Machine Tool Paint

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GWRdriver

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A heads-up for those of you who have a Tractor Supply Co branch nearby . . . TSC sells "Valspar" 1-part enamels in aerosol cans, quarts, and gallons in about 18 "farm" equipment colors although not all stores will have all colors and quanities. I am currently rebuilding a Rockwell #15-087 drill press and I'm using Valspar "Massey-Ferguson" Grey (aerosol) on the rebuild which is almost a dead match for the old Rockwell grey. The Valspar "Ford" tractor grey is considerably lighter looks to be about the same color as the 618 rebuild pictured in the Atlas 618 thread.

The Valspar aerosols are heavy-bodied and have a lot of pigment compared to the aerosols I've gotten at the "Big Box" and I'm very happy with both the quality of the paint and the price. I have a quart of the enamel which I haven't used yet but I expect to be just as pleased with that. TSC also sell a Valspar hardener but I'm happy with what I'm getting out of the can. I don't claim there's anything spectacular or out of the ordinary about his paint, except that it's as good as I've used lately and is widely available at a reasonable prices. Usual discalimer - I have no interest in this product or company other than as a satisfied user.

BTW, the best off-the-shelf 1-part machine tool paint I ever used was Glidden High-Gloss Industrial Enamel (that was the name) from the mid-1980s. It was very heavy and dried very hard and brush marks (I never bothered spraying) disappeared completely. Some years ago I finally used the last of a gallon and when I went back for more what I got was "New and Improved!" but turned out to have nowhere near the same quality or performance!
 
Harry,
The best paint I ever used was sears rust inhibitor paint in quarts from the 70's I think. I sprayed a trailer when it rained a little and just beaded off with no marks. It is still on my next door guy's trailer and it still looks good. It was more than likely lead based and do not make it anymore.
Paul
 
Thanks we have a local tractor supply, that just what I need Ford grey, for my Ford.
 
FYI, I am using a product called "Zero Rust" .

I doesn't have a ton of colors, but can be mixed or colors added.

The positive side is it works just like the name.... ZERO RUST!

I have used it on several metal projects that were used in severe environments. In one case I painted some handrails on a student apartment where the students just hammered on it. After 10 years... not one speck of rust!

I am sold on it. I have typically brushed it on. However, on my lathe I didn't want any brush marks. I sprayed it on lathe with a cheap HVLP gun from HD for $50 +/- after first cutting it with some Lacquer Thinner (I added about 20% lacquer thinner). I came out great! I can assure you there won't be any rust.

It is expensive (about $25 per quart, or $50 / gal). That is more that the typical stuff you get from the local hardware store, but you only have to do it once!

i recommend you get it from the manufacturer. Even with the shipping, it less than half of what the retail supplier in my region sell it. Here is a link:

http://zero-rust.com/?referrer=google&gclid=CPCqt9fVlqsCFRAaQgodJHYyPw

I typically buy it a gallon at a time and give what I don't use away. It doesn't have a long shelf life unless you periodically open it up, add some LT and mix it thouroughly.
 
I started to clean up and repaint part of my Keller power hacksaw, but due to winter weather I had to give up until spring. I learned some time back that dark colors are not always the best choice, as lighter colors on table surfaces, etc., will make it much easier to see typically dark colored pieces of metal. As a result, I was looking for a light grey color to use and settled on Ford gray, which I picked up at TSC. It was some of the nicest paint that I've used in some time, and it is a wonderful color for a saw. Since the saw and base are almost all cast iron with raised lettering, I figure the old girl should look pretty sharp painted all light Ford gray with red raised lettering. I'll have to wait for spring to find out for sure, but I've already got enough of the Valspar paint here to finish the job. Now I just hope that they continue with the Valspar product for a few years, as I am seriously planning to do my lathe and mill in the same colors once the saw is done.

Anyway, I have to agree that the TSC tractor colors work very well and go on very nicely. No affiliation with them or with Valspar, just a happy customer.
 
TSC no longer sells the good Valspar paint. It's now Majic brand and has mixed reviews.
 
TSC Ford grey?? Me being a pack rat, I bought some from TSC (grey) that was a waste may as well
painted it white all due to saving my last quart of real Ford Paint (not New Holland) unfortunatly I had
to open the can. Its a strange grey also I got the decals from Napa $44 and a new sterring wheel
1947 Ford. Keith Fenner tip >>>I put the old steering wheel on my drill press what a difference.
Going back to the paint. My last S. Bend not restore only spruced up, I tried Rustolem painters choice
Dk. grey. When I reduced it a little it went to junk I didnt know it was water base. Got a new can
brushed it on, this stuff dries in no-time leaves no brush marks. Although I am not an animal on machines
but, oil, wipe down with gas/rag, its seem bulit proof. Its semi gloss then my 1918 GK lathe got
Rustolem Sruce green thats a nice machine color. Oh the animal part? I do not place things/ tools
on painted surfaces. And then for blacks and alum colors, semi flat, I use high heat paint quick dry
local hardware stuff.
 
I have been using Tremclad. It flows well, don't rust and don't leave brush marks. Here is an example.

P1010785.JPG

P1010785.JPG
 
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