Just had this guy powder coated. This is a three layer coating that starts with a chrome base, semi transparent purple tint and a thick clear coat.
What are your thoughts? I also had another one done in a green chromium. Will post once I take some pictures!
-MM
Pretty Cool! I am assuming they are metal body 302's?
Absolutely stunning... purple and black, perfect for halloween. now the question is.... would a witch or a warlock have this in their home?
Quote from: HarrySmith on February 14, 2020, 02:36:46 PM
Pretty Cool! I am assuming they are metal body 302's?
Yes, this was a metal pre war model.
-MM
Quote from: Babybearjs on February 14, 2020, 02:43:48 PM
Absolutely stunning... purple and black, perfect for halloween. now the question is.... would a witch or a warlock have this in their home?
This screams a witch to me.
-MM
Very nice Matt, Job well done!
Quote from: mazda_matt on February 14, 2020, 02:06:05 PM
...What are your thoughts?...
-MM
Beautiful depth of colour, with a nice richness to it.
Nicely photographed too.
Quote from: FABphones on February 14, 2020, 03:09:26 PM
Beautiful depth of colour, with a nice richness to it.
Nicely photographed too.
Its certainly something you need to see in person to fully appreciate it.
-MM
Here is a sneak peek of the candy teal one. My painter told me its similar to 1950's Chevy Teal
I'm sure the purists won't be happy, but I LOVE it!
Quote from: mazda_matt on February 14, 2020, 03:50:44 PM
Thanks Duffy!
I may have to bring one of my spare metal 302's in and have your painter fix me one up for me. :)
Mazda Matt...great colors, any reason you don't paint the handsets to match? These would look great with matching handsets and a 5J or 6D on them....Doug
I like the look with black trim.
I have heard there were some chromed 302 retirement sets that had matching handsets. I have never had the chance to see one in person.
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I think it adds {at least} 2 steps to Matt's starting process to plate the handsets.
ISTR reading that you start with metallic paint, electroplate over it with {copperand then} brass, and then electroplate the brass with chrome to create your chrome base .
Once you have the chrome then you go with the transparent tint, then the clear coat.
You could always add another step after the tint coat and air brush any design you wanted (pinstripes, flames ect) onto the phone and then clear coat.
These are cool creations.
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There are other nice metal phones that people plate. You could create a really cool collection of tinted chrome sets.
I feel that stripping/polishing/plating/tinting of these old metal sets is not lamp-making, These actions come under artistic license. There are lots of these old sets that are in poor condition, Might as well make them custom and maybe get someone else interested in old telephones.
JMO,
Jim
{denotes edit to add the copper step, please correct me if I am wrong}
>additional edit: if you use a metallic copper paint can you skip the copperplate step?<
Those look real sharp! Nice work.
Oh, the Teal is nice! first the purple, now teal.... what new colors are you guys coming up with?? I love both of them!
Quote from: Jim Stettler on February 14, 2020, 07:50:59 PM
I like the look with black trim.
I have heard there were some chromed 302 retirement sets that had matching handsets. I have never had the chance to see one in person.
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I think it adds {at least} 2 steps to Matt's starting process to plate the handsets.
ISTR reading that you start with metallic paint, electroplate over it with {copperand then} brass, and then electroplate the brass with chrome to create your chrome base .
Once you have the chrome then you go with the transparent tint, then the clear coat.
You could always add another step after the tint coat and air brush any design you wanted (pinstripes, flames ect) onto the phone and then clear coat.
These are cool creations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are other nice metal phones that people plate. You could create a really cool collection of tinted chrome sets.
I feel that stripping/polishing/plating/tinting of these old metal sets is not lamp-making, These actions come under artistic license. There are lots of these old sets that are in poor condition, Might as well make them custom and maybe get someone else interested in old telephones.
JMO,
Jim
{denotes edit to add the copper step, please correct me if I am wrong}
>additional edit: if you use a metallic copper paint can you skip the copperplate step?<
The above quote has been edited. This post is just to advise. If anyone has played around with the plating kits wants to comment please do so,
https://www.caswellplating.com/ caswell plating comes to mind.
Thanks,
Jim
Quote from: Jim Stettler on February 14, 2020, 11:23:53 PM
The above quote has been edited. This post is just to advise. If anyone has played around with the plating kits wants to comment please do so,
https://www.caswellplating.com/ caswell plating comes to mind.
Thanks,
Jim
Hey Jim,
No plating was involved in painting this phone. The chrome, tint and clear coat are all powder coated on. This process is quite rare as its very labour intensive since every bump, nick or divot either needs to be sanded & filled or it will show through.
Thanks,
-MM
Quote from: Doug Rose on February 14, 2020, 06:57:22 PM
Mazda Matt...great colors, any reason you don't paint the handsets to match? These would look great with matching handsets and a 5J or 6D on them....Doug
Hey Doug,
Would love to paint the handsets as well, but Bakelite melts in the high temp ovens used for powder coating, we're tried! LOL
I tried it with a clear fingerwheel, but it contrasted with the black handset and IMO didn't look as good.
Thanks,
-MM
Quote from: Babybearjs on February 14, 2020, 10:38:21 PM
Oh, the Teal is nice! first the purple, now teal.... what new colors are you guys coming up with?? I love both of them!
This opens up the doors to a whole slew of different colours we can do. I have three or four other colours and textures I tried on this most recent run. Will post soon!
-MM
I've watched a YouTube video where a guy restores old metal toys. He started getting in to a chrome powder coat. When it's done it looks pretty sharp, and clear coating would only enhance the finish.
So they must now have that same process in colors, so on metal anything the finish would really be cool.
Quote from: mazda_matt on February 15, 2020, 11:56:15 AM
Hey Jim,
No plating was involved in painting this phone. The chrome, tint and clear coat are all powder coated on. This process is quite rare as its very labour intensive since every bump, nick or divot either needs to be sanded & filled or it will show through.
Thanks,
-MM
I had no idea they could do that with powder coating. It is an amazing look.
eBay auction
(Edit to add links)ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Original-Western-Electric-302-Purple-Chromium-Rotary-Dial-Telephone/124083567369
Tiny URL https://tinyurl.com/wsnh68s
Quote from: mazda_matt on February 14, 2020, 04:03:31 PM
Here is a sneak peek of the candy teal one...
That's also a really nice colour.
Hope the auction/s go well for you.
:)
Quote from: Jim Stettler on February 15, 2020, 01:33:17 PM
I had no idea they could do that with powder coating. It is an amazing look.
Same here. My painter is local and specializes in restoring vintage cars. Which is why he is able to try out new finishes. Most powder coaters typically just deal with black.
-MM
Reminds me of Cobalt Blue Glass.
Both phones are beautiful.
D/P
In addition, something no one mentioned.
HOW DID YOU GET THAT HANDSET TO LOOK LIKE THAT ?
D/P
Quote from: Jim Stettler on February 14, 2020, 11:23:53 PM
The above quote has been edited. This post is just to advise. If anyone has played around with the plating kits wants to comment please do so,
https://www.caswellplating.com/ caswell plating comes to mind.
Thanks,
Jim
I have used Caswell plating kits in several plating metals. Chrome, Copy Chrome, Nickel, Copper. The kits work great, HOWEVER plating results are only as good as the surface preparation of the metal being plated. If you want a Chrome like mirror finish, the aluminum will need to be perfectly smooth. Every flaw in the aluminum will show up in the chrome.
D/P
Quote from: Dan/Panther on February 17, 2020, 12:40:01 PM
In addition, something no one mentioned.
HOW DID YOU GET THAT HANDSET TO LOOK LIKE THAT ?
D/P
Haha, the handset is one of the nicest buffed ones I have come across. Hence why I keep it for pictures sake. Took a lot of sanding and buffing to get it to look like that.
-MM
Quote from: Dan/Panther on February 17, 2020, 12:45:54 PM
I have used Caswell plating kits in several plating metals. Chrome, Copy Chrome, Nickel, Copper. The kits work great, HOWEVER plating results are only as good as the surface preparation of the metal being plated. If you want a Chrome like mirror finish, the aluminum will need to be perfectly smooth. Every flaw in the aluminum will show up in the chrome.
D/P
I need to get one of these kits for doing small parts like bells and terminals for wood wall phones.
-MM
Quote from: mazda_matt on February 18, 2020, 11:10:39 AM
I need to get one of these kits for doing small parts like bells and terminals for wood wall phones.
-MM
Collector Steven Brink plated a WE #10 with one of these kits (long ago). I saw it in person. It came out great. There is an article in one of the club newsletters about it.
It did takes lots of prep work to get a nice finish.
Many of the plating kits are listed as gun plating kits.
Jim
Quote from: mazda_matt on February 18, 2020, 11:10:39 AM
I need to get one of these kits for doing small parts like bells and terminals for wood wall phones.
-MM
I use the kits for small parts, and I also restore vintage toy trains. It works great for items like those.
OK MATT, it's time to post a detailed procedure for sanding and polishing the Bakelite handsets. I have had limited success with Bakelite radio cases, maybe a few pointers would fill the gaps.
D/P
Quote from: Dan/Panther on February 18, 2020, 12:31:59 PM
I use the kits for small parts, and I also restore vintage toy trains. It works great for items like those.
OK MATT, it's time to post a detailed procedure for sanding and polishing the Bakelite handsets. I have had limited success with Bakelite radio cases, maybe a few pointers would fill the gaps.
D/P
Haha, Here is our process. Each handset you come across is made up of different fillers so YMMV in this process.
We pre-soak the handset in hot soapy water to remove the heavy dirt, debris or adhesive from stickers. Wipe down with a sponge.
Next we put it in an ultrasonic cleaner. Similar to something a jewelry store would use to clean up a ring. Except ours is massive, we can fit a whole phone in there no problem. I use Crystal Clear cleaning solution. This will remove any embedded dirt that the soapy water couldn't get.
Back into the hot soapy water and begin the sanding process.
Wet sand the Bakelite starting with 400 grit. Then moving to 800, 1000 and finally 2000 grit.
Inspect the pieces between each sanding to ensure all the scratches are gone.
We use a rotary table top buffer to polish the Bakelite.
Start by using the black compound meant for cutting on a sewn cotton wheel.
Move over to another sewn cotton wheel with blue buffing compound.
Finally move over to a loose cotton wheel with no compound in order to give the handset a polished high gloss finish.
The high gloss finish will last a few weeks before it begins to dull again. For the handset in the photos, I take the pictures, give it a wipe down with a special glass cleaning cloth (I think its designed for cleaning eye wear) and bag it right away.
I have had this handset looking this way for a few years now without repeating the sanding/buffing process above. Occasionally, I will use some Novus 1 to hand polish it again.
Hope that helps someone. But to be honest, it really comes down to choosing the right handset. Western and Northern used truly awful Bakelite for their handsets, so its rare to get one looking like this. I find the the best Bakelite is the stuff used by Kellogg, shines up so well.
-MM