Model A news about a very nice original A pick-up that had been painted with a brush at some point. The current owner has been wet sanding and I think compounding the top layer off and is getting to the original coat of paint. As you can imagine this is a significant amount of work, and if I remember right, he is taking hours to days on each panel, I think it was moving along, but not totally done at the time the article was written. Looked good in the pictures, though. Again based on memory but I think he happens to be a skilled bodyman which probably helps.

That said I assume housepaint of some sort was used on the A, vs. automotive finish on your Brush car. I think a lot of your success will depend on the paint that is on the vehicle, West, and how it was applied, etc. Getting there may be half the fun if you have the time, but you mentioned "economical" - not sure what that means in terms of the time you can put into this. If you really want to pursue let me know, I will dig up the article and the guy's name, you could contact him for more detail on the technique but it is interesting that he has been able to do this.

[Steve Braverman]

Originally Posted By: West Peterson

Also, still looking for someone that can weld the axle. [img]<>/wink.gif[/img]

Let me know when you find someone to weld that axle. I have a Franklin that needs its frame rails welded. [img]<>/crazy.gif[/img]

[West Peterson]

It sounds like way more work than anyone I know has time for. Especially not knowing the condition the original paint. I was thinking sanding might be the only way to get to it.

[West Peterson]

Originally Posted By: Barry Wolk

Contact Joe at National Tool & Die Welding in Livonia, Michigan. They are a government certified welder that welds the base of 30-foot light towers for me. I can vouch for their work.

We need to find an expert arbores welder.

[Oxnard Montalvo]

I agree. The car was repainted for a reason, that reason might not show up until you've done a large percentage of what would be tedious work, and it could be a "fatal" flaw. Life's too short.

[Mike Cullen]

That looks like a tough one Steve, those Ash rods and the correct flux are hard to find!

[R W Burgess]

Explain this to me West, never heard of it! [img]<>/crazy.gif[/img]

W.

[Steve Braverman]

Originally Posted By: R W Burgess

Explain this to me West, never heard of it! [img]<>/crazy.gif[/img]

W.

Wayne, the Brush's axle and the Franklin's frame are both made of dead trees.

[R W Burgess]

Thanks Steve. I'm going to have to introduce the "smilie factor" of this forum to West, so I won't look so ignorant in the future. [img]<>/frown.gif[/img] [img]<>/whistle.gif[/img]

Wayne

[1937hd45]

Originally Posted By: West Peterson

Also, still looking for someone that can weld the axle. [img]<>/wink.gif[/img]

I wooden do that if I were you. I've had good luck with a single edge razon in a Red Devil handle scraping paint down to priver or the original paint. Touch the corners on a stone so the chance of digging in is lessened. The top coats in most cases don't really bond to the original finish and you can sprape off large sections once you develope a feel for it. Practice on some modern junk first.

[West Peterson]

Originally Posted By: R W Burgess

I'm going to have to introduce the "smilie factor" of this forum to West, so I won't look so ignorant in the future. [img]<>/frown.gif[/img] [img]<>/whistle.gif[/img]
Wayne

My wink wasn't good enough for you, Wayne? [img]<>/wink.gif[/img] [img]<>/wink.gif[/img] [img]<>/wink.gif[/img]

[R W Burgess]

Quote:

Originally Posted By: Barry WolkContact Joe at National Tool & Die Welding in Livonia, Michigan. They are a government certified welder that welds the base of 30-foot light towers for me. I can vouch for their work.
We need to find an expert arbores welder. _________________________
Never avoid the chance to skirt the issue!

Now, West, you and I both know there's no [img]<>/wink.gif[/img] anywhere in the text above. [img]<>/confused.gif[/img] [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

Wayne

[West Peterson]

Originally Posted By: West Peterson

Also, still looking for someone that can weld the axle. [img]<>/wink.gif[/img]

Gotta go back to the beginning, Wayne.

[imported_Barry Wolk]

Now West, If you make fun of us, no one will want to communicate with you.

[R W Burgess]

You tell him Barry. I now see that he got you too.
Those big town "city slickers"! [img]<>/cool.gif[/img] [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

Wayne

[imported_Barry Wolk]

Just because West's an auto trivia snob doesn't mean we can't catch him in some detail mistake. We're watching you West.

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Hmm, I now wonder about the whole post. The "A" story is true, and the article backing that up is in one of the recent national magazines, so I did not initially question this but I now wonder if I just "walked right into it".....

[31Ford]

There was another story back in 1990 or '91 where a guy had a Model A Standard Roadster.
The car only had 8,000 odd miles but it was repainted in the early 30s by the Ford Dealer. This guy sanded the entire car down to reveal the original Andalusite Blue paint.

He did say the second color was softer than the original paint and that helped alot.

[West Peterson]

Okay, bad joke gone awry. My boss told me not to do this anymore. The Brush belongs to two of my brothers, but the axle is not broken.
I believe, from the looks of Steve Braverman's photo, that the Franklin's chassis REALLY IS broken.
There. I'm clean.

[Terry Bond]

So how about some pics of the Brush? I'd try using some 4-0 steel wool and a little denatured alcohol to start with. Rub a little, wipe a little and see if you can slowly cut through each layer of paint like that. Go slowly and gently and it might work. The alcohol will work well with a spirit based paint like what was brushed on the car. Dont allow it to sit long enough to soak in. The original paint may have been varnished over and the alcohol might get into that if you let it sit too long.

Terry

[D Binger]

West,

Is this axle that is broken on your Brush the front one by any chance? [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

[West Peterson]

Here it is, the first photo. Just finishing up putting the engine back together. Didn't quite make it for the New London/New Brighton Antique Car Run that was held last week, but my father's two cars made it: his 1905 REO and his 1911 leZebra.