best paint for Little Giant hammer?

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
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Well, as a few of you know, I've got my 100# LG all torn down for a complete rebuild.

I got the order all squared away with Sid, and hopefully I'll be able to get the hammer all put back together in the next few weeks.

I paint nearly everything in my shop with Hammerite and Rustoleum Hammered Finish paint. It's tough and pretty cheap (relatively speaking).

Since I've got the hammer torn down and it's going to have to stand up to a regular bath of oil... I'm wondering what the best paint would be. I've been reading up on machine equipment paint, and it sure sounds like a good option. But it could cost a couple hundred bucks for paint.

Any thoughts? If you've got experience with the hammers or with painting hard use tools like mills, lathes, tractors, etc... I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)

Thanks!
 
Thanks Rusty! :) You talking about something like Val-Spar Tractor enamel? I've read you can buy it in a can and add a catalyst for curing. That might be the way to go... plus it's pretty cheap.

Forgot to mention I really don't WANT to spend a bunch of money on paint, but if I'm going to do this, I want it to look nice and show the pride I take in my tools/work.
 
17 coats of handrubbed red lacquer. ;)

Just kidding. Does this application need something that will withstand high temps?
 
Nick, don't think the difference in paints will make as much difference as the preparation, on the equipment we rebuild in our shop, I usually sand blast first, then apply good quality primer and paint. If the equipment is for resale, I will have it powder coated after the sand blasting. Don't know what sizes you are dealing with, but if there is a powder coater in your town, you might want to talk to him, the finish is hard and will not chip or come off. For instance, my powder coater does outdoor tables and the legs for several prisons. Hard stuff and hard to damage. A machine that is 2' x 2' x 8' long will usually cost me about 150 to 200 to powder coat.

Good Luck on your hammer,
Jim
 
Not so much on the high temps. The main heat will be in the un-coated dies. The scale will pop off, but most of it falls on the floor. The biggest thing is all the oil/grease that will be slathered on the hammer.

It had a couple coats of crappy paint on it already. Little Giant's lead based green paint (think John Deere green) is still underneath in some spots.

Green would be classic... but I'm thinking gray or blue. Or fluorescent orange! ;) j/k
 
Thanks guys! :)

Jim, I would sure like to get it power coated, that would be the cat's meow, but unfortunately it's a real bear-cat to move since I don't have a hyster.
 
bluejaunte said:
17 coats of handrubbed red lacquer. ;)

Just kidding. Does this application need something that will withstand high temps?
Click to expand...
DON"T tell him that, even as a joke. He will probably try it!!!!:D
 
I think that "grease/oil" is the best paint for a Little Giant!

I was gona make a comment about since it's Nick....maybe powder pink? OH! That would have been too harsh. :p

I've tried painting several of the hammers I've owned, and although they looked good starting out, within a month or so you couldn't tell what color they were anyway.
 
Not that I know for sure but what about the epoxy paints for garage floor applications? Seems like it would be a tough finish.
 
I wondered about that too Will.

There's some good threads on Practical Machinist about painting equipment... some of those guys are tool restoration pro's.

Problem is just like Ed mentioned... it will probably just look black after a few months anyway.

I can't tell you how much oil/grease/crud I've taken off of it already, and it's still not clean enough for paint. Mostly I'd like it all to be the same color so it doesn't look all mis-match hodge-podge like it did.... 5 shades of gray, red motor mount, tan motor... etc. :)

This stuff looks awesome... but SPENDY!

http://www.por15.com/HARDNOSE-PAINT/productinfo/HNGB/

This is Val-Spar's agricultural paint... like Rusty recommended. This is probably a really solid option.

http://www.valsparglobal.com/val/resident/valspar_imp.jsp

Don... Sid told me that your 100# is actually a beautiful dark purple finger nail polish finish.... it just looks black in your shop tour! :p :D Jk.... but we did talk a little about your fancy smancy, customized 140# hammer (jack ass! :D ;) :foot: ).
 
I dunno how much you want to spend. That epoxy paint is tough stuff, we have it on the floors in my area of the plant and it takes a beating from car tires. Oil wipes off easily enough, it will chip and crack if not installed properly though and I wonder how big a pain it would be to apply to vertical pieces of equipment.
 
I don't have a power hammer, but I'd use Hammerite. Very tough, soaks through and eliminates rust, and the name is fitting. Also, the finish that hammerite has is really attractive. Comes in several basic colors: red, black, silver, white, etc...

We painted the bed of my Dad's truck with it about 15 years ago and it's still going strong. Good paint.

Comes in brush-on by the gallon or pint, and in aerosol cans. Most True Value and Ace hardware stores can order it if they don't already carry it.

Good luck.
 
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