Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

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Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby Dsmith » Fri Feb 24, 2017 5:19 am

I'm starting to restore my Mills Black Cherry back to it's original condition.

What is the preferred method to restore the mechanism to new condition?
Beadblasting? just cleaning? Sealing? Most parts are to large for my tumbler.

Thanks!
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Re: Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby SLOT DYNASTY » Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:43 am

I do not recommend Beadblasting cast iron mechanism parts, unless they are really bad & rusty, as the blasting
will remove the protective factory finish, and they will become more prone to rusting further, especially if stored
in a damp environment. You would have to paint or clearcoat those castings before assembly.
I clean mostly all my mechanism castings in an automotive cleaning-solvent tank. Then blow-air dry. If you do paint
any castings, it is 'Black only', and usually just the main base & A-frames. Most other parts, the paint would wear off
and peel in areas. And last but not least, the number one rule with mechanisms, is absolutely "NO Lubricant of any
kind, on the payout slides". I'm sure you may have heard this, but if you are a newbie in the hobby, I feel it best to
inform. Good luck with your restoration. Grace us with some pics when it is complete.
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Re: Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby Dsmith » Thu Mar 02, 2017 12:57 pm

Looking for the correct color to repaint the exterior parts. Wondering what kind of paint other restorers have used for the silver color.
Attachments
10_CENT_BLAK_CHERRY_AFTER.jpg
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Re: Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby oldslotman » Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:38 am

Rustoleum silver hammertone paint and rustoleum regal red
IMG_2311.JPG
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Re: Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby jmac » Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:56 am

Oldslotman,
That looks very nice. That looks like the original award bib. Could you tell me your process for repainting the bib?
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Re: Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby Dsmith » Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:15 pm

Thanks, that what I needed to know. Did you use a rattle can on the Silver or spray it out of a gun?

Your machine looks great!

David
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Re: Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby oldslotman » Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:17 pm

Rattle can for the silver. As for the bib, it was first painted with a semi-glass black. Let it dry for about 5 days. you then go and paint the symbols. let them dry about 5 days after the last one is painted and then finish with a clear coat. Even though it is repainted, I think they look a lot better than the repo. Takes time and patience.
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Re: Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby Chances » Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:33 pm

Just my two cents... I believe the factory color is not quit straight silver, but maybe a silver hammer with slight a gold tone. Or is that gold tone years of smoke?
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Re: Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby oldslotman » Fri Mar 03, 2017 7:03 pm

Chances wrote:Just my two cents... I believe the factory color is not quit straight silver, but maybe a silver hammer with slight a gold tone. Or is that gold tone years of smoke?

Here is a factory original paint and award card.
IMG_0215.JPG
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Re: Restoring Mills Black Cherry.

Postby Chances » Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:18 pm

That's what I was saying... That color clearly looks different than the silver restored 25¢ machine posted above.
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