What is under the silver paint on our crossing bell?

[Robert_Gift]

I'd like to place the bell on our desk, but wife would complain about its weathered blotchy paint appearance.

Should I remove the paint? With what?

Should I buy silver spray paint, sand everything smooth and repaint it?

Thank you.

Robert

[gedunk]

Not knowing any of the specifics, I would lightly use a wire brush to remove any loose paint bubbles, chips, and accumulated dirt. Then a wet, old washcloth with a bit of dishwashing detergent to get the remaining dirt. See what it looks like cleaned up. All that weathering on it adds character and shows some of its history.

[Robert_Gift]

Not knowing any of the specifics, I would lightly use a wire brush to remove any loose paint bubbles, chips, and accumulated dirt. Then a wet, old washcloth with a bit of dishwashing detergent to get the remaining dirt. See what it looks like cleaned up. All that weathering on it adds character and shows some of its history.

Thanks, dunk.
Howere these bellsupplied? Unpainted to be painted by the railroad?
D&RGW did everything in silver or gray (whatever it is called).
Did not some railroads paintheirs black or dark gray?

[gedunk]

I presume they came primed and/or painted. Ready to put into immediate service. As for color, I've only seen silver and black. Mostly silver.

[Robert_Gift]

Thanks, SP.
Is the gong pictured even painted?
Looks raw to me.

[Robert_Gift]

No ability to post photos, but it was the same D&RGW bell you had in your photo of the crossbuck on a small relay cabinet.
Same as what are mounted on the sides of relay cases.

[Robert_Gift]

Okay. It is a Griswold or RACO bell then. What are your plans for restoration?

How/where does one discern the make?

My wife doesn't want the monstrosity on the desk shelf unless it looks better.
So I was thinking of removing all the paint. In some spots paint has blistered and in other places a few layers can be seen where some paint has flaked off.
But I also like it in the garage because I can connect it to a car battery and it rings well!
(May even hook it up to a relay operated by the garage door light!)
Thank you.

[Robert_Gift]

Look on the door of the bell (on the back). Griswold and RACO used letter punch style letters. It should say either Griswold Signal Company Minneapolis Minnesota, RACO or both. The transition period bells have both. Also if you open the bell up there will be a metal tag on the inside that has the company name on it. If you want a restoration done let me know. I can do it.

Thank you.
I'll check but don't remember seeing anything.

Cannot afford to send it or pay forestoration.
Would also rather do what I can, myself.
I cleaned it well and reduced the pitting in the contacts.

I should connect a relay to the garage door motor circuit so the bell rings only when door is closing.
The light stays on many minutes.
How many amps do these 10-volt bells draw?
I have some high-amperage contact automotive relays taken from vehicles my fire department was about to destroy.
Wish I had pulled a battery.

[Robert_Gift]

On the rain cover is Railroad Supply Company. (Who is that?)
Bells weighs 54 lbs.
Thank you.

[Robert_Gift]

Are you sure it doesn't say Western Railroad Supply? I've never heard of Railroad Supply but Western Railroad Supply is a company.

Just Railroad Supply Company.
When I can, I'llook inside for any clues.
I believe it was from a D&RGW track, later UP track later abandoned, in a mountain town - if that helps.