<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>In a message dated 9/7/02 6:45:19 PM !!!First Boot!!!, poseyviolins@charter.net writes:
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<BR><BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">I am a hobbyist rebuilding a small Heintzman grand. I am taking the
<BR>plate out to refinish it. The question is how do you refinish the screws
<BR>that hold it in? Paint separately, then put them in? Does this scratch the
<BR>paint? Do you mask or scrape the paint from the plate holes?
<BR> What do you do with the hitch pins? Take them out? mask?, or clean
<BR>later?
<BR>Thanks,
<BR>Gerald
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<BR>I clean the screws with a wire wheel on a grinder. I put them in a box with chicken wire. (the very small squares, which are about 1/2" square),. I spray them with the same gold paint as the plate. Unless they are nickel plated to begin with. You should polish those up, and spray them with a clear coat of lacquer.
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<BR>I leave the hitch pins in, and spay them. That is not a problem. You can spray the agraffes, too, but for a super look, take them out and polish then, since they are brass. Keep should them in order when you take them out, and put them back in the same hole.
<BR>Wim </FONT></HTML>