Well, I've not been too busy... well, I have. What with studying for the ECDL Extra qualification and sourcing other learning to help me get back into work the T.I.M. and Setright's have taken a back seat.
I did get the VHT paint, and I think I posted that earlier and I have used the T-Cut... and thought it best to put some result shots up... just for good measure.
Below is the front-most panel of the Bristol Omnibus Company Setright. The paint was removed by force mostly and the "spray can variant" of Nitromors All Strip Mousse. It was a bit of a fizzer as the nozzle kept blocking, but, it did "soften" the wrinkly bits eventually. So I can't really recommend it with 100% conviction.
But, you can see that the VHT paint did a fab job of covering the plate and giving the desired effect. The only thing to remember is to apply it like you've got loads to spare and give it a good covering as if you go too light it will not give the wrinkle that is desired, it will flatten and annoy you. I know, this had two light coats and then one sod you, get bloody wet, coat... worked a treat :o) And, the wrinkling you get is shown below.
When it dried like this I was more than happy.... I forgot to add that I did lay a coat of metal primer underneath, but a light coat as it seemed to not "dry" properly. Anyway... onward.
Thanks to a tip via one helpful chap, I obtained some T-Cut polisher/cutting compound. Having removed the part of the Setright that doesn't leave you with a mass of parts, I attacked it with 1000 grit wet and dry, got black fingers and then with the high speed brushes on the Dremel and... finally a gentle and effective job with the T-Cut... this is the end result. I will endeavour to treat the rest of the brightwork the same as I want the Bristol unit to look pristine on the new Setright mount (with leather strap) I found on a certain "you can get it here" website. :o)
So, after a while sanding and polishing, and making the spare room smell like an engineering workshop this happened. The scratches are still there, the edges a bit rounded, but it will look great once finished. My last thought would be a coat of clear varnish on the brights and a satin varnish on the black. The four holes you see around the edges are from security bars that were attached to stop the conductors fiddling the counters! I am hoping to have it ready to lug down to the Vintage Bus gathering that usually happens in May down at the Harbour here in Bristol... might even pop a few tickets out for the kiddies :o) We shall see!
So, that's about it for now... oh, I did paint the roll container with a hammered metal paint, but it's not come up to my expectation, but I might just let it roll (no pun intended)... it's not hammered enough... too much paint?
Cheers and thanks for taking the time to have a wander through my ramblings!
