Tubes Asylum

RE: Citation II restoration update

71.231.196.197

mr9iron

In Reply to: RE: Citation II restoration update posted by painter27 on October 18, 2014 at 17:19:50

Painter,

Search for my previous posts, I recently explained this, though it may take some visuals to fully understand..but you should get the basics..

J

Follow Ups:

Paint and Lettering - Triode_Kingdom 22:55:03 10/22/14 (1)
I read your earlier description of this, and I was really astounded by the time and effort you've spent getting it exactly the way you wanted. It occurred to me that you might have been able to have the chassis silkscreened for a similar cost, but I'm sure you looked into that. Personally, I hate this sort of work. After researching much of it myself a number of years ago, I decided as part of my homebrew efforts that I would buy a small CNC mill for chassis work. It serves double duty for engraving, so that's how I do all my lettering now. You certainly have my respect for the HVLP work, and I can only imagine how long it took to get the formula exactly right. Like you say, the DIY spray environment requires that one be prepared to sand and polish out the flaws later, but that only works if the final coat is semi-respectable as-is. In my case, because of my aversion to paint, I set up a DIY anodizing system. I only do clear (no dye), but that's worked well so far to produce quality satin/brushed aluminum millwork that should last several decades. Anyway, congrats on your progress so far. I fully understand the pain and patience involved. Can't wait to see the final product!

--------------------------
Buy Chinese. Bury freedom.
- RE: Paint and Lettering - mr9iron 23:27:25 10/22/14 (0)
  Yes, you are correct on all fronts, I cannot really describe the pain staking effort it takes..
  
  Many people have questioned me about silk screen. Here is the problem(s)..and I worked in a silk screen shop for a period of time..
  
  Silk screen is a process meant for multiple numbers, you need to run at least 50 units to even be worth it, more like 100's to really make it beneficial. You would not spend hundreds of dollars to make a set up and test it's alignment only having one unit. A shop would be scratching their heads at this. To make silk screen is a complex and multiple stage process, they are not permanent stencils, then they need to be washed and discarded after your run, and new ones made. It is not intended for one- offs.
  
  Now if you can CNC out a dozen or so chassis, and leave them in a flat state before bending, then yes now it is viable.
  
  There is no home brew system that will get you good silk screen results bar some t-shirt kits. The UV curing tables and multi-thousand dollar screening gear, inks, and chemicals cost thousands. You cannot do this in your garage. Now you have to depend on another party to understand what you are trying to accomplish and what exactly this thing is.. Once it's out of your control, chances are a silk screen shop does not know what a Citation II is..you are headed for disappointing results. At least wiht my difficult system I control everything..
  
  If the object being screened is not a flat panel you are screwed, the squeegee will leak 90% of the time.. the chassis are already folded less than perfect 3 sided surfaces with the back panel so small there is no aspace for an ink well to even start. You'd have to build another holding jig or mechanism for this.. super complex..
  
  I predict on the horizon that the direct print to metal CNC printers, which can fit on a small table, will some day be affordable, and then we are in business, this is truly the cats meow for doing projects like this...right now at about 30K but just like 3D printing they will go down..
  
  So such is the painful process that I have... for many years I researched and experimented, as flawed and spendy as it is, it's still the best method for low number one offs or custom work..
  
  J

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