I started to buy some paint today for a Hardinge TFB we are restoring. Since I had some hardener and reducer I wanted the paint to match. I had Hardinge's paint color number G-7 from Sherwin-Williams so that is where I started. I knew the local "residential" paint store couldn't help me so I called the "industrial" S-W store. They couldn't use the paint code I had so I called Hardinge. They said G-7 was an internal number and gave me a much longer number. I then called the "industrial" S-W store back, where I was informed that I needed to talk to the "chemical" S-W store. They couldn't help me but suggested part of my paint code number "might" be a store number. They found the phone number for the store in Elmira, NY and I called them. No, they didn't make paint for Hardinge, the "chemical" S-W store in Rochester did. I then called Rochester, NY to learn they were the only source in the world for Hardinge paint. Yes, I could buy a gallon of their paint for $90.00, a quart of hardener for $50.00 and shipping would be $30.00. Whoa! $170.00 for just the paint on a lathe is way too much. No, they could not supply another store or anyone for that matter with a color formula. Only they could make the paint. I called the "automotive" S-W store and yes, they could make the paint that matched my hardener and reducer. I swung by with a small part for a color sample and the two quarts will be ready tomorrow and probably they can deliver it. I am pretty sure catalyized polyurethane will hold up to the cutting fluids a TFB will see though I know it wouldn't hold up to spray synthetic water based coolant. No wonder it takes so long to get a machine painted. It took two hours of phone calls just to order the paint. BTW, we are getting some very nice looking paint jobs with Rust-O-Leum marine enamel. It dries pretty fast, for an enamel, and has a great gloss. Price was right too at $5.00 a quart from the local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Durabilty is an unknown but since we are painting drill press and a huge Famco arbor press it probably won't be an issue. These seldom see coolants. Leigh@MarMachine
- posted
18 years ago