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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Painting the C11 Losmandy Tripod

When I got the C11, it was apparent that it was not taken good care of. The steamer crate that the OTA was in was rotten and the scope itself was in need of a good scrubbing. But when I saw it, I knew it had to be mine and she has served the Chicago Astronomers exceptionally well.

I noticed all too well at our last public star party session, that the legs looked rough and in need of some attention - before the heavy observation season begins.

The tripod and mount also showed signs of nicks, dings and scrapes by unknown astronomers before me - and I too have inflicted my own bumps. And the amount of use it gets from many many public star party sessions - we need to keep the equipment looking the best we can.

Time for a make over.

As I am about to take apart the C11 OTA for some modding and cleaning, I had intended to paint the front collar and dust cap - as there is paint scrapped off and some that tape took off, (why someone would put tape there is unknown.) but how would it look with this new hammered paint stuff?

[img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f101/chicagoastronomer/Astronomical/Telescopes/C11/ModProject%2026June10/005.jpg["]

From last year's major C11 disassembly: astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=ATM&thread=2760&post=9536


Should I sandblast it, grind it clean or what?. A lot of work and the results would be superb, but I'm not in the mood. A quicker satisfactory finish needs to be found.

I wanted to test out this new paint I got...

It's a "hammered" type of paint, not smooth and what I was looking for. The uneven irregular surface would go far in hiding future scrapes and I can always touch it up easily without a noticeable paint patch.

I used this on two of my Voyager hubcaps last week when it was warm to test it out and liked the results a lot. But I also have this....

Glow-in-the-dark paint.

Don't know if I will use it or if it would be useful yet, but a little more irradiation in our lives can't hurt...

I used a cleaner/sander solvent to remove the grime and cut the shine in prep for the paint....and it was certainly dirty. And as careful I would be, I know I would get some paint onto the leg spreader clamps - so off they go...

And I measure the height before removing them (5 1/2").

Why did Losmandy feel the need to use two different size allen head screws? But we conquer all obstacles and have all manner of tools at Joe's estates.

I used two different sized paint brushes and it went on well...

It's more dark grey than black, but it looks good. And I feel it could be better and I will air-gun spray on the final coat tomorrow and keep the coat uniform - but in the garage.

Gone is the flat matte black of the old tripod...

I'm a little woozy from the toxic fumes............and think I will go lay dow............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. #drool#

[RobbW]

Joe, that hammered paint looks promising. I gotta say it is weird how we're on the same wavelength sometimes. I, too, picked up a can of that Rustoleum Glow-in-the-Dark paint when I was buying odds n' ends for my new FatMax cases. Don't know how I'm going to use the paint yet. I'm thinking of some sort of astro designs on the FatMax cases. I just need to find some decent astro stencils as my freehand isn't that great. It would be cool if I could do one of those neat Milky Way murals on the cases.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I haven't had the chance to continue the project, so it awaits.

The weather will be nicer this weekend anyway and I can spray the final coat in the garage with the doors open.

I was thinking maybe using the glow paint for some tripod leg banding or for accessories. Dunno yet, but it's nice to have on-hand.

Maybe...

We'll secretly tag on other Chicago Astronomer's scopes with the glow paint when they are not looking.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Air gun spraying the C11 Tripod

The day is warm, breezy and perfect for spraying the top coat on the C11 Losmandy tripod. Setting up in the garage and with the doors open, the cross ventilation was just right as I mixed Xytol and the Hammerpaint to just the right consistancy for air gun spraying.

Before, I painted the Tripod from top to bottom uniformly with a brush....

Looked good, but left some brush stokes. After the air gun spraying, the top coat covered the bristling just nicely and looked good.

But...

I wondered how a two tone paint job would look, stepping away from the monochromed look....

First, I lightly gave a blue fog coat on the base....but didn't dig it. Then using silver Hammered paint, I covered the top..


I like this Hammered type of Rustolium paint. It gives a quasi-bumpy look, yet a smooth finish. I don't know yet if I like the two tone look as of yet....

Not bad and gives some dramatic artsy play on light. Perhaps I need to leave the hinge caps silver and paint the base the hammered black. But, that means taking the tripod apart and I don't know if I'm in the mood.

Dunno.

I'll go back out in a bit and see it with fresh eyes and not woozy from the fumes....and make a final decision.

And....

Just about that time to start work on the Chevelle...

[tomlee]

Going two tone? It would pretty much needs to be black on top. That's my opinion and recommendation if it's not too late

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Tom,

No, not too late.

Still up in the air...perhaps I'll combine some grey into the black and spray that on. Opinions are encouraged.