Refurbish help

[RicP]

That looks really good what you have done.  I just purchased a smimular one, what type/brand of paint did you use.  Mine is in need of some TLC. 

[Box3351]

  I use Krylon Industrial "Rust Tough". The color # is R00639, and the name is "OSHA RED".
The SKU # is:  24504 00639.

[BCFDFOTOMAN128]

I have a question I purchased a 1924 patent date Gamewell Peerless box off of Ebay. Well I need to refurbish it. I want to sandblast it , will it damage the metal, I believe it says it`s made of herculite or alumalite or something like that, does anyone think that sandblasting it will damage it or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.  JIMMY LONG/ FOTOMAN 128/ FIREBOX 7-3/ ESSEX, MD

[paulbalentine]

Jimmy, you should be alright to sandblast it, the 1924 patent boxes were made of heavy cast iron until 1926 or thereabouts, anything after this year was herculite, which is an aluminum alloy proprietary to Gamewell, either way you can sandblast these two metals,  Once you get the box you'll know whether its Iron or Herculite,  cause the Herculite is 1/3 the weight of Iron. Good luck and hope this helps.

[Box3351]

Hi Jim:
  IMHO, the only thing I would trust sandblasting to would be Cast Iron.
I have found that paint remover, emery cloth, wire wheels (both circular and cup shaped) Bondo and lots of elbow grease does wonders.
  Yes, it's messy and dirty, but the pride of the work that I did cannot be bought.
Good luck,
Tom

[gls24]

I agree with NOT sandblasting Herculite.  I know in other threads it has been mentioned that it can be done - I wouldn't.  When you use paint remover to clean the Herculite, you'll find the Herculite (at least the Herculite I've seen) has a very smooth surface.  I'd be concerned that the sandblasting would mar that smoothness.  I've restored in excess of 45 Gamewell boxes - almost all of them with Zar paint stripper.  I have only sandblasted 2 or 3 cast iron boxes that Gamewell had primed with something that was next-to-impossible for Zar to remove.  I don't own a sandblaster and to pay to have those boxes cleaned cost more than the paint stripper (which isn't cheap either!).  Just MY opinion.......

[dwagner825]

I would agree on sand blasting.  I restore at least twenty boxes and pedestals a year.  I go to an industrial blaster for all my cast iron pieces except for the doors.  I find that they warp under the intense heat created by the blasting.  I save those and all aluminum pieces for my home cabinet that I regulate the pressure and time spent on each piece as to not over heat it.  As far as cost goes I have a great relationship with the group I deal with  he does single boxes for $25 and boxes and pedestals for $50.  Well worth my time and effort.

[paulbalentine]

haha...jeez....poor guy isn't going to know what the heck to do with his fire alarm box!!!!!