Paint & Plating Finish

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Gannet
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Location: Cirencester

Paint & Plating Finish

Post by Gannet »

I am trying to restore my early 40 Minus and want to know what is the original (or best) paint finish on the aluminium parts. Is Hammerite Silver on a chromate primer suitable? Or is a 'plain' silver better?
Thanks.
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charlesp
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by charlesp »

An early forty minus wasn't painted at all, except the block which was black.

The gearbox, water pump housing and propellor were all bare alloy, polished but not to the gleaming chrome-like finish of an American restoration.

Hammerite Silver (smooth) is a very good match for later silver painted components.
Gannet
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by Gannet »

Thank you very much for that information. It certainly makes it simple. I presume this includes the flywheel?
I fogot to ask about the plating of fasteners ie 1.The dome nut on top of the flywheel. 2. Sundry nuts and bolts.
Also the outer drive shaft tube. Is this chrome (on copper and nickel ?)?
Thanks
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charlesp
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by charlesp »

The flywheel - Villiers - was polished, it had a sort of engine turned appearance.

The driveshaft tube and the exhaust were chrome plated. The nut on the top of the magneto sort of depends. There are different types, and I believe yours would have been the flatter brass one. That was plated, but I don't know what it was plated with!
Gannet
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by Gannet »

Thanks for that.
I didn't realise that the exhaust tube was chrome plated. Should the base material of my early 40 minus be aluminium?
Also is the base material of the drive shaft tube steel?
Thanks
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charlesp
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by charlesp »

The base material of your early Forty Minus drive shaft tube is indeed steel. That of the exhaust was brass. The aluminium ones came later in the sixties.

What's the serial of your motor?
Gannet
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by Gannet »

SJM832
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charlesp
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by charlesp »

Yes that's an early one, and therefore should have a chrome plated brass exhaust. Does yours have:

A silver painted steel float chamber bowl?

A welded steel tiller arm base with brass arm on a short (vestigial) attachment lug?

Round water inlet holes in the water pump housing?

Four blade clover leaf prop?
Gannet
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by Gannet »

1. Steel float chamber bowl. I have recently cleaned it and varnished it. I don't think there was any paint on it, but i cannot be sure. It looks to me as it has been (cadmium?) plated. Certainly there was no rust on the outside.
2.The cast arm to which the tiller is attached is a one piece casting integral with the lower crankcase, which on the stb side has the ident stamps. The tiller is attached to the casting by a single steel threaded stud.
3.The forward facing water inlet holes are rectangular.
4. The 4 prop blades are nearly rectangular - it does'nt look 'clover leaf' to me. The dia is about 6 inches.

It sounds from your questions that you are very knowledgable on these Seagulls.
It would be no surprise to me to know that the easily detachable parts, such as the tubes, gearbox, prop have been changed. It would be a very surprising if they hadn't been sometime over the last half century.
Thanks for your help.
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Oyster 49
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by Oyster 49 »

It sounds from your questions that you are very knowledgable on these Seagulls.
Fame and recognition at last Charles :D money cars, women etc. to follow 8)

I have earlier today picked up a very original 40 minus SJM218 which has all the features mentioned above. Nice little engines :D It also has the "In the world" magneto cover.
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woodbutchergraham
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Location: Grimsby

Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by woodbutchergraham »

Your flocks still growing then Adrian, Bang on some more photos let’s see your next project. I have to hand it to you seems like you have definitely been bitten by this Seagull restoration bug. PM
Life is what you make it, and what you make could change your life.
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charlesp
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by charlesp »

John knows of No 1, still a runner...

Oh, and the women, money, cars etc - bored with them...
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Charles uk
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Re: Paint & Plating Finish

Post by Charles uk »

I have a number 1 of a much later model & I've seen another one somewhere, just have to remember who had it.
Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.
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