Hamerite or not?

[JohnMParticipant @johnm51917]

I'm starting to paint an ML4 and I'm thinking Hamerite Blue. Then I'm thinking should I paint it in Myford colours? Hamerite may not be suitable. I'm even thinking of buying a compressor and doing it properly.

Has anyone any advice or experience before I commit? Thanks in advance.

[JohnMParticipant @johnm51917]

Paint options

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

I am all in favour of keeping the original colour for machine tools, but others will totally disagree, I am sure! Hammerite isn't what it was and the new formulation isn't as good as the old. I don't think it is as "rust proof" as the original formulation and some colours give a terrible finish when brushed. Avoid the smooth white , like the plague!

Andrew.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

I prefer a smooth finish to the hammered finish on machines but of course I am unlikely to see your lathe and it is your preference, a much modified ML4 featured on this forum some time ago and looked very smart in a smooth dark blue. There is plenty of choice of machinery paints so whatever you fancy is up to you. If you may want to sell it then going radical may put some people off but most ML4s have been repainted by now and as long as the machine is sound I am sure a buyer would repaint to their taste. Paragon paints have a selection of suitable paints and Tractol is a well regarded machinery paint.

Mike

[JohnMParticipant @johnm51917]

[JohnMParticipant @johnm51917]

A little tester from yesterday. It's not too late to go anotherroute right now. I'm just worried the Hamerite may not be up to the job.

[IanTParticipant @iant]

There was a time when I used to cover everything that moved (and some things that didn't) in my Shed with green Hammertite.

However, I found it far from ideal, partly because I was probably a bit idle in surface prep but also because it was also a real pain to remove and seemed to 'chip' quite easily (which are hard to touch up invisibly). You also need to be careful with timings between coats and need special brush cleaners etc. As commented above, I'm also not convinced it's as good as it used to be…but that is true of many things (like paint removers and Nitromors) but it may be that I'm just an old frat and much harder to please these days…

Anyway, now I try to prep the surface a good as possible (at least within reason – as much as my patience and energy will allow), use a suitable primer and always, always apply a good quality "Engine Enamel". These tend to be easier to brush-coat with, although this does tend to improve with practice. They are also oil and solvent resistant and with patience, will give a very good finish when required. There are several UK companies that still sell good quality engine enamels and at least one of them sells paint colour-coded by machinery manufacturer – including Myford, Boxford, Centec etc.

So John – Repent Now – before it's Too Late!

Regards,

IanT

[JohnMParticipant @johnm51917]

Repenting

Thank you Ian. My surface prep could be seen to be over the top and three years as a contract decorator will ensure it's a nice finish. Think I am in the market for a cheap Compressor and spray gun after all. If a jobs worth doing eh?

Thanks for the replies. Very much appreciated. Updated my ML4? album with the thread on the head stock so possible identification soon. Just need to work out how to get the head stock stripped. Can't work out if I just need to hit it hard or find a screw in something somewhere

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I was never a big fan of Hammerite, as others have said it chipped very easily as it aged, but at least it dried quickly. The modern stuff doesn't even dry quickly, so you might as well use 'proper' paint. I got some 'metal paint' from Aldi a bit back which seems pretty good, but of course it doesn't come in Myford Grey

[JohnMParticipant @johnm51917]

I painted this stuff last night. Still not dry. Easier to remove though I guess.

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

I've used the new formula smooth black hammerite and although it dried slowly I felt the finish and durabilty was quite good.

I you want durable.. I once had a floor done with basecoat, paint flakes, several layers of clear epoxy and two top coats of UV protectant epoxy – but anything can get scratched in time..

[JohnMParticipant @johnm51917]

I saw a thread somewhere and one used car polish on the finished article, that may work later, another put some parts into the oven and then carefully coated it all in wax. Not sure the missus would approve even if I could get the Lathe in there though I'm putting off actually using a Lathe by refurbishing them. I am going to dive in as soon as this one is re-built, honestly I am.

Think I will go the compressor and spray paint route, sneaking in more machinery under the radar. Sounds like a plan. Just need a colour match now. This Lathe was Blue, Green with Red gears previously.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I painted my lathe (not Myford) with Hamerite. Looked good at first but found that it wears off easily. Next time I will us a 2-pack automotive paint which is much tougher.

Paul.e

[JohnMParticipant @johnm51917]

Looking at the Automotive paint. Thanks Paul, seems like a very good option.

[BETTY HUNTParticipant @bettyhunt63677]

Paragon paints are quite well and suitable for machinery.

[Author]

Posts