To paint or not to paint?

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NeoTree

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What does everybody do on their saw restorations?
Painting a saw can really make it look like a million bucks, but after all, it is a chainsaw so it's gonna get scratched up some.

Pros:
You have a new looking saw that just looks better.

Cons:
If you paint one part on the saw it will look funny if you don't paint the rest of the saw.
Somtimes paint colors will not match.
Paint doesn't agree with chemicals, gas, cleaners, etc, and you really end up with a mess, even after it has cured.
Saw doesn't have nastalgia look anymore.
It will end up looking like a used saw in a couple years anyway.

I usually end up painting my saws, To me the look of a clean saw outweighs the cons most of the time, kind of a sense of pride with the equipment your working with.
 
I bought a used 30 yo Echo a few days ago and it had "white rust" bubbling thru the paint in a few spots. So rather than letting the rust eat thru the mag case i took it apart and wire wheeled it all clean and i plan on repainting the area. But i have never restored one all the way i am having too much fun running them, plus i have a new one in the box...Bob
 
I was wondering the same thing...some of these colors might be hard to match...but I will run most of mine that I restore...the day may come though
 
A couple of restored/painted ones,

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Echo orange is like Chevy engine paint. Someone here painted an Echo with it and it looked good. Don't forget powdercoating. It would hold up pretty good if done right...Bob
 
I have only completely restored one saw and ended up skipping the paint. I am doing a Stihl 042 now, but have not decided if I will paint it or not. If I do I will use parts store rattle cans, I am not going to invest much time into doing it. Parts store has a line of engine paint that is very gas/oil resistant, so my choices of colors are limited to what they have available.
 
I'm kinda half and half really. I've painted up one of my old blue Super XL's and touched up my 261 which had some rough plastic and Ireally do enjoy the nice, painted up saws a whole bunch.

But on the other hand, I don't see a need to paint up a worker saw/firewood saw. A thorough cleaning yes, but It's just going to get the usual nicks and scratches in the long run....
 
Treat them like they were designed to be, and run them!

Good looks dont cut wood.

After painting you worry about scratches and what not.
The wear on the saw shows character IMO.
 
I bought a used 30 yo Echo a few days ago and it had "white rust" bubbling thru the paint in a few spots. So rather than letting the rust eat thru the mag case i took it apart and wire wheeled it all clean and i plan on repainting the area. But i have never restored one all the way i am having too much fun running them, plus i have a new one in the box...Bob

I'll second Bob here, this is my number 1 reason for painting, especially the older saws; corrosion prevention. Ran across many saws that are mechanically A+, but structurally trashed due to the magnesium being eaten away.

Dan
 
I paint all mine at least once a year (of the ones that get used regularly), but I don't paint the plastic parts. I keep them clearcoated and they still look pretty good.

On a similar note, and sorry for the partial hijack, but doesn anyone have an efficient and effective way to make a template for painting the wording back on the bar. In my case, would like to repaint the stihl logo, but not working out too well. Keep getting bleed through. Would like to make one good template that I can use over and over again. Thanks for any help in advance.
 
This one I just got going, wish they were all that easy just some fresh mix and off it went. I just repainted the lower handle as it was funky but the rest while not restored new is not bad for original paint and where would I get replacement Marlboro Man decals.

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Pioneer Guy

What paint did you use on that 066?

I paint all my saws with a three part urethane paint designed for heavy off road equipment like dozers, loaders and excavators, its tough stuff that is really resistant to gasoline and oils. I use a very nice Devilbiss HVLP spray gun and set the air pressure around 40 psi. running through a triple water trap/filter.

Pioneerguy600
 
My favorite is Van Sickle Tractor enamel, get it in a rattle can or by the quart. They also sell hardener for it if you are blowing in a gun. Not as tough as two part paints but its good, not very expensive and easy to apply.
 
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