Plate Refinishing?

[Joel Rappaport]

robert sadowski wrote:
> 
> Dear list,
>      Could some of you rebuilders throw out some of your techniques for
> sealing the
> old plate finish before applying bronzing lacquer?  I hate the thought of
> stripping the old finish off.  In the past I've tried shellac, auto sealers
> and primers and always seem to get a little lifting in those sharp bends
> around the struts.
> 
You'll probably get lots of good suggestions.  I'll handle the ultimate
situation.  If there have been several coats of lacquer applied and/or
the original coat was less than pristine, the best thing to do is have
the plate sand blasted.  Fill big imperfections and use auto primer as
you mentioned before gold.  This has been discussed before here and
finishing with a clear coat is a matter of choice.  BTW, two thinner
coats are better than one thick coat which will "bridge" and cause that
lifting in the bends and corners.

Joel Rappaport
Round Rock, Texas