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Post by Atomic Addiction on Jul 22, 2010 1:34:01 GMT -5
I posted this on the blog but thought I would throw it up here also... t's all about little victories with "Louise". I like to tackle the little stuff while doing the big things. One reason is to to take my mind off of being bogged down on a big project. The other reason is to have stuff like this done when it comes time to button everything back up. As you can see our Bargman Spring-A-Grab handle shown below is in real rough shape. The crappy pot metal these things are made of don't hold up real well. The thin chrome job they were given chips and flakes off exposing the metal below that quickly starts to oxidize and begins to pit badly. This isn't something that can be buffed out of the chrome. The chrome is basically gone. I would love to get these original pieces re-chromed but that may be a huge waste of money. Besides a few pieces sent to the chrome shop would be out of our budget. I thought I would paint instead. The picture of the handle prior to hitting it with a wire wheel to remove the flaking chrome and scuff the surface... Attachments:
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Jul 22, 2010 1:34:52 GMT -5
After wire wheeling the hell out of it and hitting a few spots with some heavy sand paper I cleaned and sprayed the first coat of primer. You can see that I am using Duplicolor Self Etching Primer. I thought I would give Duplicolor a shot even though it is a little bit pricey Vs something like Krylon. I would think of using Rustoleum if I hadn't used Duplicolor. I have had good luck in the past with some of Rustoleum products but went with a the Duplicolor because they spray well and seem to look real good. I'm not sure about durability but we will get into that more later... Attachments:
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Jul 22, 2010 1:35:25 GMT -5
You can see here that it the pitting looks like the surface of the moon... Attachments:
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Jul 22, 2010 1:36:19 GMT -5
The pitting is so bad that a filler is needed. I thought for a bit that I could use a Filler Primer but it was really just that bad so I used Bondo's Glazing & Spot Putty. The stuff works real well. Just spread it on and sand it down. Once you sand smooth just go ahead and prime with a regular primer. I went back and forth sanding and priming until I figured it would be fine to spray the top coat... Attachments:
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Jul 22, 2010 1:37:39 GMT -5
I used Duplicolor's Chrome paint. It laid down real nice. I can't rally complain. It looks pretty good for a rattle can paint. I could have done better with the filling and sanding the primer to give me a smoother overall finish. One reason is I didn't because it started out as a test to see if the process would work. Second is that it is just a stupid grab handle... Attachments:
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Jul 22, 2010 1:38:09 GMT -5
Another Before and After... Attachments:
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Jul 22, 2010 1:39:53 GMT -5
Here is my big reservation... I hope it holds up for a few years. No chrome paint is ever real tough. I'm just hoping that it isn't a chipped and cracked mess in a couple seasons. Time will only tell. At this point I'm pretty happy with the outcome. The Bargman licence plate light will soon get the similar treatment. I believe that the interior lights will also. Attachments:
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Post by jaydar1968 on Jul 22, 2010 13:06:49 GMT -5
Wow! I really think you nailed this one. When I first glanced at the thumbnails without reading the post I thought it was chromed! This type of info. will save the rest of us a lot of time (and money) when it comes time to redo ours. I do believe it will hold up for some time. If it doesn't...I guess you just paint it again  Thanks for posting this along with all the pictures. You know everyone loves pictures, and one can never post too many pictures. Over and out, Jay |
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Post by 61shastacompact on Jul 22, 2010 18:52:55 GMT -5
I have read mixed reviews on "chrome" paint Brian, but I have to say that I am impressed with the results that you achieved. Nice job as always. Another check mark on the TO DO list!
Jim
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Jul 22, 2010 21:22:50 GMT -5
Curious why it is called a spring-a-grab...was there some type of spring in it? I cannot figure out what that open slot is all about...just part of the design?? Nice job on your handle restore...I'll really be curious to see how it holds out...hopefully well!
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Jul 23, 2010 0:25:58 GMT -5
Wow! I really think you nailed this one. When I first glanced at the thumbnails without reading the post I thought it was chromed! This type of info. will save the rest of us a lot of time (and money) when it comes time to redo ours. I do believe it will hold up for some time. If it doesn't...I guess you just paint it again Thanks for posting this along with all the pictures. You know everyone loves pictures, and one can never post too many pictures. Over and out, Jay Jay, Yep, I love pictures myself. There is something about seeing something over hearing about it. You are right. This in particular is the easiest to repaint. Just unscrew it and prime and paint. It isn't like the Trail-lite where you have to disassemble it. I have read mixed reviews on "chrome" paint Brian, but I have to say that I am impressed with the results that you achieved. Nice job as always. Another check mark on the TO DO list! Jim Jim, I too am leery but we will see how it hangs in there. Part of the decent finish is the paint itself. Duplicolor sprays so much better than cheepo rattle cans. I like it so far. Curious why it is called a spring-a-grab...was there some type of spring in it? I cannot figure out what that open slot is all about...just part of the design?? Nice job on your handle restore...I'll really be curious to see how it holds out...hopefully well! Tom, Why is called that? I dunno. That is what is stamped in the inside of them. The window? I believe that they had a lighted version of this handle. The guts were mounted in the upper portion. The light shone down and you can see the light through the hole. I think they may have had a lens in the hole but I'm not entirely sure about that. THANKS FOR THE COMPLIMENTS GUYS! Brian |
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Jul 23, 2010 11:19:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the explaination Brian...a lighted version sounds quite interesting and somewhat luxurious....although, after I learned that the board in my closet was an ironing board, nothing much surprises me ;-)
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See my rebuild pics at: 
