Adding cladding for a large boilered Tich … is it worth the effort?

[Mike PalingParticipant @mikepaling69128]

[Mike PalingParticipant @mikepaling69128]

Hi … after many interuptions over the years I am again slowly making some progress with my large boilered Tich which I first started many moons ago.

A question … has anybody tried adding cladding to the large boiler on Tich? Is it worth the effort???

Looking at the "Tich book" cladding is never mentioned so it looks like the original idea was to simply paint the actual boiler but add some imitation brass bands which don't actually do anything useful. If you do it this way does the paint simply degrade and peel because of the heat of the boiler???

Mike

[Robin KingParticipant @robinking15611]

I've looked at this for my small boilered Tich which I acquired many years ago, and which has never been painted. As it's currently stripped down for overhaul I've been looking at the possibility of cladding the boiler with thin steel sheet from a sign which already has a good painted surface (ex tyre sales sign) so should hopefully be a good base for a paint finish. The disadvantage is that the increase in o/a diameter of boiler + cladding requires adjustment of the dome base to seat properly. I doubt that any worthwhile gain can made by including insulation.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Hi Mike, Unless there is some good reason to NOT clad a boiler,it would be a good plan. The amount of heat you will loose may well compromise the steaming and you will soon loose the head of steam when standing unless the fire is constantly attended to. Normal paint won't last long ! Hi temp paint is pricey. No I know nothing about "tich" but any boiler should be clad !

Best wishes Noel

[Simon CollierParticipant @simoncollier74340]

If there is room for cladding, I would add it. It will look better even if it just finishes at the cab. But with the fat boiler, I bet the tanks are hard up against it. Proud firebox stay heads must be accommodated too. Use something like 0.4 mm brass. If no room, paint the copper as intended. If done properly the paint will be OK. Use high temperature paint if you are worried. And less work if you are struggling with progress.

I was driving a friend's standard Tich just last Sunday. Great fun.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Automotive stores sell high temperature paint in spray cans which is not expensive.

Only available in black (possibly white), a bit like the colours available in Henry Ford's model T cars when they were first introduced. The label on the can says that it resists heat up to 650 deg C and suitable for painting exhaust manifolds and mufflers. I used it to paint the steam chest and chimney on my traction engine.

Paul.

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