Refurbishing a Nathan K3LA

blackbaud · **Posted:** Thu May 28, 2009 9:42 pm

My second horn needs some TLC.

Has anyone got tips on how best to remove the paint (without using a chemical stripper) on the bells?

Also when all is said and done, what paints work best on this aluminum?

blackbaud

SteamPWR · **Joined:** Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:01 pm **Posts:** 52

I would still use paint stripper and then pressure wash them. Depends on the paint thats on them, it could blast right off. The other option is to glass bead them. Either way works. I try to get the paint off, then i always glass bead mine before painting.

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Thu May 28, 2009 10:13 pm

Our horn-guy at IRM uses a sandblasting cabinet, with plastic blasting media (NOT glassbeads, NOT sand).

Jeff

blackbaud · **Posted:** Thu May 28, 2009 10:37 pm

Two slightly differing opinions have been presented. Have either of you got photos of the results of each process? i do appreciate the help so far. This is probably the best kept secret on the net for Preservationists.

blackbaud

Schuylkill Valley · **Posted:** Thu May 28, 2009 10:58 pm

You should get in touch with Ed K. he rebuilds air horns. heres his web site.
http://www.dieselairhorns.com

Len

Nova55 · **Joined:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:09 pm **Posts:** 597

Check out: http://www.hornwhistleboard.com/

Any and everything you will ever need to know.

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Fri May 29, 2009 2:27 am

I don't know how serious you want to get, but we just had a thread on CO2 blasting
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=27516

and another on good metal primers.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=27525

blackbaud · **Posted:** Fri May 29, 2009 3:26 pm

CO2 is a little beyond what I was looking to do here.

Does anyone have any idea what hardware these horns were meant to use? I'm looking to move over from steel to stainless steel as Nathan has done in all recent production but I cannot get a straight answer from anyone.

SteamPWR · **Joined:** Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:01 pm **Posts:** 52

Like i said i use glassbeads.........works very well. I use that for my own collection and i also do all the work on the horns at work. Glass will not harm them. I will try to get some pics for you in the next day or to.

SteamPWR · **Joined:** Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:01 pm **Posts:** 52

I use stainless hardware on all the horns i rebuild.