Working on my first stove project - a primus 71 "AL". I bought the stove locally and am working on cleaning up and getting it operational. My next step is what to do with the tin... I have seen plenty of resources from about 10 years ago that promote stripping down the tin, repainting and using replacement decals. I cannot help but notice that the decal on my stove is a bit different from what is currently available. I have also failed to identify anyone offering replacement decals for the inside of the tin. So what the prevailing opinion/practice today? Do I obliterate those wonderful, original decals in favor a fully restored tin or do I embrace the corrosion?
I'm not sure there is any prevailing opinion or practice in these matters. It's just different opinions, and I say each to his own in these matters. We can only give you our personal opinions, and they will vary. My opinion is that you should leave everything as it is. Just a gentle clean, and of course get the stove itself operational. It looks really nice now. A stripped and re-painted one will look nice too if it's well done, but not as good as a decent original. And your decals are not so bad. Fully readable and showing most of what they looked like when new. That's a valuable resource.
@Marcus Turner You have the earlier version with the manufacturer named as Hjorth (decal pattern HERE) and the internal decal warning message in a lesser number of languages (decal HERE). The right match of waterslide decal paper to your printer type (dot matrix or laser) and you could restore the tin.
I would say it depends on the purpose you have in mind. If you just want a sturdy great little stove to just lug in your backpack - clean it and let it be. If you hate looking at rusty items - repaint it and make it look new. If you want a nice and good looking piece on your collectors shelf- both options really - It have been used, let it show.... or repaint it and enjoy the new look.
Hammerite will stop rust and do nothing to the paint. But I don't know if it will do something to decal. Maybe someone else can answer. @kerophile
I did my own decal of the inner lid label with waterslide decal paper in my printer from a photo. It turned out good. An option if you decide to repaint, and can't find one to buy. Ivan
If it were mine I'd leave it as it is. It looks good and shows a bit of history. If you repaint it, it'll never be the same again.
The waterslide paper is like what they used on model airplanes when I was a kid. On my first attempt the ink smeared when I put the decal in water to slide it off the backing paper. So I sprayed clear varnish on the next one and let it dry first. After I placed it on the lid I sprayed clear varnish over it and the lid. It was the only time I have done one but it turned out OK. Others here probably are more experienced with decals if you decide to make some. Ivan
Here are pics of the decal I printed. You can see a small tear in the bottom right, so I would recommend printing several so you are prepared. Ivan
