Rebuilding Seal 200 Press

[ic-racer]

Thanks for re-posting the images. Mine is from a former graphics company, and the plate needs cleaning. Tried the Seal cleaner, but still have old residue. Any secrets to sanding the plate?

I sanded it smooth with various grades of wet-or-dry sandpaper.

 

[Renato Tonelli]

Rustoleum Hammerd finish. I used 'paint prep' from the auto finish store.

Thanks for the reply.
I have the same press (someone was throwing it away at the University where I work); I cleaned it up really well, inside and out; replaced the pad and rewired it. Works great. The paint job will be next.

 

[ic-racer]

Post a picture of it when it is finished.

 

[Kshaub103]

I’m also rebuilding a dry mount press, a Seal 360M. Is there any alternative for the pad? 26x34 is press size.
Also thoughts on the release board.

 

[ic-racer]

Photobucket won't show the pictures in this thread anymore.
I have copies, here is the "Before" picture.

 

[ic-racer]

Cleaning the platen:

 

[ic-racer]

Painting the frame:

 

[ic-racer]

 

[ic-racer]

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I had never flattened prints that way before, it works very well. I suspect that for 'good' prints one would want to protect the print from both the platen and the foam with some textureless material. Mat board?? I guess one also needs a "cold press" like a piece of metal or something to hold the print flat while it cools.

I just place my prints under a heavy piece of glass for 5 min to cool.

 

[Kshaub103]

Is there any alternative other then the OEM ones for the pad and release board?

 

[Charlie Zinn]

I recently purchased a SEAL Masterpiece 350 from a framer who was closing his doors. The control nob and original thermostat were replaced with a Honeywell thermostat that is ancient in its own right. Does anyone have a picture a control box with the original wiring. I would like to update this thing and get it back to working.

 

[MTGseattle]

I just picked up a Seal 200 myself. I appreciate this thread. I have to admit I was shocked at the current $190 price for a replacement pad. I then looked at the price for a new 210m $3k. Holy Sh---!!!!
A $190 pad for a $3k machine makes a bit more sense I guess?

The real question is should I make it pretty or leave it alone?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I had never flattened prints that way before, it works very well. I suspect that for 'good' prints one would want to protect the print from both the platen and the foam with some textureless material. Mat board?? I guess one also needs a "cold press" like a piece of metal or something to hold the print flat while it cools.

I did not paint the center part because the paint can indicated it was limited to 200F, however, in use the top surface does not get that hot. So I will go ahead and paint that part also.

PS: Jeff, I got an email from someone reading as follows "....maybe interested in parting with one of the [8x10] Horizontal Devere's..."
I can't post a picture on the PM, so I'm hijacking the thread to show it here. PM me if you have any interest.

I usedmat-board in the press during hot flattening with success and let the print cool for 3 minutes under a thick sheet of glass on a countertop