Stuart Castings – Issues

[HafornParticipant @haforn]

Guys, sorry if this sounds like a daft question, or if it's in the wrong thread

I've just bought a set of castings for a Stuart S50. Back in the day (40 years ago) I bought castings for a Stuart Beam. The old castings were beautiful, crisp, smooth, and needed barely any cleaning up. The new ones are ropey, to say the least. No inclusions or blow holes, but the surface quality is dire. Even the word "Stuart" around the crank on the base casting is barely legible.

I gather that the casting technique has changed over the years; Stuart say the casting I've got is 'standard'. I've managed to file away most of the roughness but the sides of the base casting are proving difficult to get smooth.

My plan was to use acid etch primer on the cast iron base casting prior to painting. I'm now thinking of smoothing the sides with something like JB weld beforehand.

My questions are – does anybody have any recommendations for a smoothing filler? Is JB Weld a bad idea?

Also, if I do use JB Weld, will the acid etch primer destroy it?

Thanks

Steve

[HafornParticipant @haforn]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

JB Weld is a good adhesive but a pig to rub down, you would be better off with an easy sanding car body filler such as one of U-pol's offerings or good old P38.

Rather than etch primer use a high build filler primer such as U-pol's "High-5"as that will fill the small imperfections that the epoxy filler can't, rub that down then prime with whatever colour primer suits your topcoat before applying that.

Have a look at these old post of mine where I show the stages I go through. here and here

[HafornParticipant @haforn]

Thanks Jason, and thanks for the pics. Ordered some U-pol stuff this am on Amazon, I'll give it a whirl

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

Steve,

I have sent you a PM (

look for the flashing INBOX tab towards the left of the green band at the top of the this page.)

Eric

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