Author Topic: Stem Restoration (Read 1359 times)

monkian · « **on:** March 31, 2014, 09:37 AM »

I thought I'd contribute this little resto

It started off as a bit of an experiment but it worked out alright so thought I'd chuck it up.
I hope it's of some use

You might know I bought a stem that was the wrong size so I went out and got this replacement. I took a bit of a gamble on it as it needed some work but I thought I'd give it a go & don't mind using resto parts on a build. Anyhow it turned up like this:

Looking at the base, it's got a textured finish from casting with what looks like a semi-matt type finish so I thought I'd try to recreate it without loosing the texture or stamp definition. I did all the usual prep, clean, de-grease, a bit of light sanding (with a sanding sponge) and I used needle files to work out any small chips etc. Looked in the garage and found an old pot of matt black house paint and a tin of gloss black spray paint so I just mixed together a small amount of both (probably around 60/40 or 70/30 - gloss/matt).

To apply it I used a bit of old tea-towel wrapped around my finger and just dabbed it on. Small dabs, working quite quickly around the whole base. The nice thing is, there's no rush and you can work back over it to even the paint out. Even when it's going off and still tacky, you can use your finger to work out any uneven texture or high points. It sounds like a lot of fuss but it goes off quick so it's no big deal. I gave it three coats, lightly using a bit of wire wool to key between them.

I think I'll work some more on polishing the top but I'm pretty pleased with it so far.

Oh yeah, it's a good idea to think about where to put it to dry...
I got caught out and had to work something out still holding on to it

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2014, 09:45 AM »

Great stuff Paul, top resto, looks ace.

Bet you looked a right tool walking around the supermarket carrying a stem waiting for the paint to dry.

BMX1973 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2014, 09:45 AM »

That looks a good result.

Top tip with the teat towel. How many layers of dabbing did you do?

monkian · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2014, 10:25 AM »

Yeah, it was a bit tricky putting my clothes back on

It was x3 rounds of dabbing (drying in-between)...
The first one was just in matt but didn't look right so then I mixed in the gloss

oldschoolace · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2014, 10:33 AM »

Great idea that and cracking results

animal · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2014, 10:54 AM »

Awesome

fischflo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2014, 11:57 AM »

towel resto, i like that!

nice

NORTY40 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:36 PM »

Nice resto Paul

monkian · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:51 PM »

Thanks lads

Tea-towel texture-tastic

kungfunky · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:58 PM »

You clever bugger

kang · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2014, 04:51 PM »

Looks good

chubby · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2014, 07:47 PM »

Looks great that bud, hope you hid the tea towel at the bottom of the laundry basket

rollin72 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 01, 2014, 07:38 PM »

belting

Gashead · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2014, 07:46 PM »

That's awesome

Gizmo · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2014, 06:26 PM »

Nice that looks the nuts

Gary72 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 07, 2014, 09:40 PM »

Great result, I know it's abit late now but I have a block of wood that I have used a 22mm flat bit in to hold a stem when drying. Or cut up a coat hanger and hang it in the oven to bake