wilton vise restoration

[wood butcher]

I found an old vice made by wilton decided to clean it up and my question what type of paint would be best to use

 

[BIG Eric]

I have seen on other threads that the Rustoleum Hammer Tone is a good almost match to the original paint.

 

[RatchetMan]

While it will never be original again I am a fan of making it look like it did when it left the factory even if it's not a color that I prefer.

That being said, if you like fluorescent yellow, it's your vise so paint it whatever you want.

 

[borderstaff]

I sanblasted and painted the wilton bullet vise I picked up off CL for $30. I bought the vise last year and couldn't stand the black paint the PO had poorly doused it with. I used the Rustoleum Hammertone bluish grey paint and was very please with the results. I even showed my wife...she wasn't as excited as I was. The vise looks great - I should have taken a before and after pic. It spent 40 years in an appliance repair shop and who knows what before that - the keyed bar says its a 1961 vise. I'd just like to find (or even better - make) some new jaws for it. I'm a toolmaker by trade.

 

[Flathead Johnny]

im not a fan of spray paint on vises its just not durable enough however if you are looking for original wilton color the closet match is rustoleum spray paint, i have not found a store bought enamel that matches the wilton color yet. I think the origional color of wilton is muh IMO, its your vise if you want a different color thats 100% ok. When I redo my vises they are degreased, resurfaced and sanded if needed. I then apply 6 light coats of high gloss enamel paint to build it up to a thick durable finish, if you put on medium or heavy coats you will have run problems and improper curing causing cracking. A properly applied high gloss enamel finish looks great, is really durable and easy to clean

 

[wood butcher]

that looks exactly like the vice i have hope mine turns out as nice as yours

 

[Flathead Johnny]

good luck....post some pictures when done!

 

[MikeinBirmingham]

I just picked up an import beast off CL. I'm not an import fan but the size for $30 was too good to pass up. I'm in the process of building a new blast cabinet so it'll be a week or two before the restoration gets started.

(click to enlarge)

 

[spongerich]

Rustoleum Verde Green Hammertone is the closest I've found. I've yet to find anyone locally who stocks it... Amazon has it but IIRC you needed to order 2 cans.

 

[MikeinBirmingham]

OK - on to CL to find me a Wilton to work on next...

 

[wood butcher]

Mines done

 

[PugetDude]

Mines done

Great job!