The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Hammertone paint additive needed

I have a '41 Suburban that I'm going to restore and am buying up parts for. I have 4 original underdash radio's, (one can't have too many spare parts), one of which I had restored and new plating put on the bezel. The original bronze/brown color is not going to be a problem to match. What do you add to the paint to give it the hammertone appearance as original? If there is such an additive available, is it used with lacquers or enamels or both? I don't want to use the spray paints that are out there because they are not an exact color match. It appears the dash on this vehicle has a hammertone finish as well, just not as pronounced, so I believe I'll need it for that as well when the time comes.

DDAUTOPARTS

For some reason I want to think Eastwood offered this paint in a can. (not a spray can) It could be sprayed in a conventional gun or perhaps, since your not painting much, you could use an airbrush gun. It may be worth checking out Eastwood???

Just a thought...could you use the spray can Hammered paint in shade close, let it cure a good week or so an then paint over it with the desired color ?? ..you would get the effect needed.
never tried it just thinkin.
Tim

I have heard of people spraying WD-40 (on the HAMB) over paint when it is wet to get a hammered appearance. I would have to try it myself first prior to endorsing it. Sherwin Williams has a line of paints called Dimenso that offers a hammered appearance.

Im sure some auto paint shops should be able to get the real stuff in spray cans. The stuff I had some years back was called 'Hammarite' I believe, came in several colors.

the hammerite brand is still availble and i know of 3 colors that are available black, silver, and a blue, there are probably more, but the ace that I get mine at doesn`t stock it
MikeB

Tcpglobal handles about all of the Hammerite line.
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/hamrustcap.aspx?gclid=COGRn-D5jpcCFQJ-xgodHnxifg

And the Rustoleum line.
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autobodydepot/hamrustcap.aspx?gclid=COGRn-D5jpcCFQJ-xgodHnxifg

Between the two they cover a lot of shades that come pretty close to an original finish. Chips are available on the above sites also.

Hey Jim, thanks for the work you did on the AC filters, very interesting about the most comprehensive article that I’ve ever seen on the subject. I’ve added it to my reference library. I’d sure like to hear a little bit of history on the AC Company such as who they were and where they came from and when GM acquired them.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I've painted several pieces of mill machinery that I have made with Hammerite. I don't know its chemical makeup, but I'll bet it has a Kryptonite base, as it's the hardest, most durable paint you can find...even out of a pee can!

Stuart

I appreciate everyone's comments on the Hammerite and Sherwin Williams paints. Unfortunately I've tried them all and the colors are not close. I've also tried using the Hammerite and painting the correct color over it (both cured and wet) and it doesn't come out right. (As an aside from this, this technique does work great on wrinkle finishes though) I've talked to the local paint store which has been a Dupont distributor since the '50's and they don't have anything to replicate the finish. Induron industrial paints has a plant here that makes custom colors and I've come up blank there too. Hammerite won't give any trade secrets, so I drew a blank there too. Eventually someone will have the answer. To the person who recommended the WD-40 method, I will give it a try.

I appreciate the comment on the AC oil filter article I wrote. Peggy Millman is in the process of putting it on the Stovebolt site.

Pat Doonan

Denny, there was an article in the Old Cars Weekly not to long ago about the AC plugs. IF my memory is correct I think the AC stood for Allis Chalmers....or some other guy named Chalmers. It also listed when GM purchased it but If forgot.
I wiah I hadn't gave that article away!!

EDIT: OOOOOK, a nice fellowbolter just "clued me in"... I am incorrect. It was Albert Champion and NOT Allis Chalmers.

EDIT AGAIN: Here's the story as told to me.
In 1878 Albert Champion was born in France. He was an avid race fan, and began competing in bicycle and motorcycle races. Shortly after the advent of the automobile, he gained an interest in auto mechanics and automobile racing. At that time, most spark plugs were imported from France, and were very expensive. Seeing a need for more spark plug manufacturers, Champion, along with W.C. Durant (who later became president of General Motors) opened the "Champion Ignition Company" (later to become Champion Spark Plug Company), a shop that manufactured spark plugs and magnetos for the fledgling auto industry. In 1905 a falling out between himself and his investors left Champion without a company, or a name, as the investors were allowed to keep the Champion name. A new company was formed and incorporated in October of 1908 with the backing of the Buick Motor Co., and renamed it the "AC Spark Plug Company", hence his initials are what the "AC" means. (AC = Albert Champion). On October 27, 1927 Albert Champion died, and General Motors acquired 100% interest in the AC Spark Plug Company through the purchase of the remaining stock held by his estate.

I'd give the proper person credit but he may want to remain unknown.
Thanks...now we have the rest of the story.

I'm not sure if this will work, but you might try adding a little silicone to your paint before you spray it. It probably depends on the paint chemistry but I think hammerite paint looks like it has really bad fisheye, so maybe if you add silicone and play with the nozzle pattern you can come up with something close.