Compressor tag over spray cleanup suggestions

[bored350]

I've inherited an old Quincy compressor, that needs to be gone through before using. At some point it was painted poorly and the compressor and motor placards have paint on them. What's the best way to remove that layer of green paint without damaging any painted info below? Some pics attached for reference.

Also open to any feedback on this particular unit. I don't have 3 phase power and presume I'll need some kind of phase converter to get it running.

 

[PWC Repair]

Try some NON flammable brake parts cleaner. I've found it doesn't flash off nearly as quick as carb cleaner and not NEAR as hard on painted surfaces. You can rub off a little at a time without worrying much about the underlying surface.

 

[BillK]

I've inherited an old Quincy compressor, that needs to be gone through before using.

Also open to any feedback on this particular unit. I don't have 3 phase power and presume I'll need some kind of phase converter to get it running.

Here is my honest opinion and I actually have an almost identical compressor at my shop. I would do one of two things:
1. If you are attached to it and want to keep it i would sell the 3 phase motor and buy a single phase one to replace it. Simple and done with.
2. If you are not attached to it I would sell the whole thing and just buy a new single phase compressor.

By the time you "go through it" and buy a big enough phase converter you will be way ahead of the game with one of the two options above. If you are just going to be using it for home/hobby use its way more than you will ever need anyway.

Theres my opinion,

 

[wssix99]

Use water and a ScotchBrite pad. Elbow grease should get it off. If you use a chemical, it will probably take the markings off the plate. Start on the non-printed areas and then find the right amount of pressure you need to apply to get the paint off.

 

[bored350]

Thanks everyone. I likely wont get this moved from its current home for a few weeks.

I'll start with the water and Scotch Bright and work my way along from there. I'd really like to keep the face-plate intact as much as possible.

As for the motor and pump for that matter, I'm not attached to the motor but overall am to the unit and I absolutely need its capacity. When I said "gone through" I'll clarify that it has been sitting for a year so clean up and routine maintenance like air filters, belts and oil change are on the list in addition to an external cleaning. It also doesn't have a shroud so I'd like to remedy that as well. The previous owner maintained it and drained the tank meticulously and it hasn't skipped a beat. It will be supporting a large blast cabinet and long/high duty cycles. My current 2 stage 5HP 80 Gal. IR unit is just not quite getting it done, even with an 80 gallon reserve tank added on and I really need to be able to increase the nozzle size for an upcoming project this fall.
While I'm not a repair shop, I'm far from a hobbyist either. More like a prosumer?


PWC, do you limit your work to just jet skis or or do you also work on jet boats? Uncle is looking at picking this up: https://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/d/high-ridge-17ft-northland-jet-boat-and/7937557449.html

 

[PWC Repair]

PWC, do you limit your work to just jet skis or or do you also work on jet boats? Uncle is looking at picking this up: https://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/d/high-ridge-17ft-northland-jet-boat-and/7937557449.html

I only work on jet skis AND the Yamaha and Seadoo jet boats that have jet ski engines. You gotta watch those others, some of them came with oddball engine or pump setups that are almost impossible to find parts for.

 

[wssix99]

BTW - Not all Scotch Brites are equal. If what you have is too aggressive and scratches the name plate, you can get finer pads. (I did this plan with a gas meter that the gas company hung on the front of my house, to make it look nice, and it did a great job.)

Uncle is looking at picking this up: https://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/d/high-ridge-17ft-northland-jet-boat-and/7937557449.html

^ This is rough. (I've seen a ton of problems with '90s boats from running on pump gas w/ ethanol. This boat may have had a similar fate.) I would talk this offer down a few hundred, tow the boat to the dump, push it off and then go sell the trailer for a profit.