Graflex.org

jpmose · Joined: 29 May 2001 Posts: 164 Location: Atlanta, GA

Does anyone know how Graflex obtained the black winkle paint finish on metal parts of the camera? Is there a procedure or paint readily available that matches the original?

For my purposes, I am looking to find something that is even close so I can touch up corners where paint has chipped off.

Any advice will help. Thanks.

_________________
Best regards,

JP Mose

RichS · Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2002 5:40 am Post subject:

Well, here's a "no help" answer...
I have no idea how Graflex did their wrinkle finish. But 30 odd years ago you could buy "wrinkle paint" in a rainbow of colors from any auto store. It was very popular in the hot rods. Basically just an enamel that dried very fast on the surface. As the rest dried underneath, the skin wrinkled. I've duplicated the effect more than once by spraying too heavy a coat of standard enamel on cars and trying to prevent a run by force drying it with a blow gun air flow across the surface. I really hate enamel paint on cars

I was going to start looking for the stuff myself soon for the same reason but have no idea if anyone still makes it. Used to come in standard spray cans. And you had limited control over the 'wrinkle' by how heavy you applied a coat. If I find it I'll let you know. If someone else knows where to get it, let us both know!

And maybe some help

After thinking "hot rod", I went to Eastwood and search their paints. Sure enough, black spray can wrinkle paint. Here's the link (if it works?)
http://www.eastwoodco.com/cgi-bin/sgsh0101.exe?&UID=2000082823211693&SKW=TSC15&FNM=20

[ This Message was edited by: RichS on 2002-03-17 21:58 ]

jdman · Joined: 13 May 2001 Posts: 302 Location: Midwest

I bought a can at an Automotive store. It takes 3 heavy coats, and looks like it is more shiny than the original finish. Takes about 24 hours to complete the wrinkle. Appears to work best on the whole part. Russ

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

I'm not sure what their secret was, I know I 'restored" an old Gray-Lab timer with the stuff and the tightness of the wrinkles varied greatly with the film coat. I put on three heavy coats where I wanted it to wrinkle the best and under the big clock face I went sparingly. Of course the best finished ended up being under the clock face! And yes it would be difficult to "touch up" just one spot.

RichS · Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2002 5:43 pm Post subject:

This got my curiosity up enough to stop in the auto store today during a quick trip to town. Right in the spray can shelf were cans of plasti-kote Wrinkle Finish Textured Spray Paint # 217 Black. So it's deffinitely still available and cost me 6.74 for one can. But spraying a small spot would be difficult. I don't know how it will work with this stuff, but we used to spray small amounts into cups (like dixie paper cups) and then brush on small areas. May not work well with the wrinkle stuff though?
I've also heard that Harley Davidson (the motorcycle folks) sells a good wrinkle paint to touch up their bikes...

jpmose · Joined: 29 May 2001 Posts: 164 Location: Atlanta, GA

Thanks for the info. I think spraying it in a cup and applying will be the way to go for me. I am only talking about a 3mm diameter on my Graflok back. That's it. I should be grateful that this is all. It seems to be VERY hard to find a Crown/Speed that doesn't have the paint finish marred. If only we knew Graflex's formula!!!!

RichS · Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2002 9:00 pm Post subject:

It worth a try, and you could always test it on something else before you paint it on the Graphic. Also, make sure you wear gloves. Not all the paint stays in the cup!

Ventilation might be a good idea too, but there are times I really miss the smell of paint & thinner

45PSS · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2002 5:47 am Post subject:

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-24 20:22 ]

bertsaunders · Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2002 8:42 pm Post subject:

The Rust-Oleum "Textured" paint works great--does take several coats to cover, for a smooth looking coat>>>it is for metal!!<<< Harden in oven at about 170 degrees for 30 minutes! Been using it for about 2 years!
Bert

RichS · Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2002 9:24 pm Post subject:

Since all the paint people are here

Does anyone know of a paint that would match the grey/silver mottled paint on a GVII? Mine could sure use some touching up...

Thanks...

jpmose · Joined: 29 May 2001 Posts: 164 Location: Atlanta, GA

My Graflex collector/restorer friend in NYC e-mailed me a response to the following question:

HAVE YOU EVER FIGURED OUT HOW TO
DUPLICATE THE GRAFLEX WRINKLE PAINT?

"It's a fine art.
Believe it or not it's the same as Krylon Black Wrinkle Paint in a can.
However! There's a tecqnique here, and many different results - often
unpredictable - can be achieved. I've done it many times and many times had
to redo it four or five times to get it right.

Graflex actually electro plated their wrinkle, but it's the same paint.

You can spray some into a cup or something and like retouching, dab some on
the affected area and SOMETIMES it blends. Without heat it can take ten minutes
to wrinkle. Sometimes it just stays glossy. The first application has to
work, layering makes it smooth."

So, maybe some of you can give this a try! Rich, I don't have any information on the silver gray hammer finish used on GVII's.

RichS · Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2002 6:25 pm Post subject:

Hmmm, I'll have to find a can of Krylon and give that a try too. From the old days, I can say that a 10 minute wrinkle is pretty fast. When we used to do dash boards, 20 to 30 minutes wasn't uncommon.

I know the GVII paint is also common, but in industry. I also remember there was a way to duplicate the effect by mixing different thinners with the paint that evaporate at different rates. Causes the hammered or fisheye effect without leaving holes in the surface. But it's been a long time...

Thanks...

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

a couple of years ago.....uh make that 15 years ago I 'restored' an old vending machine out of the 50s with a hammertone finish, I found the material at the local propaint store in aerosol cans.

Now a lot of regulations have come along since then and I can see the day when the EPA will want us to license our laquer spray guns, so it may not be available anymore.

bertsaunders · Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2002 10:41 pm Post subject:

Rich---GVII can be painted with any of the metal paints--most do not do the mottled look tho-----if the "mottled" paint is chipped or rusted, you can use Bondo to fill and dupe the look, then paint with, silver, or aluminum, colors! Be sure the paint is for metal>>(auto "block paint" really holds up)comes in many colors as well, and it can be heat hardened with out problems(I painted mine "dull Aluminum")and it looks great! Bert

RichS · Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2002 2:30 am Post subject:

From what I've heard, all petroleum based thinners and paints will be (are) outlawed and just waiting for the time to come up. Then there just won't be any use for the old spray equipment. I really doubt a latex paint would get through my old guns

The first thing I have to do is take a piece of the GVII with me to the store. I did but a silver paint, and not the brightest one by far, to touch up a Graflok back. The touched parts look like polished silver compared to the original yellowish, mottled, grey original paint. But it's better than corrosion...

Just as the wrinkle stuff, I'm not sure how the mottled paint would work on small areas either. But I'll start looking for it...

Thanks...