Repainting Finger Wheels - WE 302 - Details Please

[winkydink]

I know that repainting is a topic that has been discussed on the forum on a number of different threads.  I would like to get the information consolidated in one location if possible on the particular topic of

REPAINTING Western Electric 302 finger wheels.

I do not have specialized tools or a compressed air spray gun.  I am looking to do this with spray paint and baking.

I have a toaster oven for baking. 
I have Rustoleum gloss and semi gloss enamal spray paint
I have Rustoleum primer
I have sand paper
I can get if neccessary, paint remover.

Can someone go through their technique step by step regarding the restoration of a finger wheel.

Do I sand the finger wheel
Do I use paint remover
Do I prime
Do I use alchohol to clean
How many coats of primer (do I sand primer)
How many coats of paint (do I sand in between)
When do I bake in the process.  How long and at what tempature
Can I lay the finger wheel on aluminum foil in the toaster oven
do I paint only the "up" side or both sides

etc, etc

all techniques and information will be appreciated.

[bigdaddylove]

Personally, I wouldn't go through all that trouble for a just one finger wheel. I'd probably just look around for one or ask if anyone had one for sale via the Classified forum.

As I said, that;s just me -- I'm kind of lazy.

[JimH]

I've had great success with rustoleum epoxy enamel appliance paint in black.  It dries like porcelain and very shiny.  Takes days to dry, but it's the best paint I've used yet.

[winkydink]

Personally, I wouldn't go through all that trouble for a just one finger wheel. I'd probably just look around for one or ask if anyone had one for sale via the Classified forum.

As I said, that;s just me -- I'm kind of lazy.

biddaddylove,

If it were one phone and it was just for my collection, I would agree with you.  However, I am in the process of refurbushing 6 or 7 phones for Christmas gifts.  A couple of them have some scratches on the finger wheel.  Since the dial is highly visible, I want it to look as nice as possible, thus the question.

Thanks for all the responses.

[bigdaddylove]

Wow, you're a cool Santa!

[cihensley@aol.com]

winkydink:

I recommend a Preval sprayer over cans of spray paint. No matter how good you shake them, I have found spray cans have a propensity to spray little globs of paint which mars the finished product. With a Preval you can mix the paint to the consistency you want. If the paint you use says it can be thinned by paint thinner or mineral spirits, I would use naptha. Paint with naptha has a better flash point.

Chuck

[winkydink]

winkydink:

I recommend a Preval sprayer over cans of spray paint. No matter how good you shake them, I have found spray cans have a propensity to spray little globs of paint which mars the finished product. With a Preval you can mix the paint to the consistency you want. If the paint you use says it can be thinned by paint thinner or mineral spirits, I would use naptha. Paint with naptha has a better flash point.

Chuck

Chuck,

I have looked into the Preval sprayer and it looks quite nice, as well as inexpensive.

What kind of paint (e.g. xyz brand, gloss/semi gloss, enamal) would you suggest that I use.

I don't have alot of money to invest in this, but it seems like $10.00 for the setup is worth the risk.

My other question, would be cleanup.  What do I use to clean the reseviour, how do you dispose of the cleaning agent ?  Sorry for such basic questions but I am used to using water based paints.


Also, still waiting for some tried and true proceedures.  I will scour past posts and re-post to summarize others findings, but if you would like to contribute your success stories please do !

[cihensley@aol.com]

winkydink:

I use Rust-oleum gloss black, because I have used it many times and am use to how it applies. Any good enamel paint for metal should be as good, maybe even better, than Rust-oleum. Any enamel should clean-up with paint thinner.

Chuck