Just a quick question, what kind of paint am I using for my drill press? High quality rattle can? Automotive paint?  What is good to use? Paint on by brush? Any recommendations greatly appreciated.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Thanks Charles, that's a good observation about the automotive paint. No heat on this machine. I wonder if a good quality rattle can is good enough. I know Delta Gray in rattle can is available for machinery but I'd like to get this machine back to its original semi olive drab high gloss color.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

John......A lot of guys on owwm as well as myself have used Rustoleum rattle cans. Just make sure the surface is prepped well, clean, dry and rust free. Use a good primer first and then go for it. Or, if you are so inclined, Sherwin Williams has a good industrial metal paint it is their Direct to metal, no primer needed. It can ether be brushed or sprayed. I have chosen to spray it the times I have used it. You can thin it up to 10% with mineral spirits to allow easier spraying and I would also suggest adding some Japan Drier to aid in drying. Being it is an oil base it will take a long time to dry. I really like the finish I get with it and have used it on the Oliver table saw, a Walker Turner table saw and the Crescent jointer I am currently restoring. In fact, I still have a little of that paint left in a Walker Turner match I got off of owwm. Just be sure that when you paint to tape off the machined areas and possibly use old bolts in tapped holes to keep paint out or be prepared to run a tap in the holes to clean them up.

http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/PaintColorsWalkerTurner.ashx

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My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist

I know you mentioned getting it back to its original olive drab but if originality isn't a concern for other equipment hammerite (sp?) paint in rattles cns is good for old equipment as it helps to hide rough spots and uneven surfaces. 

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Round Barn WoodCrafts, Plymouth WI
roundbarnwoodcrafts@hotmail.com

Thanks Ken and John. I am gravitating to rattle can at this point and John I have used the Hammerite and it's good stuff. Ken, that paint formula link to OWWM is cool. That might be the trick. Now I just need to get a hold of an air compressor if I am going to go that route. Thanks guys, great advice all.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

a good paint shop should be able to load a rttle can with custon paint for you John. otherwise bring a couple of slabs of the Cedar the gentlman had posted on the classified section to Wisconsin and I'll let you borrow my HVLP sprayer system

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Round Barn WoodCrafts, Plymouth WI
roundbarnwoodcrafts@hotmail.com