Paint or not to paint

[jselden78]

So, it’s taken more than 2 years but the final piece was received today. I started probably 2 years ago maybe more not knowing where this would lead and now I’m at one of the final stages. I have 2 C-72 from my great grandfather. One I repaired and it runs like new today (took awhile on that one too). The other I decided I would do a complete restore with all new internals. Along the way I would run across a part here and a part there NOS that seemed to be hard to come by so I would snatch them up. That then lead to me saying well I only need these parts or this part. Long story short I now have a complete NOS C-72....in boxes. My dilemma now is, there is about 4 different shades of red. I believe I will have it blasted and painted so it’s all the same shade just thought I would get opinions.

[ronaldt]

I would definitely paint it. The different miss matched colors would drive my crazy. Maybe leave one original and paint the other?

[jselden78]

Feb 19, 2020 12:45:42 GMT -5 ronaldt said:

I would definitely paint it. The different miss matched colors would drive my crazy. Maybe leave one original and paint the other?

I completely agree it would drive me crazy and look bad. I believe I’m holding myself to a strict definition of NOS though lol

[bit]

Feb 19, 2020 12:45:42 GMT -5 ronaldt said:

I would definitely paint it. The different miss matched colors would drive my crazy. 

Ditto.  Paint it! 

[onlyhomelites]

Gotta agree, go with the paint!

[scotts2000]

I am the odd one here but if they were all used parts I'd say paint for sure.. the fact it's all now parts I think is neat.. saws built completely from nos are unique. I have a couple I'd like to build this way.. anyone have some done like this ?

[xl130]

I rebuilt a Super XL-130. It about 90% NOS parts. I didn’t repaint. It turned out pretty good. At least I think it did...Just need to put some decals on it. It’s a bit of a Frankenstein saw...but I still like it! Definitely not traditional restoration job. It would definitely gets some confused looks if you’re trying to figure out what it is.

[stillsawing]

I have yet to take on painting or putting together a shelf queen. Not that I can't appreciate the nice looking paint jobs, I respect the talents that gets it done. I think back when I was buying new homelite saws, it never stopped me from putting them to work. Today isn't any different, shiny paint wouldn't change my mind. Like firearms, a new finish can be reapplied.  So my thought is to restore the saw, paint and all, then go use it as was intended. Repeat if necessary. 

[smokenfire76]

I say paint it unless you like the Frankenstein color look

[tjthechainsawmech]

I say if ya got 2 models then paint one fer sure.

[jselden78]

its only one model but some of the NOS parts spanned over enough years that they have a different shade of red to them. I've found it hard to even think about blasting an NOS part but due to the rona shutdown I do believe these NOS parts will soon meet aluminum oxide.

[Brennan]

Personally I would leave them all in original finish. Having a saw that is entirely unique and hand built by yourself would be a really cool story to tell. However I do see the draw of having a perfect saw with not a gouge on it.