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Stephen Sank
 
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Default McIntosh Bubbling glass

Rustoleum gloss black is not quite black enough. Pretty close, but it will
be visible under all but dim lighting. I haven't found a black enough black
enamel yet, but haven't done much hunting. The bubbling, I believe, is
simply air penetration under the edge of the paint, gradually progressing
further along. It doesn't happen very often at the edges of the whole panel
because the frame bits literally hold down the paint.

--
Stephen Sank, Owner & Ribbon Mic Restorer
Talking Dog Transducer Company
http://stephensank.com
5517 Carmelita Drive N.E.
Albuquerque, New Mexico [87111]
505-332-0336
Auth. Nakamichi & McIntosh servicer
Payments preferred through Paypal.com
"Rich Andrews" wrote in message
.44...
"tap1n" wrote in
et:

How does Terry say to go about repairing that bubble?




The method is basically simple. Remove the bubbled/damaged paint/ink and
paint it. Terry said to use an X-Acto knife to remove the damaged paint,

(I
used a single edged razor blade) and then drip Rustoleum gloss black

(Audio
classics says to use gloss black model paint) on the area. If lettering

is
involved, then you are out of luck as that gets lifted with the black. I

am
going to attempt to repair the panloc bubbles as well but it may require

the
dexterity of a surgeon and a little luck to preserve the lettering. Mc
should have never used epoxy to hold those panloc grommets in place. They
shouldn't have glued foam to the painted glass either. If one has an
airbrush, that might work, but one would have to experiment. I am going

to
go for the Rustoleum. I trust Terry's restoration experience over AC's.
AFAIK Terry is a perfectionist and I like that when it comes to appearance
issues. (:)

Mc used some sort of foam with adhesive on the edges of the glass to

prevent
the glass from rattling. My theory is that either the foam or the

adhesive
combined with moisture causes the paint to bubble and lift. The panloc

issue
is caused by epoxy? that holds the plastic grommet to the front panel. It
seems that the grommet was never really tight against the front so pushing

on
it lifts the paint and lettering. I ran an idea by Terry and he has yet

to
reply so I am hesitant to say what it is.

I forgot to ask Terry if one could use a clear coat to preserve the rest

of
the faceplate. I would be extremely hesitant as it might cause the entire
faceplate to bubble.

r






"Rich Andrews" wrote in message
.44...
(StuWelwood) wrote in
:


Does anyone have a method to touch up a front glasss that is

bubbling?


Why not give McIntosh a call? They often get older gear in for

repairs,
and
they should be able to make it like new. What model are we talking

about?

Stuart Welwood
http://members.aol.com/StuWelwood



Stuart,

The model is MI3. I called Audio Classics, Mc, and Terry at
McIntoshAudio.com. The glass is not available from any of the above

sources
for the MI3. Terry described a procedure to repair the bubbled

paint/ink
areas so I think I am good to go. I know why the ink bubbles and there

is
no
hope. It is going to happen. I am sure Mc really didn't know what was

going
to happen, it is just a shame that it does. Lets look at it this was,

what
does one expect from a 30+ year old piece of gear?

On a different note, the MI3 I have has an open HV winding. I was

going
to
make a tripler using the remaining 330VAC tap. What sort of additional

load
does a tripler present to that tap? It has been too long since I messed

with
circuits of this nature.

r


--
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from
magic."

Arthur C. Clarke (1917 - ), "Technology and the Future"






--
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from
magic."

Arthur C. Clarke (1917 - ), "Technology and the Future"