Best coating for a bench vise

RsqVet · August 17, 2012, 08:10 PM

Well I lucked into an 8 inch wilton USA mae bench vise. Only issue is it's well used and covered in oil and grease. Came out of a cat shop and was likely never cleaned or degreased. Paint is coming off with all the old grease and crud.

Glad to add this one to the smaller vise I have and I don't see myself ever breaking or wearing it out, thing is I'd like to put the most durable but economical coating on it so common cleaning solvents and oils don't just take it back off.

So far duracoat rattle cans have been suggested as has appliance spray epoxy. Issue for duracoat would be cost as well as trying to heat once applied. It's a rather large item.

I have found spray cold galvanizing and spray epoxy from mcmaster, was thinking of using the cold galv as primer topped by the epoxy unless there is a better suggestion from the crowd here.

Thank you all

James K · August 18, 2012, 12:59 AM

Sand blast it and use auto paint. Or just clean the crud off and let it alone; it doesn't have to be pretty.

Jim

Scorch · August 18, 2012, 12:55 PM

I have used rattle cans of the cheapest paint available. It's not a show piese, it's a vise.

Dfariswheel · August 18, 2012, 05:55 PM

If you want to go the Duracoat way, it's an air curing two part epoxy, you don't bake it. You spray on the finish and let it cure for a week or so. It reaches full hardness in three weeks.

I'd personally go with the galvanizing followed with whatever durable paint I could find.

Slopemeno · August 19, 2012, 01:44 AM

Try Benjamin Moore rapid-dry gloss enamel. I used it extensively in the industrial battery business to paint electric forklift battery tray. We used a brush or roller. It goes on thick, and has a slight give to it so it really resists chipping with rough handling.

wyop · August 19, 2012, 01:52 AM

I don't know what your intended uses for the vise are, but I personally shy away from galvanized coatings on anything where I might be using a flame or a torch. I tend to use my torch a fair bit on parts in my vise, don't know what your intentions for the vise are.

In high enough concentrations, zinc fume poisoning isn't curable. If you get a bad enough exposure by breathing in burning zinc fumes, about all a doctor or hospital can do is make you comfortable as you die. Just a pleasant little tidbit to keep in mind...

You got a great vise, tho. The larger Wiltons are quite nearly indestructible.

teeroux · August 19, 2012, 02:00 AM

Ospho or equivilent then paint with prefered brand.

http://www.partspak.com/ProductCart/...product=255423

http://www.thepaintstore.com/Jasco_P..._p/qjpp007.htm

johnbt · August 20, 2012, 02:36 PM

I have a Craftsman 6" that my uncle bought used after returning from WWII. It didn't occur to me until now that it ever had any paint on it. Oh well, there's no rust yet and it's been in my damp unfinished basement since '85.

John

scottd913 · August 21, 2012, 09:14 PM

automotive paint is the best idea its quick cheap and easy.
deals with dirt grease and grim well.
comes in cool chevy red.

August 17, 2012, 08:10 PM	#1
RsqVet Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Posts: 2,474	Best coating for a bench vise Well I lucked into an 8 inch wilton USA mae bench vise. Only issue is it's well used and covered in oil and grease. Came out of a cat shop and was likely never cleaned or degreased. Paint is coming off with all the old grease and crud. Glad to add this one to the smaller vise I have and I don't see myself ever breaking or wearing it out, thing is I'd like to put the most durable but economical coating on it so common cleaning solvents and oils don't just take it back off. So far duracoat rattle cans have been suggested as has appliance spray epoxy. Issue for duracoat would be cost as well as trying to heat once applied. It's a rather large item. I have found spray cold galvanizing and spray epoxy from mcmaster, was thinking of using the cold galv as primer topped by the epoxy unless there is a better suggestion from the crowd here. Thank you all

August 18, 2012, 12:55 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I have used rattle cans of the cheapest paint available. It's not a show piese, it's a vise. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

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August 18, 2012, 12:59 AM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Sand blast it and use auto paint. Or just clean the crud off and let it alone; it doesn't have to be pretty. Jim

August 18, 2012, 05:55 PM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	If you want to go the Duracoat way, it's an air curing two part epoxy, you don't bake it. You spray on the finish and let it cure for a week or so. It reaches full hardness in three weeks. I'd personally go with the galvanizing followed with whatever durable paint I could find.

August 19, 2012, 01:44 AM	#5
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	Try Benjamin Moore rapid-dry gloss enamel. I used it extensively in the industrial battery business to paint electric forklift battery tray. We used a brush or roller. It goes on thick, and has a slight give to it so it really resists chipping with rough handling.

August 19, 2012, 01:52 AM	#6
wyop Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2012 Location: Wonderful, Windy Wyoming Posts: 133	I don't know what your intended uses for the vise are, but I personally shy away from galvanized coatings on anything where I might be using a flame or a torch. I tend to use my torch a fair bit on parts in my vise, don't know what your intentions for the vise are. In high enough concentrations, zinc fume poisoning isn't curable. If you get a bad enough exposure by breathing in burning zinc fumes, about all a doctor or hospital can do is make you comfortable as you die. Just a pleasant little tidbit to keep in mind... You got a great vise, tho. The larger Wiltons are quite nearly indestructible.

August 19, 2012, 02:00 AM	#7
teeroux Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2006 Posts: 1,512	Ospho or equivilent then paint with prefered brand. http://www.partspak.com/ProductCart/...product=255423 http://www.thepaintstore.com/Jasco_P..._p/qjpp007.htm

August 20, 2012, 02:36 PM	#8
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	I have a Craftsman 6" that my uncle bought used after returning from WWII. It didn't occur to me until now that it ever had any paint on it. Oh well, there's no rust yet and it's been in my damp unfinished basement since '85. John

August 21, 2012, 09:14 PM	#9
scottd913 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2012 Location: Texas ... north of houston, east of el paso Posts: 214	automotive paint is the best idea its quick cheap and easy. deals with dirt grease and grim well. comes in cool chevy red.