Restoring a WECo 40AL Candlestick

[cihensley@aol.com]

This candlestick was sort of a basket case when I acquired it. After removing the rust with Evapo-rust I found that rust had eaten two holes in the base plate. I patched these with JB Weld. Dennis Hallworth (decins) re-covered the base plate and re-plated the transmitter bolt. One or the pictures shows a period address/telephone number hanger that I purchased from Doug Pav (Wallphone).

Chuck

[HarrySmith]

Nice job, Chuck! Looks great!

[wds]

Very nice.  What did you use to paint it with?

[Dennis Markham]

Beautiful phone, Chuck!

[zingaro]

I too would like to know what your 40 al was painted with?
I see theres a new black.. SATIN.. that wouldnt be quite as shiny as gloss black.
i think gloss black is too new looking?
Please comment??
thanks...z

And correct me if im wrong the diff between the 20 and the 40 was brass vs steel?

[cihensley@aol.com]

Airbrushed with RustOleum gloss black reduced 50% with naphtha.

Chuck

[Sargeguy]

Nice job.  Is the base steel or brass?

[cihensley@aol.com]

Steel or brass? I don't really remember, but I think steel.

Chuck

[Sargeguy]

I too would like to know what your 40 al was painted with?
I see theres a new black.. SATIN.. that wouldnt be quite as shiny as gloss black.
i think gloss black is too new looking?
Please comment??
thanks...z

And correct me if im wrong the diff between the 20 and the 40 was brass vs steel?

I think Chuck's shade of black looks spot on for a black phone.  Not too shiny. 

40ALs had steel bases.  They were plated in a "Bower-Barf" process which gave them a grayish-green finish.  The perch and hook were (usually/sometimes/rarely) painted in a matching shade.  I think the transmitter cups and faceplates were black (although I am not sure).  40ALs were often painted black over the original Bower-Barff finish and re-used.  Sometimes you find steel bases on phones that are not 40ALs due to Bell System "re-purposing" of old parts. 

[zingaro]

My 40 has steel base and stem the perch on out is brass and it did come in the tone you described. I was assuming that was the difference between the 20/40 was the base....nice blurb on the transmitters sarge