Vise restoration question

[R_Holiday]

Hey guys. When restoring a vintage vise is it best to paint it or powder coat them? I have a powder coat machine which I’ve used to coat the calipers for my cars. Powder coat is definitely better for durability but is it really worth the effort for a vise. Thanks for the help

 

[ZRX61]

I use rattle cans, usually Rustoleum.

 

[R_Holiday]

I use rattle cans, usually Rustoleum.

How’s the durability? I used high temp spray paint on my calipers initially but hated how easily it came off if the wrench or ratchet handle hit it. That’s why I powder coated them. Just curious

 

[matt_i]

I've had a lot of success this year with Rustoleum enamel and add the Tractor Supply Majic hardener. Even have it on a section of steel floor plate that gets walked on every time I'm in the shop.

On the latter I primed first, then painted. Just using the HF purple spray gun painting outdoors when its warm enough.

 

[R_Holiday]

I've had a lot of success this year with Rustoleum enamel and add the Tractor Supply Majic hardener. Even have it on a section of steel floor plate that gets walked on every time I'm in the shop.

On the latter I primed first, then painted. Just using the HF purple spray gun painting outdoors when its warm enough.

I’ll have to check out that Majic hardener. There’s a tractor supply not too far from me. Thanks for the tip

 

[ZRX61]

How’s the durability?

It's fine for a vise, they get kinda beat up anyway

 

[Packard V8]

The way I see it, a vise is where the work meets the workpiece; grinding, sawing, welding, bending, pipe threading, et al. The last thing I want to worry about is knocking a ding in a beautiful painted or powder coated finish.

I've owned and used vises for sixty years. At present, there are a dozen in four shops. None have ever been painted or ever will be.

Your vise, your time and money, your decision.

jack vines

 

[R_Holiday]

I know the purpose of a vise is to be abused essentially but I do like for things to look good. My current garage isn’t much to look at but my next one I want to have a look that surprises people when they find out all the work that occurs because of how it looks. I do appreciate all the comments. It’s helping with the decision for sure.

 

[chrisnazzy]

I've always wanted to try powdercoating a vise and I'm sure someday I will.

Over the last few years I've used rattle can primer, paint and clearcoat to refurbish a bunch of vintage vises with no issues.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[jonshonda]

I would be really surprised if powder coating would work based on the texture and material mass of a typical vise. You would have to turn the juice up pretty far to get the powder to stick.

 

[R_Holiday]

I would be really surprised if powder coating would work based on the texture and material mass of a typical vise. You would have to turn the juice up pretty far to get the powder to stick.

I have a couple so perhaps I’ll try with one of the smaller ones and see how it comes out.

 

[CudaChick1968]

I would be really surprised if powder coating would work based on the texture and material mass of a typical vise. You would have to turn the juice up pretty far to get the powder to stick.

To the contrary, cast iron turns out beautifully if you know what you're doing and prep it right. My new phone is scant on pics right now but here's one example.

 

[jonshonda]

To the contrary, cast iron turns out beautifully if you know what you're doing and prep it right. My new phone is scant on pics right now but here's one example.

That does look nice, but it's mass is not even 1/10th of what a vise could be. Not at all doubting it can be done, but something the size of a large vise isn't likely going to be a "hey look what I did on my very first try" type of project.

 

[macgee]

Hey guys. When restoring a vintage vise is it best to paint it or powder coat them? I have a powder coat machine which I’ve used to coat the calipers for my cars. Powder coat is definitely better for durability but is it really worth the effort for a vise. Thanks for the help

I say powder coat it, doing a proper paint job using a rattle can is probably more work (a proper job version). The value of the vise to you is also a factor.

I've done a ton of vise restoration and paint prep is the most time consuming of a restoration but also worth it when done properly so you might as well do a powder coat. Rattle can durability only goes so far and not that great especially if you don't leave it alone untouched (14+++ days-weeks) to cure hard properly which most people don't do.

Rattle can paint job.

 

[Shiftless]

macgee:
That bullet and that FPU are absolutely stunning!
You’ve set the bar for rattle can painting pretty darn high.

 

[macgee]

macgee:
That bullet and that FPU are absolutely stunning!
You’ve set the bar for rattle can painting pretty darn high.

Thanks Shiftless!

 

[CudaChick1968]

Wow, that's gorgeous!! You have much to be proud of sir.

That does look nice, but it's mass is not even 1/10th of what a vise could be. Not at all doubting it can be done, but something the size of a large vise isn't likely going to be a "hey look what I did on my very first try" type of project.

Aside from pot metal (which usually means more air bubbles the thicker the piece), the only impact a part's mass has is how long it takes to cure and making sure your hanger is strong enough to hold it without touching powder.

I don't recommend any rookie to the hobby trying it on anything important. The mechanics of it are easy but getting good takes practice just like with everything.

 

[macgee]

Wow, that's gorgeous!! You have much to be proud of sir.


Aside from pot metal (which usually means more air bubbles the thicker the piece), the only impact a part's mass has is how long it takes to cure and making sure your hanger is strong enough to hold it without touching powder.

I don't recommend any rookie to the hobby trying it on anything important. The mechanics of it are easy but getting good takes practice just like with everything.

Thank you Leanna for the compliment,

Question, what would it entail to powedercoat a vise? Aside from the basic knowledge of powder coating. The weight of a cast iron vise is an issue? Does the mass really matter? Anything else?

The reason for the question is when wanting to do a nice vise restoration and then painting it properly (making it worthy), the amount of time and effort taping everything off, setting up a jig/table to hold the vise to allow proper access around all of the surfaces is a lot of work and time. And since rattle can paint is seriously not that great in durability, your vise can look beat fairly quickly with all the scratches and chips because its so soft so its kind of defeating to do all of that work. On top of that, rattelcan paint jobs can easily go south pretty quickly, every time is different and luck of the draw (better to be lucky than good).

I could see powder coating a worthwhile thing/exprense to do and a vise maybe being a good candidate ? because of how durable and long lasting a powdercoat can be? Thanks

 

[D-train]

I always point out to people that when I called Rust Oleum... They told me that cure times to completely cure on their oil based paint is forty-five days.

Mark