SMC Discussion Areas

Hi all
Well, Im thinking of taking on my first resto myself.  Looking to get a westinghouse jr.
I have a contact for getting the machine sandblasted, as well as an auto body shop to have it painted.
I have the contact for powdercoating the inside. And because of this site, I know where to get aftermarket parts etc...

What I'm having a hard time with... is finding a guy in my area that would hand paint the letters for me.  In reading a lot of the posts here, someone mentioned doing it "old school' way, and having the letters hand done, as opposed to other methods, and I tend to agree.
BUT who does this? Autobody guys? I mean, I've searched and searched.. but where does one find a COKE MACHINE EMBOSSED LETTERING PAINTER? lol

Any help would be GREAT
THanks all in advance

 :happydrinkers:

Check with hot rod clubs, they usually have a lead on pin stripers who still use paint instead of  paint.

Sign Companies, the local college art department,  an ad  in the local paper looking for a  old school sign painter.....

Yes Like already stated.. look for someone who does custom signs, pinstriping, and that type of work,, they most likely can do it ..

or yes check with some local auto clubs, classic car restoration companies or even some old time body shop guys,, they all know others like them and most likeley can help you out.

if that doesn't work, I am not sure, but check with funtronics, he make make a masking kit for the Jr like he has for the 81's and a few others...

Good Luck!

I finally found a guy locally that is going to do my Westy Jr.  I went on line a went through the Sign Company section. And this guy said he use to do alot emboss painting years ago. He is not cheap, about $60 per side.

I paid $310.00 for my entire WD 10 ( Westy )

I paid over $100.00 each to get three VMC 81s done a while back. Your price sounds like a good deal.

Sounds fair I pay 125 to get a vendo 81 done

Wow, I thought he was high, but sounds like I'm getting a good deal.

Anyone else ever try the two stage paint method? Paint letter color then background color over, then fine grit sand embossing to remove paint on embossing to base color?

      Yes and no. I paint the letter color, then clear. Paint the background color, rub paint off letters with solvent until they come through nicely.............. then clear.

I tried it on an embossed panel I cut from a V83 and it worked, but not as easy as it sounds. Really need to build up the base coat a lot. I put about 5 coats with a spray can, and I have one or 2 light spots where the primer can be seen through the white. I did the best I could a clear coated it. Its hanging on my wall and looks good..

Can you post a picture of your results?

    Work in progress pic

nice job, very steady hand for that

Glen

Plse excuse my ignorance here but from what I understand the red is already under the letters from the first coat
and by using solvants you are removing the white on top?

What are you using to apply the solvant so as not to bleed into the rest of the machine?

Dave

Glen...
 What embossing is that Pepsi from a 81?.. the shadows make it look debossed?

Yes I 'd be curiuos as to what solvent you use that only removes the white, and not the read and how you apply...

      Solvent I use is "pre-cleano" or the same stuff used to remove oils from the surface before painting. I apply a small amount to a paper towel and with 1 finger rub on the top surface to absorb the paint (not just push it over the edges). Keep using a clean section of the towel to remove paint, make several passes over all the letters so as not to get one area too "hot".  If I do burn through the background I just spray white on that section again, the basecoat does not leave shadows. Last pass should concentrate on nice clean edges.
      Once happy with the results, clearcoat over the entire section and the letters will never rub off with future cleaning products like the sign painters softer paint will do.

Looks outstanding... will have to give it a try on the next one..