I have a #4 that is in pretty good shape, but there are a number of spots on the press with worn or chipped paint. My feed table is particularly worn, and I am interested in touching it up both for appearance reasons, but aslo to protect the exposed metal form rust and what not.
I am wondering if anyone can reccommend a particular type of paint to use and even a color number that will be a good match to the Vandercook gray. I seem to recall Paul Moxon mentioning the use of paint to restore his number 4.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks
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Hi, All.
I’ve taken your suggestions to heart and got myself a gallon of Rustoleum Smoke Gray this afternoon. We’re finally restoring that old Model 4 I’ve had in the barn for the past ten years and at this point, the bed is off of the cabinet and the cabinet’s been sanded and sandblasted and filled and primed – by my neighbor in his auto body shop. Now the it’s ready for “the closest thing to Vandercook Gray” paint. In a few days we’ll know how it came out. I also got some of the same paint in spray cans to use on the smaller parts we’ll be painting later as the restoration continues.
I’ve taken many photos and we worked on it and hope to document the project – although after reviewing Barbara Hauser’s photo stream, it will be hard to offer more information than she has – but I’ll try! ;)
coming soon to http://ExcelsiorPress.org/proofpresses/index.html#4_99
Thanks again.
– Alan
Great. That is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you.
I second Daniel’s technique. Rustoleum Smoke Gray is the closest match I’ve found to Vandercook gray. I recommend 2 or 3 thin coats of paint using a clean velvety/low pile roller.
Terry Chouinard
The closest thing we have found to be readily available is Rustoleum Smoke Gray. It is not a perfect match, but if you use it to repaint the entire feed board it should come out looking pretty good. Just avoid the spray cans (it comes in regular cans too) and use a small and relatively hard rubber roller to apply it. Stir it well instead of shaking it and don’t compress the roller when you are applying it or you will find that it forms bubbles that dry in the paint and cause an uneven surface.
Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY