Mills Hightop clean up - Restoration Question

[vgr]

I have what looks to be a lightly used Bonus Hightop and everything was overly oiled so the only real rust present is the on the inside drill proof panels. The paint is flaking and they both have surface rust. Since the paint on the case is in real nice presentable original condition, I am only planning on cleaning it up and not totally restoring it.

I have a couple of questions that I hope someone will help me with:
Is there a procedure to remove the paper serial number and mills tag to allow them to be reused? They are not in that good of condition but I would like to put them back on after cleaning and painting. I really do not want to paint around them…

Does anyone have the a source for the correct color of grayish paint that was originally used on the panels?

The reel strips look original but are coated with dried oil. I lightly rubbed and the oil started to come off. Is there an easy way to clean them without damaging them or fading the colors?

Some of the laminated glass has some bubbles around the sides from the plastic laminate. The escalator window was full of oil and easily came apart but the other windows are fused together. Are they supposed to be fused together or where they 2 separate pieces of glass and a thin piece of plastic?

Thanks in advance to all! Rick

[radiorich123]

HI

The outside decal is not shalveable and if you spray a light film of water on the inside paper srl# and let it loosen the glue use a putty knife to trmove it. Just use a gray spray paint that is close to the original gray color inside. The inside glass are stuck from age use laquer thinner on the seams and wait to it gets soften and remove the glass. The glass is safety glass and I replace it with 1/4 inch plate glass. I also have seperated the original glass and left the plastic out of it clean the 2 pcs of glass and reinstalled them into the machine. If the reel strips are paper be carefull when you clean them. I use glass plus on a rag and whipe them. Good luck!

Rich Bednarcik

[vgr]

Thanks for the information Rich! All very good suggestions-

I definitely feel better tackling this now!

Have a great weekend, Rick

[watlingboy]

Krylon spray paint makes a color grey that is exact to the inside of mills cases. They have changed the name recently and I don't remember the new name but there is only one light grey they make. It works great.

Watlingboy

[Tom Erickson]

I have found that Go-Jo hand cleaner works great for cleaning reel strips.