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Radium Painted Instruments

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 7:19 pm
by FoCoB17G
I'm sure that we have all dealt with radium-painted instruments, so I'm hoping some of you might have some quick advice.

I need to get quite a few instruments repainted with modern glow in the dark & UV-sensitive paint. I know the dangers of radium dials, especially with ingesting the dust, so I don't want to do this myself (not to mention dealing with disposal- No thanks). I did some quick Google research and didn't find much for actually repainting the faces. Companies will rebuild these instruments (at high price) but all I really need is a new paint job.

So my question to you is this: Where can I get the old radium paint removed and new UV & glow in the dark paint applied?


EDIT: I've have yet to have any instruments rebuilt or refurbished, so I won't mind if this is the only way to go. I DO need to get many rebuilt, but several just need the paint. I don't want to pay for a full rebuild/refurb if the instrument is never going to be used. I've also heard that by including a radium removal and repainting with a refurb/rebuild can cost up to an extra $150 per instrument, which I think is bit high. I'm hoping that if the instrument no longer had radium (through a cheaper path), a rebuild will not have this extra fee.

Re: Radium Painted Instruments

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 8:24 pm
by terveurn
The best way to deal with this problem is do not do anything.

Once you break the case you will contaminate whatever workplace you have the instrument.

Buy a cheap Geiger counter any you will find even after 65 years, these are still hot.

If you really need them refurbished, then I would contact an aviation instrument shop and get a quote from them -- tell the shop you do not need the instrument serviceable (a red tag will do).