Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB750 => Topic started by: UKROBK7 on March 15, 2011, 09:01:41 AM
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Has anyone any experience in refinishing the castings of the 750 switchgear and the brake master cylinder? It looks like the original finish was black anodising as the areas that have been protected from the sun are black whereas the areas exposed to the sun have faded to either a grey or brownish colour. I have taken them to a local anodisers and they say they do not believe the switches to be anodised as they reckon the anodising would show up the grain structure of the casting plus the glossy "laquered" look on the switch gear has them puzzled.
If I have them powdercoated the lettering may disappear, if I have them 2K painted will the finish last with wear from gloved hands?
HELP!!! Any recommendations??
rob
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Some ides here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=7355.0 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=7355.0)
and here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=49339.0 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=49339.0)
loads more if you search around on there.
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Thanks for the links, plenty to read there! Did you use satin or gloss powdercoat on your switches?
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Quite possibly the most comprehensive discussion on the subject (maybe) can be found here (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=80532.0).
You'll see a post or two from me some way toward the bottom of the thread. I had my switches powdercoated with a satin (semi-matt) finish 'cos it matched the originals on the particular model I was working on - but given how good the results were, I'd not hesitate to get others glossed. In fact, I'm taking a whole bunch of bits to get coated in the very near future and since my last visit, my powdercoater can now do both the paint coat (after all, powdercoat is basically paint) and a clear lacquer coat, too. I intend to get my 750 bits done in gloss black with lacquer.
You're right though, the lettering is very tricky. Again, see the link for ideas, but gloss enamel and fine art brushes are a good place to start.
Hope that helps.
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ChrisR suggested to me to spray with PJ1 black coating, heating both the housing and paint to around 70C. Then bake in an oven followed by a light application of Solvol autosol to give the correct finish like anodizing.
If I am giving your trade secrets away Chris just shout and I will wipe this post!! ;D
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PJ1-BLACK-SATIN-ENGINE-CASE-HIGH-TEMP-SPRAY-PAINT-CAN_W0QQitemZ390236623783QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=218160010542&rvr_id=218160010542&cguid=c29cca8912c0a0aa13136113ff84ce78 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PJ1-BLACK-SATIN-ENGINE-CASE-HIGH-TEMP-SPRAY-PAINT-CAN_W0QQitemZ390236623783QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=218160010542&rvr_id=218160010542&cguid=c29cca8912c0a0aa13136113ff84ce78)
I have not tried it yet but I suggested this to another ChrisB, who lives near me and his K2 was done like this and was the runner up in this years CB competition for best restoration.
Cheers
Ash
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This is great! I have never had to refinish switchgear before as I have been lucky to buy cheap NOS items for previous bikes but I have found the 750s are a different matter!!
I know of 2 good powder coaters and I am sure I have a tin of PJ1 somewhere from my Shadow resto to try that first and see what it looks like. It may not be any good for the master cylinder but I think the new fluids (DOT 4?) are kinder to paint. My wife has just reminded me that a restored Goldwing we had some time ago had what looked like glossy powdercoated switchgear and master cylinder and they looked very good.
Looking at the links I realise I've got to do something about the kill switch, mine is the early soft type which has faded and I may have to look round for a scrap switch that has a good kill switch.
I have just made a cup of tea and I'll start taking the switches apart and watch for the bits and pieces flying everywhere!
Rob
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These folk now do switchgear
http://www.guagerepairs.com/ (http://www.guagerepairs.com/)
Looks like a nice job. May not suit all, but handy to know if you don't have the time/skill/courage etc.
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I was surprised how well plastic paint worked on the kill switch of the set I rebuilt. The colour had basically been bleached out of the black knob (it had gone grey/white) so once the switch was apart, I keyed the surfaces up with some high grade wet and dry and then sprayed it with several light coats of plastic paint.
Looking at it now, you'd never know.
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Never thought of plastic paint, I'll give that a try as the switch knob is still sound and just wants brightening up.
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I refinished my switches using Humbrol model paint, H21 Gloss black, applied with my Airbrush, I used red Humbrol H19 to outline the lettering, should really have been orange though (H18).
Here's a link to another thread, http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php?topic=1704.msg2549#msg2549 (http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php?topic=1704.msg2549#msg2549)
Cheers
Den
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I must admit I thought the lettering was faded red but after reading your post I scraped the lettering and it was orange. Checked all my Humbrol from my aircraft modelling days (I must have a 100 tins or so) and you guessed it, no orange. Well down to the shops!
Switches are now completely apart. Photos, sketches, and notes taken and parts separately bagged - don't want to loose the tiny springs and contacts!
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Guess what when i polished my switches i managed to loose the ball bearing that goes under the on off switch ARSE!!!!!!
Pete
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If anyone loses any bits I may have a spare bit.
Cheers
Ash
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Posted your kill switch knob today Rob 1st Class
cheers
Ash
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Thanks Ash. just cleaned all the contacts and blades, nylon plugs in the ultrasonic cleaner and cables resleeved. Switch bodies with the powdercoater who is trying to see what finish he can achieve. Found some Humbrol Fire Orange in my box for the lettering but its gloss and I think it should be matt - it looks nice though! I see on the US site there is a recommendation to use FS 12197 matt International Orange, believe the closest match to this is Humbrol 82 or HR132 Orange Lining (railway colour).
Rob
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Had a look for FS12197 on the FS to model paint chart and only came up with Xtracolor X103
Here's the chart. http://ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_fs.htm (http://ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_fs.htm)
Cheers
Den
Edit
Model Master does do FS12197, you can get it in the UK from Relish models, Graham is a great guy to deal with
http://www.relishmodels.co.uk/model-master-enamel-fs12197-international-orange.html (http://www.relishmodels.co.uk/model-master-enamel-fs12197-international-orange.html)
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Ordered today from Graham at Relish - thanks for the info. Tempted to buy some of his large scale models as well but resisted as I have enough problems with the "full size" model of the K7!!!
Rob
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I know the feeling as when I was working on the F1 my models were very neglected ! However if you are tempted Graham is the one to go to as his prices are very competative.
Cheers
Den
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Hi Den & Gang sorry to hijack this thread, what do you do with your models when you have finished them?, display cabinet or something? when i was a kid i used to hang my planes from the ceiling on lengths of cotton 8), cheers Mick.
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This is like Hyperscale / Britmodeler.
By the sounds of it there are quite a few Kit bashers all so on this site :D
Paul All so a Kit Basher
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Yes I am a confirmed kit basher and a member of both HS and Britmodeller, here's where my finished kits live, I have three of these cabinets in the dining room and lots of shelves up in my study.
Cheers
Den
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z244/DennisMcc/Models/Modelcabinets.jpg)
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Finished the 2 switches last week, thought you might want to see the result. They are now on the bike and I am wrestling with the spaghetti to get it all in behind the headlamp!!
Thanks for all the help,
Rob
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Great job..look like new..very impressive!!!!
My 500 has the same switchgear (originally off a K3). I polished mine as they are not std anyway. I polished the goldwing Master cyl aswell. I have 2 duff switches though...the kill switch is very very faded - the red plastic is 'rotting' and the text on top is mush. The dipper switch is a white glued and pinned lego block.
Looking for a decent kill switch knob and any kind of intact dipper if anyone has one..?
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Nice job, they really look like new (probably better than !)
Cheers
Den
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Great job..look like new..very impressive!!!!
My 500 has the same switchgear (originally off a K3). I polished mine as they are not std anyway. I polished the goldwing Master cyl aswell. I have 2 duff switches though...the kill switch is very very faded - the red plastic is 'rotting' and the text on top is mush. The dipper switch is a white glued and pinned lego block.
Looking for a decent kill switch knob and any kind of intact dipper if anyone has one..?
I gave the only decent one I has to UKRob. I do have another one somewhere but not sure about the condition
Switches look great Rob - what did you use to finish the black bodies in the end.
Ash
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Thanks Ash, satin powdercoat by Redditch Shotblasting LIGHTLY applied. Dave did a great job but they have to get the masking right on the lower half of the left hand switch to allow for how the top half fits. They didn't blast the insides so the original finish is still there for protection. The gloss sample I had didn't look right so I went for the satin. You can polish the satin to make it look more glossy if you want. I removed the paint in the lettering using a scalpel before Redditch bead blasted them and I have a freehand engraver which is not very good but I ran that in the lettering to make the letters a bit crisper. The "S"s were the worst on my switches. All of the small electrical bits and pieces including the cable ends went in a small ultrasonic bath (Aldi) with warm water and fairy liquid. Had to do them a few times plus a small brush but they came out looking good.
I had a look at some black anodising locally and it hadn't got the density that Honda used. Also they believed that the Honda finish may have been coated after anodising (they thought clear powdercoat) and when anodising the parts again the grain structure in the castings might show up.
Thanks for the switch knob Ash, it finished them off a treat!
Rob