Omnimill paint

[daleyd]

Evenin all...

I’ve got my mill to paint, I was going to just plonk it on the floor and get on with using it but the paint that’s on there is bugging me as it’s been lashed on over grease nipples and everything else and just looks poor to be honest, so I’ll probably do a complete strip/refurb and repaint.

Now, don’t hold it against me but - I painted my Elliot progress drill with green hammerite (because I already had some and I’m tight) and beyond all expectations I was actually quite impressed by both the finish and the durability.

But, for this I think I’ll make some sort of an effort and get something a bit more “professional”, which is not a word you’ll usually hear from my lips.

I know Tractol is well thought of, any other good paints to consider? It’ll probably be brush or roller finish, I do have a decent compressor but only have a standard filter/regulator and I’m not convinced it’ll be moisture free enough for decent spraying, though I’ll happily have a bash if it can be done with what I have and gives a good finish.

Any good undercoat recommendations? The coolant tank is in the base of the machine - would you paint this too, would undercoat be enough for this?

finally, and I realise I’m opening myself up to a world of pain here - what colour? I could go trad fergie grey I guess, but any other suggestions? I’m not overly fussed about originality

Cheers

Dale

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I went tractor primer and techaloid top coat.
Smith and Allen will mix to ral.
Both my lathes were done in it and goes on lovely with a brush

Not set up for spraying but think it can be

 

[Milkybars]

Okaywhere do I start ...
Paint I'd definately go for a good quailty enamel. (I used Paragon, but have heard good stuff about the stuff @eLuSiVeMiTe posted about)
I couldn't find any paint codes for "original colours" but I went with a two tone affair like some of the images I found of original machines.
In the end I went with RAL7004 Signal Grey (semi gloss) and RAL 7003 (Gloss), I changed to semi gloss as full gloss was just too much !
I used the standard zinc primer from paragon all hand brushed. (primer, 2 coats of colour)

With Regards the coolant tank, I ended up getting a plastic sealed tank that "just fits". I also ended up fitting a perspex cover to the left bottom side so I can keep on eye on everything !

What I would say is you need SPACE and time to allow the paint to go off reasonably hard takes a few days

The one job I wish I'd done was change the sight glass on the Column. I avoided this an it still weeps a bit.

The strip down did also allow me to clean out some grease that had been put in places that should be oil, I changed quite a few nipples

 

[daleyd]

Okaywhere do I start ...
Paint I'd definately go for a good quailty enamel. (I used Paragon, but have heard good stuff about the stuff @eLuSiVeMiTe posted about)
I couldn't find any paint codes for "original colours" but I went with a two tone affair like some of the images I found of original machines.
In the end I went with RAL7004 Signal Grey (semi gloss) and RAL 7003 (Gloss), I changed to semi gloss as full gloss was just too much !
I used the standard zinc primer from paragon all hand brushed. (primer, 2 coats of colour)

With Regards the coolant tank, I ended up getting a plastic sealed tank that "just fits". I also ended up fitting a perspex cover to the left bottom side so I can keep on eye on everything !

What I would say is you need SPACE and time to allow the paint to go off reasonably hard takes a few days

The one job I wish I'd done was change the sight glass on the Column. I avoided this an it still weeps a bit.

The strip down did also allow me to clean out some grease that had been put in places that should be oil, I changed quite a few nipples

Cracking job mate, if mine turns out half as good as that I’ll be a happy bunny

 

[Milkybars]

Oh and whatever you do don't go ******** about with the clock spring under the cover on the vertical head.
Just gingerly check its greased and leave well alone. I broke mine and sourcing a replacement was a complete and utter nightmare finding someone that had the correct size (imperial lovelyness) spring steel and willing to do a one off job !!

You can't drop the vertical head out without disconnecting this and getting the tension right afterwards led to breakage. So i'd keep this all together, the arms come off and the boss is grub screwed on

 

[Brad93]

Tractol or Paragon seem to be the most common colours.

my Elliott was originally a very light blue grey by the looks of it

 

[daleyd]

Oh and whatever you do don't go ******** about with the clock spring under the cover on the vertical head.
Just gingerly check its greased and leave well alone. I broke mine and sourcing a replacement was a complete and utter nightmare finding someone that had the correct size (imperial lovelyness) spring steel and willing to do a one off job !!

You can't drop the vertical head out without disconnecting this and getting the tension right afterwards led to breakage. So i'd keep this all together, the arms come off and the boss is grub screwed on

I don’t have plans to touch the vertical head - the previous owner bought this separate and it’s almost new! So other than a clean, paint and lube it’s good to go.

The main mill body is where the paint has been lashed on, and is much older than the vertical head - so that’s where most of the time will be spent.

Great advice though, thanks