Restoring Vendor Plaque

Roy Vadas

Roy Vadas

Baby Seal Clubber
Silver Member
Good evening everyone.

I couldn't figure out if this should go in the Mechanics section or not, so decided to post this here.

I'm getting into the final stages of my restoration of a 1906 BBC Wellington (read that as probably only a year left as I work on her part-time.) She is absolutely my obsession :) This is the table that was given to me by our very own member Black-Balled. I play on her everyday and have her tuned ...just perfect... =)

My current fixation is the name-plaque on the headrail. I contacted the vendor that sold the table in 1935 (still active in Richmond, VA.) They made me a new (current) plaque for it, but honestly, I prefer the style and raised lettering of the original. I told my wife when I started this project that I wanted everything as original as I could accomplish with some elbow grease and imagination.

You will see that there should be a black field surrounding the raised aluminum lettering. My problem is what type of paint to use to get into the "tedious" process of doing this? I dont mind the work or time required to do this right. I do mind doing the work, only to have it flake off on me. Im sure there is someone on here that is probably an expert on exactly what I need to use :)

Pic attached. I will do a complete write-up on her one I have her dressed a bit more appropriately? :)

Regards,
~Roy
 

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A familiar looking slice of metal there, Mr.!

I couldn't have found a better Man to take my trash:eek::wink::grin:!!

Looking forward to some pics of the project, Roy.

And for the rest of the world...that table was a recreational distraction for likely thousands of Soldiers- if not more.

My understanding is that it was originally in a General's home on a military base, then moved to an Officer's Club and finally into an Enlisted-man's Club. My Wife's family then got it for free, save the cost of moving it out of the Club.

If Roy has photos of the wood where the cloth staples in, that strip looks like it has been recovered about 6786564 times. Table was pretty beat up when it left my house, but it was definitely built for it.
 
I think it would look good with gold letter's and a raw umber glaze lightly brushed out and then a good coat of laquer.
 
Heya BB!

You, Sir..will be the first to see the pics =)

Brass BBC rail bolt covers for Christmas. Only 1 more purchase after that and that will be for the base molding. The Dye-Stain was a perfect agent for giving her that deep, warm wood effect. Hmm, could've worded that differently... but oh well ;)

It has been a passion bud. Again, the generosity of your family..heh. Cant really find the words. "Thanks again" just doesn't seem to do it :grin-square:

~Roy
 
If the table is a BBC Wellington, why not put a BBC nameplate back in the table as that is what would have came with it originally? I'm a serious buyer of old nameplates and would pay fairly for you old CP Dean one.

Thanks,
Rob
 
Could you get it powder coated in black and then just polish off the high areas? Might cost a bit more but won't be half as much work and won't ever flake off.
 
Heya Rob,

I had decided to go with the Dean Nameplate for 2 reasons actually...

1. The Dean nameplate, when installed, was much larger than the BBC nameplate. 4"x2" rather than the 7 1/4 long Dean plate. There is still the original, chiseled area, for the BBC. However, there is also a shallower, longer chisel section where the Dean calls home. Putting the original BBC plate would leave a large, rectangular chiseled impression in the surrounding wood.

2. Keeping the Dean Plate, in my mind, comes from the history of the table I have been able to track. I am designing a tabloid sized poster to be displayed on the wall by the table showing this particular tables history. The nameplate adds another piece of the history I can touch, as it were.

If I were just going for everything matching, the brass BBC would be wonderful (as this plate is the only Silver thing on it.) However, the above reasons were why I chose to go this route. I had even considered having the plate "brassed." I could never find a way to process it though :(

Thanks for the question Sir :)

~Roy
 
JasBy, I actually had thought of this but cannot find anyone local. I had heard a commercial painter in Knoxville could possibly do that though.

Fine idea and I may pursue it further.

Regards,
~Roy
 
JasBy said:
Could you get it powder coated in black and then just polish off the high areas? Might cost a bit more but won't be half as much work and won't ever flake off.
Click to expand...

Powder coating should be considered permanent. That's not a problem for the background...but you'll never be able to scrape it off the lettering; not even with a hammer and chisel.

The kind of metal it's made of will determine the best painting process. Any idea what it is?
 
Heya DD,

I went to the local Stained Glass business and we did some testing on the back. Must not be tin :( We tried patinas for tin and a zinc patina and neither would work. The zinc patina turned black, but rubbed off like it was a water spill.

I havent been able to find anything local for black nickel plate, black chrome, or black zinc plate. Is this a do-at-home process or would the nameplate need to be mailed off?

I appreciate the insight.

~Roy
 
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