'65 C2 Stamp pad question

[Barry K.]

hi all
I'm getting ready to repaint the engine block on my '65. Obviously I'll cover the stamp pad with some painters tape to mask it off but as my pictures show the stamp pad is very dark from surface rusting or whatever. If you really get a light in close you can read it easily enough but it seems most other stamp pads I've seen are somewhat lighter. Is there something I can use on the pad to clean off the surface better so it won't look dark and sorta-rusty and it is easier to read. it would be a shame to have a nice bright freshly painted motor block with this dark area sticking out looking glaringly bad.

http://69.253.166.197/page1/page76/page81/page81.html

while you are looking at the pad anyway.......... what are your opinions on the appearance in terms of "originality" of this pad. This is supposed to be an original motor car and the FEW people locally that should know about stamp pads never indicated to me that they felt anythinng was amiss with the pad or stamping but it would be nice to hear your expert opinions. If it's bad news I guess I'd rather hear it now rather in the future if I ever decide to sell the car and get surprised than........

[William C.]

Re: '65 C2 Stamp pad question

A-the second picture is not coming up.

B-Darkening of the pad surface is normal and generally an encouraging sign.

C- the pictures in the first set of photos are not close enough to say more than the above

[Barry K.]

Re: '65 C2 Stamp pad question

Bill
there should be six pictures on that page. is it just the 2nd picture that's not coming up for you?
The forth picture - 1st one in the second row - should be the easiest one to read

[William C.]

Re: '65 C2 Stamp pad question

The stamp looks normal, but the picture does not show any of the machining marks on the surface, I tried to blow it up with Photopaint, but it doesn't have enough resolution

[Jack H.]

Re: '65 C2 Stamp pad question

To remove surface scale without damaging/distorting the underlying broach marks, why not put chemistry to work? Specifically, I'd consider a soft toothbrush and a little Naval Gel followed by fresh water rinse. That way you're not 'sanding' on the pad... When done, simply hand wipe the pad with some machine oil to protect it from further oxidation.

[James W.]

Re: '65 C2 Stamp pad question

Barry,

As Bill has said, your pictures are not close enough to see the stamp pad surface to see the broach marks. To remove the rust, I would use some navel jelly to dissolve it. Apply it with a small modelers paint brush or cotton swab. It may take a few repeated applications and possibly the use of some very fine steel wool (the finest you can buy) to help clean it off. You may want to try using an old tooth brush to get down into the valleys of the numbers and letters to clean them out. Do not use any type of metal wire brush; this will disfigure the original broach marks ! When you are done, wipe it clean with a clean cotton rag and some acetone. Mask off the pad, paint, remove tape, and clean the pad again with some acetone. Then apply some WD-40 or Pre-Lube 6 with a cotton swab onto the exposed metal stamp pad surface, don't bother to wipe off the excess. I did this on my stamp pad and it worked great and did not harm the broach marks. Others may have a different method, but this worked for me.

Regards,

James West

[Barry K.]

Re: '65 C2 Stamp pad question

Jack and James
thank you, the navel jelly is a great idea. i'll give it a shot!

[Brian M.]

Re: '65 C2 Stamp pad question

While at the National in Windsor 2004, I saw a guy using CLR with good results.