Thread: Removing Black Japan

Originally Posted by woodcutta

I have been reading a lot of posts about plane restoration and gettin lots of great ideas. As these will be 'users' I am happy to paint them with the satin black epoxy that others have used, however I havent found in any of the posts how to remove the old Black Japan.

So the question is what gets it off?

thanks
woodcutta

Hi Woodcutta

If you have an English plane or a newer US plane, then the paint can be removed by electrolysis or paint stripper. If it is an older US plane with the authentic asphalt Japanning, try soaking it in white spirits, gum turpentine, dry cleaning fluid or a special asphalt remover such as:
http://www.actech.com.au/cleaners.htm#03

Cheers
Michael

Thanks Mic

woodcutta

Hi woodcutter
Why not restore the old japan ?
you get an old 78 record smash it with a hammer into 1 inch pieces put it in a glass jar add metho till it covers the record pieces and a bit more leave it for a few weeks (shaking the jar every day) and the ashphelt leaches out of the record pieces
then with a paint brush coat your plane bodie once every 24 hours after 3 coats your plane comes up like new.
it worked a treat on a carter 6 i restored
greg

Originally Posted by Farm boy

you get an old 78 record smash it with a hammer into 1 inch pieces put it in a glass jar add metho till it covers the record pieces and a bit more leave it for a few weeks

Hi Farm boy,
Okay, so I smashed my Record No.78 with a hammer (like you said) and put it is a jar with meths. The cast iron bits of the Record have disolved okay but the blade is still solid. How many more weeks 'til the blade dissolves?

And what should I use for planing rebates while I wait?

Cheers, Vann

Originally Posted by Vann

Hi Farm boy,
Okay, so I smashed my Record No.78 with a hammer (like you said) and put it is a jar with meths. The cast iron bits of the Record have disolved okay but the blade is still solid. How many more weeks 'til the blade dissolves?

And what should I use for planing rebates while I wait?

Cheers, Vann

jeez Vann if I'd known you were going to use the depth stop for this I could've posted it to you in a 100ml bottle ... it would been a better solution all round!

sarcasm is the lowest form of wit
sorry vann i should have proof read the reply first,definatly remove the blade before plunging the 78 record in the metho
greg

Originally Posted by Farm boy

Hi woodcutter
Why not restore the old japan ?
you get an old 78 record smash it with a hammer into 1 inch pieces put it in a glass jar add metho till it covers the record pieces and a bit more leave it for a few weeks (shaking the jar every day) and the ashphelt leaches out of the record pieces
then with a paint brush coat your plane bodie once every 24 hours after 3 coats your plane comes up like new.
it worked a treat on a carter 6 i restored
greg

Ha ha Had to chuckle when you said 78 Record I was thinking Record plane smash it up into little pieces and soak it then I clicked oh a 78 Record as in vinyl lol

Originally Posted by kiwioutdoors

Ha ha Had to chuckle when you said 78 Record I was thinking Record plane smash it up into little pieces and soak it then I clicked oh a 78 Record as in vinyl lol

Jeeze I'm slow, I didn't realise you meant a record either But they are made of shellac not asphalt, which is why it dissolves in alcohol.

Cheers
Michael

An excellent substitute for genuine Japanning is white lac and carbon black.You are able to vary the degree of "blackness" by adjusting the amount of carbon black in the solution.
I use this method on my "collector" planes etc.

being a bit of a Lac fan , I'd recommend button lac as it is more flexible and scratch resistant than the others IMHO and would add a 3-7% gum sandarac as this will toughen the lac and adds a bit of 'body' to the lac.
Also use artists grade pigments as they are ground much finer than cement pigments and have no impurities, carbon black or lamp black being the blackest and finest.
Ian

Thanks for all the feedback. As these will be users I will be happy with the painted finish - even as far as black on the No 8 Record.

However I will be in Newcastle later in the week so will call into Eckersleys and see if they have some asphaltum before making a final decision

woodcutta