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by **traffic-light-man** on Fri Oct 19, 2012 5:21 pm

Hi All,

Now that I'm self-employed, I find myself with days where I've got nothing to do. Having not really touched my signals whilst I've been through college, I've decided now that I'm going to restore my oldest Tin head, to pass the time.

I began by painting the white stripe around the amber section with Plastikote paint, just to see what the result would be like really. Whilst I quite like the paint itself, the brush-strokes are too obvious for me, even after 4+ coats of the stuff.

So, my first question for those of you who have already done a tin head - how did you paint on the alternating stripes? Spray paint and a lot of masking tape, or did you paint it by hand? What paint did you use?

I've stripped the signal down this evening, and I've started to sand off the old corroded patches and the old paint etc. I don't plan on taking it right down to the bare aluminium, but I will if I have to.

My other question regards stubborn screws. There are a few screws I can't seem to shift. I've applied heat to no avail. I've left the piece soaking in hot water to no avail. I have yet to try lubricant as I've left that at work. I'm not sure if there might be some paint preventing the screw from loosening, so I'm tempted to try and get some paint stripper on there.

Any suggestions for me with this project?

Cheers,
Si. :wave:

by **RunsWithCrouse-Hinds** on Fri Oct 19, 2012 5:33 pm

Have you tried a butane torch on the stuck screws? Or are those considered "weapons" in the UK... :shock:

I think hot water would do more harm than good...

by **traffic-light-man** on Fri Oct 19, 2012 5:58 pm

I haven't actually got my butane torch at the minute, though I was hoping that I mightn't need one. I used a flame from a cooker hob ( :shock:

), actually, but I don't think that's concentrated enough. I'll get my butane torch on the case ASAP!

I was cleaning various bits and bobs in the hot water anyway (mainly lenses and other stuff), so I thought it was worth a try - I don't think its done any damage, though!

by **LarryC39** on Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:41 pm

I just mask off the border after I've sprayed the white and dried it good & long, then in the big area I put down paper and only tape the edges. Saves a lot of tape. Paint won't go through paper if you don't soak it.

My three came apart easy except for some visor screws that got stuck. I don't think I resorted to the hob or a torch at all. Some of the easier signals I've had to restore.

by **TacomaJoe** on Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:24 pm

There are a few screws I can't seem to shift.

I would let them soak up some spray solvent screw ease stuff. I find that with these small screws and up to 3/8 inch, that I can't tell the difference between unscrewing and twisting in two. I find that a week of soaking with daily spayings helps the odds. I find that a lot of my signal rebuild work is drill/tap.

by **somuchtoseeanddo** on Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:15 pm

Please post photos of the final product, or even the process. Good luck with the screws. Those Plesseys are very pleasant!

by **traffic-light-man** on Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:04 am

Hi all,

Sound some WD40 in the cupboard, so I'm using that. I've managed to loosen a few screw by gently tapping the screwdriver with a hammer, which seems to have loosened them.

I'll get plenty of pictures and upload them asap!

by **LarryC39** on Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:26 pm

You should really bin the WD40 and get some real penetrating oil. I'm not sure what brands they sell under across the pond, but names like Kroil, PBBlaster, Liquid Wrench, etc. sell over here.

by **traffic-light-man** on Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:15 pm

Well, I'm happy to say that all the screws came out with no heat in the end.

I first used Paint Stripping Gel to remove the years of built up paint on the screws, and then I applied the WD40 and left it overnight. They were free by the morning.

I've been busy spray-painting last night and today, and I've also stripped out the old cloth wiring and replaced it with modern cable (I really don't trust the old cloth stuff in the house!).

I have to say, though, I'm not too impressed with the finish off the Hammerite.
I think on my next painting job, I'm going to use spray-on Plastikote paint.

I think it should be ready to assemble later on tomorrow evening!

by **Canuck_in_TX** on Wed Oct 24, 2012 8:52 am

I used painter's tape when I did my Tin Plessey signal. I believe the paint used was Rust-Oleum brand spray paint.

I was lucky because when I stripped off the paint (it was green when I acquired it from my barber) I found the original paint underneath - the black and white theme...so I did not have to measure the sections.

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