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Theis
The Pearson logo was long gone from 113 when we picked her up, however the number plate(the oval piece at the aft of the cockpit)definitely has SOME blue left on it. So if everyone one starts telling you that you're making it up I'm on your side.
As a former screen printer I'm willing to guess that the color was dropped in by hand or stamped on but not screened prior to baking. You're right, there has been significant changes in that industry in the last twenty years.
Peter T.,
The coloration difference you see on the flag on the "old" casting is due to the fact that I gave Bristol Bronze liberty to buff out surface pits in the chrome before they made the casting pattern. However, there is an "etched" finish to parts of the original casting, around the flag, for example. But can't tell if it was just for decorative contrast, or if something was ever applied to it. Maybe I should take the thing down to the Houston Museum of Nautical Antiquities (you know we have sooooo many old things here in Houston, ha!) and see if they can do an electron scan or flourescence testing to see what the original piece looked like.
There must be an easier way, don't you think? Or do you have the last remaining original in the whole wide world (a.k.a. www).
Ta Da!!!!
The answer is out. The plaque was chromed, and the inside of the flag was painted BLUE. Who would have guessed that? Apparently, according to Rudy Knickerson, on later models the nameplate was a decal type thing. He is sending me a couple which, when I receive them, I will post.
I am trying to get some prices on the chroming. Everyone says it is not too expensive. But, getting around a minimum order is the issue. A per piece price of $10.00 does me no good if the minimum chroming order is $100.
Get a batch price and we'll all send you ours for plating:)
I'll do that. Good idea. Maybe we can get his next batch plated for him at the same time (That would be ten of them).
if, like me, you are going to have to buy two new ones anyway, what advantage is chroming the pretty bronze?
i think the picture with the nice bronze logo on that pretty mahogany looks great.
does chrome put up with the elements better than new bronze?
-km#3
That bronze sure does look great. Probably turn dark or green though.
Maybe a coat of lacquer?
Any Commander owner with a logo ready to step forward and get the process going for us?
I'm dying with envy here.
We have a request in to Commander #105 to see if they are interested in submitting their logo plate to Bristol Bronze.
There is a product called Incralac by Stanchem in CT , that is a protective coating for brass and bronze. If you have ever been to the Mariners Museum in Newport News Va. , their huge propeller at the grounds entrance is coated with this and it lasts for 5 years minimum , costs @$25 per qt .
Regular lacquer doesn't hold up worth a rat's potuttie .
Stanchem , East Berlin, CT., Phone: 860/828.0571
There is well over 30 years of use and research in the coating of exterior bronze with this product .
We tried it all and is the only thing that works for long , it is a full Mil-Spec material , developed for the Navy .
Mike:
"Rat's pottutie" is a sailing term I have not come across before? Could you describe it in greater detail or post a picture? Thanks.
Signed:
Curious
The rat's potuttie ( po-two-tee ) is a painter's term ,it would be a 'rat's ass' in the nautical vernacular . For a visual image , picture Osama with a hairless tail in place of his nose .
I have had the Commander name plates re-chromed sinse Mike photographed them(see above). Mike stopped by and asked if I would send them off for reproduction in bronze. This is a very good idea and I will do it soon as I can. The pot metal that they are made of gives off a gas for years after the casting that causes pitting even if they are kept in a box and never exposed to the envirionment. The re-chromed pot metal will only last so long before it starts to pit again, the bronze re-casts should last a very long time.:D
I have received a nominal quote (the place has not seen the actual part) to have the nameplate chromed. The process would first coat the bronze with copper, then zinc, and finally chrome. This is what Bristol Bronze recommended.
The price for four would be within their minimum of $50.00 ($12.50 each). If we get six (3 sets) the price would go down to $10.00 each. Is anyone interested at this price?