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Old 12-25-2014, 11:10 AM   #1
Not George
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Default Need help with horn button restoration

I,m looking for tips on removing old paint from my horn button, and general restoration advice.
I do know that it is oriented 180 degrees out and how to take it apart.
I posted this in the Early V8 forum with some response, just looking for a few more suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
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Old 12-25-2014, 11:14 AM   #2
redmodelt
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Default Re: Need help with horn button restoration

If it's like an A, you would need to un-solder the contact on the end and bend the tabs that hold the button to the center. Ok that's my guess.
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Old 12-25-2014, 11:26 AM   #3
Bob C
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Default Re: Need help with horn button restoration

I've had good luck cleaning paint on magneto cases and caps
with baking soda and a cheap Harbor Freight sandblast gun,
makes a mess but doesn't hurt the aluminum or bakelite.

Bob
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Old 12-25-2014, 11:56 AM   #4
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Need help with horn button restoration

I had good luck at removing paint from my 1928 brown steering wheel by picking away with my small pocket knife.
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Old 12-25-2014, 12:10 PM   #5
Not George
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Default Re: Need help with horn button restoration

Thanks Bob & Tom
I think I'll try the cheap blaster with baking soda, The loose chips come off fine with a knife but I'm afraid I'll damage it where the paint is securely adhered.
Merry Christmas!
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Old 12-25-2014, 05:48 PM   #6
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Need help with horn button restoration

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It won't cost you anything but a little time to try a small pocket knife. My 50 Stude had some dirty looking lettering on the dash and knobs, but no cleaners would touch it. Last week I decided to see if I could pick the dirt out with my small Swiss Army knife. Well, it turned out to be some ugly paint that someone had put over the original nice white paint. It took me two hours to chip the ugly paint off the chrome bar and all the knobs, and it was time well spent. There are several knobs to the left that I did also, and they turned out as nice as the L and CHAMPION you see in these pictures.

I just pressed hard enough to pick off the upper layer of paint, and the nice original white stayed perfect. I did the same with the black paint someone put on my 1928 Phaeton steering wheel, and the wheel never got scratched.

BTW, that quartz clock can go because I recently bought an NOS clock for the car.
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Old 12-26-2014, 01:41 PM   #7
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Need help with horn button restoration

I wonder if the soda blast would polish the diecast? It seems like it should brighten it up some.
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Old 12-26-2014, 04:58 PM   #8
Not George
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Default Re: Need help with horn button restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
I wonder if the soda blast would polish the diecast? It seems like it should brighten it up some.
Are those buttons die cast? I thought it was bake lite.

I'll let you know if I go with the blaster.
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Old 12-26-2014, 09:55 PM   #9
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Need help with horn button restoration

I'm not familure with the V8, but I think the black button should be either hard rubber or bakelite and the metal surrounding it is diecast, isn't it?
Or is it some stamped metal?
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Old 12-27-2014, 09:23 PM   #10
nstegall
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Default Re: Need help with horn button restoration

To remove that paint, you can use Aircraft Paint Remover. It will curl it up and you can just wipe it off.

We use that on aircraft of all sizes. Quick and easy, but expensive.

You can pick up a spray can of it at Wally World. The best way to go.

Hope that is helpful to you.

Neil Stegall
THE HORN MAN
601-469-0878
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