opinions on aesthetics of rear parts on vintage machines

[jasonlujan]

I'm reworking a 1950s machine and doing the back now. I started cleaning them and just spraying with clear lacquer to preserve, but now rethinking that.


I've seen various treatments of other machines, from just leaving it clean, gray primer (on non-moving parts), to metallic spraypaint.

Any thoughts or ideas on what you've seen that works on rear mechanics?


IMG_1425.jpg

[Wayne-Ooo]

I've done a few machines. Once the pieces have been cleaned and it has a good patina color, no rust, I would spray them with lacquer. Whatever part of the piece contacted the balls, I would shine/rub with Miracle Cloth.

Other machines the pieces were just to rusty. For me, rust is not a patina, It's rust. On those machines the pieces got painted.

I really done know that there is a correct answer, it's a personal preference.

[sparky kilowatt]

I kind of like the patina look you've got on your vintage parts, so I'd vote for just sealing them with clear lacquer.

[SibSr]

I have a old single shot that is a stalled project.
Singleshotback.jpg


I went with a CLR bath on all the sheet metal parts which took the surface rust off, and decided to paint the stripped parts immediately after blow drying them.
I ended up using an enamel that was handy. (Actually SAC Bomber Gray - one of the 3 camouflage colors for Vietnam era B-52's)

Singleshotparts2.jpg Singleshotparts1.jpg