Aermtotor color

[Kansas Rust Buzzard]

OK, for you Aermotor geeks, I want a true and correct color for a 1958 Chicago Aermotor that is going to be at eye level inside. As tempting as it is to just get a rattle can that is close enough, I want this to be perfect so someday when we have a Trade Fair, I don't have to hear about it being wrong. Also, there will be one of those Valley Industry mills right beside it so what color of green was it? Did Aermortor change its red as long as it was in Chicago or did they stay the same? Was the 502 red? Mine came in primer and I have no idea, I was never a big Aermotor guy but I can't afford any rare ones these days so I will work on what I find. Thanks

[Windcatcher530 Dan]

Aaron i can't help you with the color on your 702 but I was always told by the old guru's that the 602s were painted a red oxide primer color so I would figure the same on your 502. Just my thoughts !!!

[Wayne]

It's yours and any color you decide to put on it is correct.

[JBarker]

I don' know what they used in Chicago, but I'm sure it was lead based.

Here are some pics of the paint Aermotor San Angelo was using a few years ago when I picked up some windmills at the factory. I walked over to their paint shop and took a bunch of photos. They were using Kelly-Moore Red Oxide primer.

But when I went back for Aermotor Windmill School they were using Sherman Williams. I think they get red oxide primer from whomever is cheaper at the time of order.

Jerry

[JBarker]

Here are some more pics....Jerry

[mtblah]

Perfect, thank you Jerry , can’t get any more accurate than factory photos!

[Ron Stauffer]

For your 1958
The color of the paint is the easiest to have authentic for that vintage of a vane. And you can paint it with a rattle can to be appropriate.

Here are examples in 6 and 8 of what your vane logo would look like.

I call it the segmented logo. A Had a lot of variations in their logos.by vintage and size.. Note that there is no "The" or "Co" on the either side. You won't find any rail destinations printed on them either, as they no longer
used railroad

20240814_155909.jpg

20240814_155931.jpg

Ron Stauffer
Montrose CO

[Reddirtwind]

I can tell you that I’ve had MUCH better luck, from a durability standpoint, using Rustoleum RUSTY METAL red oxide primer, vs. regular “run of the mill” red oxide primer. Holds up more like a paint, than regular primer (when not topcoated). Can’t speak for the color “match”. Take that for what it’s worth.

[Kansas Rust Buzzard]

Thank you to everyone for pictures and information! Maybe I worry too much about being perfect but I try my best to restore mills like they left the factory. Thanks again, I am going to research some of this information.