Mitchell 408

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don309
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Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

So I received a Mitchell 408 this week. I like paint on my user reels, so I'll be painting this one. I know the paint I want to use, doesn't match the original color. But I think this color will represent the reel well. I will fish it first till fall.
So what do you think?
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Bonaventure
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by Bonaventure »

That's a nice colour Don, it will look good.

Glen


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Wallace Carney
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by Wallace Carney »

Hey Don,

I've never been able to find the dark blue paint like the color Mitchell used on the 400 series reels. I even had a paint company mix some paint they said it would be the same. Well it wasn't. I don't think you can find any better than what you found, especially for a user reel. I can't wait to see the final results. When ready please take one pic with a flash and one under natural light. That will tell all!

Best Regards,
Wallace


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cshannon772
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by cshannon772 »

Hi Wallace,
I have two cans of exact matching "Sky Blue" - think Mitchell 440A and the "regular blue" for the 408/410/440 etc. which was researched and ordered by our mutual friend Doug B. I have the numbers for the mix and would be happy to share with anyone interested. They are a custom mix that can likely only can be made by an automotive paint dealer (Mine are in spray cans) and they're not inexpensive.

Kind Regards,
Chris


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

Chris, I sent you a PM.


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Wallace Carney
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by Wallace Carney »

Hi Chris, I am interested. Thanks, Wallace


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cshannon772
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by cshannon772 »

Hello Mates,
Don and Wallace, here's the paint codes for the 400 Series Mitchells and the 400A Series Mitchells. I have no idea what they mean as I have absolutely no expertise in automotive painting but I think to the right person who does, they may be able to make the right concoction for the above mentioned reels. I hope this helps all of our Mates interested in restoring their beloved Mitchells.
408.410.440 Paint code.jpg
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440A Paint Code.jpg
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440A Paint Code1.jpg
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Kind Regards,
Chris


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

Thanks Chris, means nothing to me either. I did reach out to a friend that has an auto body shop. He gave me a lead to another guy, that may be able to mix paint for me, and in spray cans. Going to try to call him today, and maybe email him the pictures of the cans. If it makes sense to him I'll get a cost to make it.
One other thing I'd like to put out there. I'm going to put at least 2 cots of Max2K glamour clear on the reel. So would you guy's use matte or gloss? I'm thinking the clear will bring up the matte nice.


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

No opinions on whether to use matte or gloss paint?


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

So the place I sent the email of Chris's paint cans, could not come up with a formula. I took the reel and he scanned it, and still came up with nothing. I had a friend give me an air compressor last week. Bought a paint spray gun yesterday. So the trip wasn't all for nothing. He did give me a pint of satin black, to practice with, I'll strip some old parts. OH speaking of stripping, he's going to sell me some commercial stripper, pick it up Friday. He guarantees will strip the paint.
I guess I'll never get the formula for the Mitchell blue's. But if anyone does I can get it made in spray cans.
Again thanks to Chris for trying to help!


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Bonaventure
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by Bonaventure »

Hi Don,

I would spray it with gloss, but that is only my opinion.

Glen in Nova Scotia


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cshannon772
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by cshannon772 »

Hi Don,
I'm sorry that didn't work out for you. I've had this paint for several years but I didn't have the paint mixed myself so unfortunately I'm probably of little help :oops: . I haven't had a reason to use it yet but I can tell you that it came from a highly experienced Collector who assured me it was an exact match for the standard 400 Series and the 440A reels. I'm hesitant to use it to display and then have it sit around for several years (or more) and clog the nozzle, or worse make it unusable in the future - hope you understand.

Kind Regards,
Chris


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

Chris not a problem!! I just though I'd try a true restore with this one lettering included. But you know me, I'm about saving Mitchell's. I'll do this in the color I picked, and try the lettering. I'll have a one of a kind 408 :o ;) :lol:
Just hope I'm not to excited about the stripper.


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

So this morning I went to my friends auto shop, and picked up the stripper (industrial). After 2 coats and a brass brush, I got 80% of the paint off, a 300 side cover. I did it this way to see if I can get the lettering to come out. But I don't see how that's going to happen the lettering is very thin and not stamped very deep. I thought I took a picture of the side plate but didn't. Right now I'm getting things together for flounder fish in the morning 3:30 AM. I'll get back to it Thurs.
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Wallace Carney
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by Wallace Carney »

Hello Don, thank you for sharing my friend. Regards, Wallace :text-thankyouyellow:


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

The first time I took paint off a Mitchell, it took me I believe just under a week using aircraft paint remover. Like I said before takes me about 1 - 1 1/2 hrs. With my 5" soft steel table top wheel. Since this is a practice piece I used the remover I posted last post. I am happy with the Product taking me about 5-6 hrs. with a brass brush. I have to put some more remover on the (Made In France) and try to get in their with a dremel brass brush. For some reason the paint on the foot is very stubborn, I'm using the wheel on that. So a little more prep, and polishing I'll be ready to paint. And lettering fingers crossed. The reel really does look better than the photo's.
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Side plate.jpg
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Bonaventure
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by Bonaventure »

Hi Don,

Did you practice with this stripper on a 300C body?

Glen


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

Yes. I havs 2 300's that I sometimes fish. If this comes out good, I'll display it, and leave it to a grandson.


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

Last of the clear coating is done. I'm 99.9% satisfied, one tiny spot on the foot the paint came off due to being tacky. Now to clean up the internal parts, and put it back together in a few days. Funny how glare effects a photo, makes them look like flaws. I'm also going to build a rod just for this reel. I'll make it with a blue & silver reel seat and Blue thread.
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Thread.jpeg
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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

Well this is the 408 I'll be keeping for myself and fishing. The reel is smooth as butter! I just wish I could have the lettering come out better, but such is life.
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Bonaventure
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by Bonaventure »

:text-bravo: Nice Job Don, looks really good. The lettering is ok, it's hard to replicate the original factory job while lacking the gear that the factory used to do it.

Best wishes, good fishing

Glen


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Baron2
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by Baron2 »

Is that metal flake paint. Sure is Pretty.


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don309
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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by don309 »

No straight blue paint.


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Re: Mitchell 408

Post by [email protected] »

I saw a duplicolor aerosol called Ford Medium Wedgewood which looked less blue than what was used by this poster. it's ID is BFM0355. Looks closer to the original 408 blue, will follow up when I get it on the reel.


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