Hi all just finished refurbishing my latest lamp which was red. The lamp was not too good paint wise on the tank so I decided to strip it all back and respray. I have had a lot of pleasure doing it with a very understanding wife. Merry Xmas to you all and a very happy healthy New Year.
That's now a very tidy Tilley 246b - well done, it looks great! You might consider using a fuel proof lacquer as a final layer to protect the paint. It's easy to dribble kero down the side when it's being filled or emptied.
Hello Colin. Thank you for the heads up on the lacquer. Unfortunately I used Halfords lacquer on it without giving it a thought. I will however give it plenty of time to cure before I fill it. I am hoping it will hold up if not thank you for the tip.
Hi and thank you. I usually like to polish the brass fount. This is my first attempt at spraying a tilley and would have been a little easier in the summer time. I have had to spray it in the home and was a bit of a nuisance however a bit of a learning curve.
Hello Julian. I am sure it will be fine as I had previously blown cleaned the burner out, fitted a new mantle, before stripping the lamp down for the repaint. I have cleaned the fount, cleaned the vapouriser, and replaced all the seals. I will post pictures after the lamp has cured a bit longer.
Just kidding mate, it looks a treat. (That was what the snotty little kids would ask us when we rocked up on our freshly restored motorbikes).
Thank you Colin. I am very satisfied with the finished tilley and it has been a worthwhile therapeutic pastime. Apart from the preparation involved to stop over spray and fumes in the dwelling which was due to the time of the year as it would take a lot of energy to heat my workshop for such a job. This would have been a good project for the summertime outside. Merry Xmas and a very Happy New Year.
Watch out for bugs swimming in your wet paint in the summer! There are advantages in painting this time of the year...
Hi Roger. Yes I have had my share in the summer, trying to use natural light while spraying a green board to make a model steam fairground. I was plagued with lady birds that year. My other experience was hand painting a wishing well white for our wedding and attracting every black fly in the near vicinity to attach themselves to it. On a smaller project as a tilley fount I would do on the inside of my workshop with the summer warmth and hopefully a minimum amount of insects. Thank you for your comments and wishing you a Happy New Year.
I used to have a poly-tunnel at the last house, that I used as a spray booth, and actually found its warmth a more adverse environment for bugs and whatever else was blowing in the wind. I was no longer growing food in it I might add! Not sure i can justify the addition of a poly tunnel in the garden at this new place, just for spraying fonts! All the best with your upcoming projects in the New Year. Roger.
Good Morning Roger. The poly- tunnel is a very good idea for spraying the odd project. I am sitting here now with my lamp going, I find them very relaxing and nostalgic to have the ambience of days gone by. My daughter is a beautician and has promised me her spray tanning tent cubicle when she replaces it in the New Year. All the very best to you also.
