Thread: Advice on painting old machines - total newbie.

I notice you are writing about Black plaint but I think you mean Matt paint?

Paint finishes come in two basic types glossy or matt and variations in between the two an intermediate version sometimes being called Satin.

Enamels are hard wearing and fast drying.
Epoxies are also hard wearing but dry slowly.

Because its an Al casing you should probably use an etch primer of some sort.
Even the brush applied stuff dries quickly

If I were doing it and you think you might do other machines in the same colour I would go for a spray applied enamel, and make sure it is properly thinned out so it flows properly into all this gussets. Tins give you a lot more paint for your $$ than spray cans.

If you only intend to use the one colour for the same machine then spray cans might get you there.

Originally Posted by BobL

I notice you are writing about Black plaint but I think you mean Matt paint?

Originally Posted by bueller

Paint - Only real requirements is that it's black and preferably not a gloss finish

Pretty sure he means black

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Pretty sure he means black

On reading it again I agree. Black machinery - that's no good as it will show the dust.

OTOH it could remind you to turn on the dust extraction.

Now that I mention this it might be a good ides to install a dust extraction port in the lower cabinet before you paint it.
I'd cut a hole big enough to fit a 4" PVC floor drain fitting as it has a touch of a bell mouth about it and glue it in place from the inside. Once you apply paint it will look original.

Hi Bueller
Have you thought about powded coating ?

Melbourne Matty.

Thought about black being problematic with dust but it's just more incentive to keep things clean in my opinion. And I'm actually planning on installing dust extraction into this, there's a slot in the bottom of the case that I'm going to make a dust port for so hopefully that should cut down on dust outside the machine.

So at this point I'm looking at etching primer and enamel paint, will be painting this in stages out the back so drying time is going to be key if I want to lay down a decent number of thin coats. Unfortunately don't have a compressor so I'm going to be limited to spray cans if I'm blowing it on.

I had thought about powder coating but I have a feeling that will get pretty expensive, I've managed to keep the total cost at to $280 at this point so I'd rather not blow it out too much.

Hrmm my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to start looking for discussions on powder coating prices in Perth, I actually think it might be feasible price wise if I take into consideration the chances of me screwing it up the first time (pretty good chance hehe). Seems like there quite a few places in Perth so the prices are quite competitive, will send some pics and dimensions around and see what they come back with.

One thought on the powder coating. Some of these parts need to be masked off and only have a coating on certain portions, is that possible with powder coating?

Originally Posted by bueller

One thought on the powder coating. Some of these parts need to be masked off and only have a coating on certain portions, is that possible with powder coating?

Yes it is !
Masking tape is fine, the bakeing process will make the tape brittle but a sharp Stanley knife to remove makes it easy !
I will post some examples of machines I have done soon, just stuck at work for now ...

Melbourne Matty.

Eeeexcellent. Thank you sir!

Originally Posted by bueller

Eeeexcellent. Thank you sir!

Hi Bueller,
As promised, ask any questions you like !
I have always been impressed with the process as it is a stronger paint finish, no breathing in paint fumes, the advantages go on ....





























Melbourne Matty.

Cheers Matty! That jointer is beautiful, looks like a very solid piece of machinery

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The one thing I like about painting something yourself is that if it is for a working machine or rather one that gets used quite a bit and you scratch it or chip the paint ( and you will, it's only a matter of time ), then you can touch up the paint. A lot harder with powdercoating.

Stewie

Originally Posted by Stewie D

The one thing I like about painting something yourself is that if it is for a working machine or rather one that gets used quite a bit and you scratch it or chip the paint ( and you will, it's only a matter of time ), then you can touch up the paint. A lot harder with powdercoating.

Stewie

Yeah I've decided to just paint in the end, powder coating was going to cost almost as much as I've spent on the machine to this point so not really worth it.

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