How to remove paint from a Quad II amp chassis - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PSValves · 18th Feb 2009, 11:32 pm

Can anyone recommend a solvent / other method I can use to remove many years old emulsion paint splats from a Quad II amp?

The chassis of both of my amps are in generally good condition, but there are a few paint spots I've been unable to remove. I'm worried about using something too powerful and damaging the good areas of paintwork.

Sean Williams · 18th Feb 2009, 11:38 pm

Use a credit card and pick them off.....

dseymo1 · 20th Feb 2009, 5:41 am

Methylated spirit will slowly soften emulsion, but leave most other paints unaffected (watch out that the purple dye doesn't stain it, though).

PSValves · 20th Feb 2009, 9:23 am

Thanks, Sean, I'll give that a try.

Failing that, I'll move up to the meths!

georgesgiralt · 28th Feb 2009, 10:52 am

Hi !
I've used successfully a spot of paint on a metal cabinet using a spray of tag remover sold in home improvement stores. As, in France, tags on walls is a PITA, these sprays are cheap and efficient.... Better to say that you need to be careful, and process when the spot is fresher than the original paint...

Nickthedentist · 28th Feb 2009, 12:55 pm

The tag remover Georg speaks of is of course, normally sold as graffiti remover here.

You could also try a bit of rubbing/cutting compound, like you'd use to buff-up new car paintwork, but do try on an invisible place too.

Nick.

GrimJosef · 28th Feb 2009, 2:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

You could also try a bit of rubbing/cutting compound, like you'd use to buff-up new car paintwork, but do try on an invisible place too.

I'd strongly support Nick's "try on an invisible place" advice. Cutting compound applied to Quad II paintwork quickly brings it to a nice glossy shine. However all the Quad IIs I've ever seen which retain their original paintwork are now not glossy. I don't know if they ever were - Quad's advertising literature does contain photos with quite distinct reflections of the valves in the paint - but if they were then they've all aged to a semi-matt finish now. Preserving this during any cleaning process (other than Sean's credit-card suggestiion, perhaps) could be tricky.

Cheers,

GJ

PSValves · 15th Mar 2009, 8:16 pm

The paint in question appears to be very old and very resistant to removal. The credit card trick didn't work at all (although it worked nicely on our laminate floor - still a good tip!). Also tried graffiti remove which wouldn't touch it either, but I noticed some of the original paint was starting to come off on the cloth, so I didn't persist with the solvent approach.

Might try some cutting compound on a hidden area (behind the badge?) to see what it's like. At the moment though, I'm thinking of leaving them as they are, warts and all. They're not in that bad condition really - I've seen much worse.

Thanks for the all the help and suggestions.

18th Feb 2009, 11:32 pm	#1
PSValves Pentode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 151	How to remove paint from a Quad II amp chassis Can anyone recommend a solvent / other method I can use to remove many years old emulsion paint splats from a Quad II amp? The chassis of both of my amps are in generally good condition, but there are a few paint spots I've been unable to remove. I'm worried about using something too powerful and damaging the good areas of paintwork.

18th Feb 2009, 11:38 pm	#2
Sean Williams Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St.Ippolyts, Hitchin, Hertfordshire QRA IO91UW Posts: 3,517	Re: How to remove paint from a Quad II amp chassis Use a credit card and pick them off..... __________________ Engineers make things work and have spare bits when finished

20th Feb 2009, 5:41 am	#3
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: How to remove paint from a Quad II amp chassis Methylated spirit will slowly soften emulsion, but leave most other paints unaffected (watch out that the purple dye doesn't stain it, though).

20th Feb 2009, 9:23 am	#4
PSValves Pentode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 151	Re: How to remove paint from a Quad II amp chassis Thanks, Sean, I'll give that a try. Failing that, I'll move up to the meths!

28th Feb 2009, 10:52 am	#5
georgesgiralt Hexode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toulouse, France Posts: 406	Re: How to remove paint from a Quad II amp chassis Hi ! I've used successfully a spot of paint on a metal cabinet using a spray of tag remover sold in home improvement stores. As, in France, tags on walls is a PITA, these sprays are cheap and efficient.... Better to say that you need to be careful, and process when the spot is fresher than the original paint...

28th Feb 2009, 12:55 pm	#6
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: How to remove paint from a Quad II amp chassis The tag remover Georg speaks of is of course, normally sold as graffiti remover here. You could also try a bit of rubbing/cutting compound, like you'd use to buff-up new car paintwork, but do try on an invisible place too. Nick.

15th Mar 2009, 8:16 pm	#8
PSValves Pentode Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 151	Re: How to remove paint from a Quad II amp chassis The paint in question appears to be very old and very resistant to removal. The credit card trick didn't work at all (although it worked nicely on our laminate floor - still a good tip!). Also tried graffiti remove which wouldn't touch it either, but I noticed some of the original paint was starting to come off on the cloth, so I didn't persist with the solvent approach. Might try some cutting compound on a hidden area (behind the badge?) to see what it's like. At the moment though, I'm thinking of leaving them as they are, warts and all. They're not in that bad condition really - I've seen much worse. Thanks for the all the help and suggestions.