Just curious as to what most folks use to paint the smokebox of operating steam locomotives. Thanks.

Traditionally a mix of graphite and linseed oil was often used.

Which left much to be desired as it didn't last long and needed heat to fully cure. I've used a mix of 50% BBQ black paint (Rustoleum) and 50% flake graphite. Others have used switch plate lubricant which is basically graphite in a binder.

A mixture of hi temperature aluminum and flat black stove paint makes a good coating. It takes only a small amount of black to tone the aluminum down to a fairly reasonable approximation of the traditional graphite color.

I think Japan Drier was added to help cure the paint... Anyone know what the ratio of ingredients is?

POR15 Manifold Gray. cures to a nice matte gray color, hides brush lines when it dries too. holds to the smokebox pretty good on daily use engines.

Specifically, boiled linseed oil.

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Kelly, that's exactly what I used. Never measured quantities. Mixed it in a coffee can. I used a parts washer wand with a pickup hose on it. Made a great graphite sprayer and you could control the spray. I had someone walk around with me holding the can and keeping the graphite in suspension while I sprayed.
Made very short work of the firebox with all those staybolt sleeves. That used to be a mess to do with brushes.
I wasn't there when the very first application was put on back in 88, but told the guys to use vertical strokes with the brush. They didn't.
I always liked the way the last method looked. It was bulletproof after the engine was fired up. I tried linseed oil early on and it really smelled bad so I decided mineral spirits was better along with steam oil.

Kelly,

Curiosity killed the cat.... How often do you have to apply it? And do you mind if I add that to my color data file?

Thanks.

I'm not Kelly, but you don't have to apply it that often. If you started out with a good sound surface it lasted a good while.
The photo of 1522 was taken right after our two farewell trips to Newburg and back and looks like it was just put on right before the picture.

Thanks Kelly & Frisco..

Reviving an older thread with a somewhat related question.

What is the best way to get multiple decades of layered on graphite paint off. The backhead, lower side sheets, and throat sheet all have a thick coating on them. I need to get this off to be able to get some good (hopefully) UT readings.

Thanks in advance,
Jesse

Mechanically - think wire brush on a side grinder.

A needle scaler will shatter off multiple layers of paint, graphite, or rust far better than a wire wheel in an angle grinder. I'd use that after the needle scaler gets the heavy thick stuff off.

Howard P.