Bedplate Question(s)

[wcukras]

Hello,

I've been struggling with my DX bedplate condition. It's inconsistent in appearance, and after multiple cleaning, shining, etc. I can't get the results I want. After looking at this wonderful presentation (Restoration Diary" that was posted some time ago,, I wanted to ask for an opinion about mine. Please see the attached  photo and any advise would be appreciated. I'm hoping to use shellac (or something similar) to get that shine back but was concerned about causing other issues.

Also, should I attempt touching up the paint scratches, etc., and if so with what type of paint?

 

Could you describe the process?

 

Thanks,

Wayne Cukras

Broadview Hts, Oh

[Jerry]

Wayne,

 

There is no easy way to make that look much better. You saw in the "Restoration Diary", how a similar, (but worse), top plate was restored. Recall that the blistered areas were chipped away, revealing rust underneath, then lots of sanding, filling in the missing finish with many coats of paint, fine sanding, new stripe decals where needed, and finally many coats of shellac. That's if you want it to look like the example in the "diary". If you just want it to be shiny, then I suppose shellac will do that. However, please at least remove the blistered/rusty spots and repaint those areas. Also, sand down the paint already applied on the right edge, to level it out. Very fine wet-or-dry sandpaper, along with using a sanding block. New decals before shellac, as well. Remove the nameplate before shellac. 

 

Just coating what you've got, as-is, would be akin to putting make-up on a pig. I don't mean that to be sarcastic, but I can't come up with a better analogy. 

 

As to what type of paint, the "diary" mentioned "asphaltum" as being the filler paint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Jerry

[wcukras]

Jerry,

Thank you for your response and solid advice, this is exactly what I was hoping for. 
 

Wayne