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Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/26/2011 3:56 PM

I am trying to get the porcelain parts of my Koken barber chair painted. A local automotive paint shop told me they can't paint the porcelain but I have seen many that are painted. Is there something special that I need to know/do to paint these parts?

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#1

Re: painting a Koken barber chair

09/26/2011 4:04 PM

Genemdragon, do you suppose the painted porcelain items you have seen were decorated BEFORE they were glazed and fired?

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#4
In reply to #1

Re: painting a Koken barber chair

09/26/2011 6:09 PM

They absolutely were not painted before they were glazed and fired since these are antique chairs and they did not have these colors in the 50's. (I know, i forgot to tell you that this is a really old chair). Thanks anyway tho.

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#2

Re: painting a Koken barber chair

09/26/2011 4:05 PM

Maybe the ones you saw painted were painted by someone who didn't know that you couldn't do it.

Really, painting porcelain is just like painting glass. To get good adhesion you'll need to etch the porcelain first.

There are many solutions containing hydrofluoric acid and maybe others that will work.

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: painting a Koken barber chair

09/26/2011 6:07 PM

I hadn't considered, but it should be just about like painting glass. I bet lyn is right; preparation is a MAJOR part of succcess in this venture.

This site recommends a special paint from a hobby store that is specifically intended for glass/porcelain. Go figure.

It also says to bake it in the oven for a while to set the coating. This may vary with different coating manufacturers.

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#5

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/26/2011 10:22 PM

Rather than an automotive painter should you seek a bathtub refinisher; they do redo porcelain

http://www.hawklabs.com/refinishing-products.html

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#6

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/26/2011 10:32 PM

Why not leave it as is? It would be like giving Babara Streisand a facelift or a nose job for that matter. Don't know what the parts are but even if they show typical hair fractures leave them alone.

Your are meddling with a peace of artwork.

Think again, unless your missus told you to do it.

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#8
In reply to #6

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 12:20 AM

I have to agree with you again ky, some things should be left alone.

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#11
In reply to #6

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 8:39 AM

That is correct except mine is in nowhere near the condition of the one shown in your picture so I am getting rid of all the rust by nickle plating, all the torn and dry rotted leather by refinishing (my specialty) and painting all the porclian to "finish the job".

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#7

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/26/2011 11:30 PM

Many antiques are worth a lot more if the finish has not been restored.If you plan on selling it, do not touch the finish.

If the old finish has been previously restored, or painted, try to remove it down to the original and see what it used to be.If the old finish is still basically intact, leave it.

There is a lot of history in the scratches and dings and wear gives the look of authenticity and class.

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#9

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 1:11 AM

The "Antique Roadshow" TV program is entertaining, and teaches us plenty about not improving of antiques. On the other hand I would not call Babs as such. And she could benefit from some bobbing and smoothing, IMHO.

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#10

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 8:10 AM

If you are looking to replace the porcelainizd coating, you will have to find someone in that business. You may have to look long and hard because that is a dying craft. An alternative might be to find a local powder coater. Powder coatings are organic, but are rather hard and durable. They would mimic the look and performance of the original vitreous finish.

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#12
In reply to #10

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 8:46 AM

Thank you. I am going to try a special paint first recomended by sherwin williams and if it does not work my second idea was to go the route of powder coating. I do not know a lot about it but if it comes to that, I will learn.

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#13

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 8:57 AM

I would go with the bathtub refinisher - one national franchised company that provides this service is Bathcrest. They use an extremely hard epoxy finish that is chip resistant and similar to porcelain in most respects. Can be had in colors or white. The surface is usually etched lightly and then several coats applied. Check out a local operation for samples - the finish is very impressive. A two part brush on mix is also sold for the same purpose at Home Depot, but for a proffessional finish the pro spray on approach is the way to go.

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#15
In reply to #13

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 2:31 PM

Bathcrest

Thanks Ridgeback

That looks like a "paint" I might be able to use one day. I do a bit of proto typing and when it comes to paint it's always a compromise. I'll look into that.

Welcome to CR4

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#14

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 11:42 AM

I've enjoyed many of the Koken Barber chair restoration projects discussed here at CR4. I wish for them to continue coming to CR4. But why do they come here? This baffles me.

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#19
In reply to #14

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 3:32 PM

I have wondered as well why we get so many.

If I search the 'net for 'koken', CR4 eventually shows up (in part because we get so many threads about them I suppose).

I wonder about this thread in particular, which is really not about a Koken barber chair, because it actually regards porcelain finish restoration. The chair is not the primary subject.

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#21
In reply to #19

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 3:56 PM

I think it's getting the same way with the Chevy Cavaliers, the go-to place for answers

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#24
In reply to #21

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 4:35 PM

That seems to be a little different.

In a search for 'chevy cavalier wont run', CR4 is the #1 hit.

It does my heart good to know so many put their trust in LynDoor™ Industries. LynDoor Industries Perpetual Motion Division, where the Cavaliers from yesterday become the energy barges of tomorrow. We need to work on that slogan I think

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#27
In reply to #24

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 10:17 PM

I see that there's only 172 results on that search, it seems that the advertising dept. at LynDoor™ Industries is slacking

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#22
In reply to #14

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 4:00 PM

Because, they know that the guys from LynDoor™Industries hang here?

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#23
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Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 4:15 PM
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#16

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 2:48 PM

Hi pal, you have a beautiful project at hands, some members have already given you the answers you need, just think that everything made by the man, the man himself can make it again.

Please ignore the slippers.

Regards

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#17
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Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 2:59 PM

That is a very beautiful chair!

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#18
In reply to #16

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 3:23 PM

I agree; a wonderful restore job.

Gee whiz you have big feet

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#20
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Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 3:52 PM

That is one nice looking chair!!

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#25

Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 9:10 PM

Porcelain is essentially glass so you have to use a paint that will adhere to glass or you are going to have to modify the surface texture of the porcelain. Bead blasting would probably do it. Then a 2-part primer under the color paint.

Why not have the porcelain re-applied?

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#26
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Re: Painting a Koken Barber Chair

09/27/2011 9:40 PM

I didn't really know anyone does that? Also, I wonder if they could do it in a color of my choice? It's something to look into if this paint doesn't work. Thanks (everybody) for all your help on this project. I really do appreciate all the comments.

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