Best coating for a bench vise

R

RsqVet

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