On 10/06/2011 09:42 AM, Norm wrote:
Hi Riceboxjim
Your web site is neat and you do a very good job in making them look
like new.  I have a M28 ASR, M15 RS, and a M14 TD that I am trying 
to clean, and no way do they look like yours. So I was wondering if 
you could tell me the steps you took and the material to get them 
cleaned up like they are now.  I know one thing, it takes a lot of 
elbow grease.

Thanks
Norm
WB7WEQ

Thanks Norm for your questions

For re-painting, I take the old paint down as far as I can - remove 
flakes, rust, grease etc. Sand any spots down to the metal and 
depending on the finish I want, I either use wrinkle finish black 
paint, or in the case of the TT-98 and the M19 I used a finish 
called "Stone" from one of the big box stores. If I can not find the
color in a spray can, I sometimes match it via the computer matching 
system at Home Depot and then use a small roller to paint the 
surface/s. If the new paint matches close enough, then the out come 
is reasonable.

p.s. I always clean the surfaces with lacquer thinner before any 
painting. Do this outside due to the strong fumes.

If the item in question is small enough, I usually bake the wrinkle 
finish in the oven on 200 degrees for at least 1/2 hour. (M-14 TD)

Any plastic surfaces, I use Meguiar's cleaner wax and lots of 
repeated efforts until it is the way I want (keytops).

As for rust, I did it the hard way, wire brush, wire wheel either 
with a hand drill or lathe. repeat as necessary, emery cloth too. 
I even cleaned rusted springs on a wire wheel on the lathe. 
Place spring on a handle side of a spring hook as an example and go 
at it.  Recently there was talk on greenkeys that a gel/liquid type 
of cleaner was available that needed less elbow grease or zero elbow 
grease. I never tried it so I can only say others think it is great.

Lastly, all it takes is time and effort to restore these things into
a better looking project.
I have more pix to add when I can find the time to do it.

Hope the above helps some.

Rice

--------------------------------------------------------------------

On 10/06/2011 01:00 PM, Gerry Block wrote:
Rice, unbelievable restorations...
  
Gerry
AD6MC

--------------------------------------------------------------------
On 10/06/2011 10:00 AM, Barrie wrote:
Hi Jim--

I saw the link to your website in GreenKeys Digest this morning, 
and I just had to write to compliment you on your beautiful site 
you've built and the amazing job you've done restoring "Rusty" and 
all the other teletype gear.  What a pleasure to see these wonderful
old machines rescued from the brink of death and brought back back 
to life! 

I never restored it to the extent that you do with yours--that's 
simply amazing!  My sincere compliments!

I'd like to see more photos of your restorations, with some in
progress pictures as well as just the before and after shots.  
I can't imagine how you do such a beautiful job, and I'd enjoy 
seeing a writeup of your techniques if you'd care to share them on 
the site.  I suspect a lot of people would be willing to do these 
major restorations if they knew how how to go about doing it.

Anyway, thanks for the great website and for the amazing job you've 
done--you've really inspired me to go beyond mere cleaning and 
lubricating these great old workhorses.

Best wishes! 
Barrie, W6DX
Riverside CA

--------------------------------------------------------------------