Getting started restoring a VMC 27

[Pat Pixley]

I would have it soda blasted  low heat no warping,
that will remove the paint & decals & light rust
the heavy rust then sand blast those area's.

 That what I had done to my 55 slider
inside & out.

  Just my thoughts

[spitzme]

Thanks Dave, RC and Pat for your ideas and feedback!  I am going to check around and see if I can get someone to blast it before undertaking it myself.  I appreciate the info on painting it yourself... how do the rest of you paint your machines?  Is the inside just cleaned or do I need to spray the inside silver wheel with paint as well?
Sorry for all of the "novice" questions... but I am what I am!   

[RC kid]

keep asking them. The answers you are getting are helping me in my projects as well.

[GreginNM]

Same here!  I'm learning a lot.  What kind of paint gun would be best to use in painting these machines?  I'd like to try my hand with my Westinghouse Standard.

[Pat Pixley]

Eastwood Company has a nice little deal about soda blasting.
see attached.

 http://www.eastwoodco.com/text/content/videos/movies/Soda%20Blasting.mov

[spitzme]

Notice to all!  I just had to publicly thank Moondawg for hooking me up with a cabinet for my vendolator 27..  Thanks again Glen!  I appreciate all of the help!
-Mike

[Pat Pixley]

Really quick if you have it all broke down then yes have the inside sprayed
it will not hurt any thing.

  I've started spraying the inside cabinet and compressor area's with a spray
on  spray on bed liner then having the shop paint right over it .

[spitzme]

Very cool.  Do you clearcoat or put any finish on after the decals, or are they the last step?

[spitzme]

I have been looking for the rectangular shaped bit to unscrew the "screws" but have had no luck so far.  Napa, Sears, Autozone all have no idea what I was talking about.  Any place online to order the handtool?
-Mike

[collecture]

I have been looking for the rectangular shaped bit to unscrew the "screws" but have had no luck so far.  Napa, Sears, Autozone all have no idea what I was talking about.  Any place online to order the handtool?
-Mike

It is called a clutch head screw - there are several sizes of bits available. I got mine at ACE hardware. You should be able to wiggle one screw out with a small slotted screwdriver and take it with you.