Coating for an old parma controller

[Man Machine]

I Purchased 3 old Parma controllers which I have yet to test out.

Problem is, the coating on them seems to have flaked off over the years of storage/use.

Does anyone know what exactly the coating is? and where I could get some?
I thought about using regular epoxy, but I think I would like to try to find the original coating.

[The Old Jaybird]

If it is the old, hard orange plastery stuff.....Parma used to sell it, but I haven't seen it for 25-30 years. I would remove all the old crusty stuff and redo with epoxy.....JB Weld 5 minute would be my choice.

TOJ

[Mayberryman]

I agree with OJB, I have used JB Weld on the front of Parma resistors and allowed them to dry and then get a flat surface and sand the front until the winds are all clear. It should feel almost as smooth as a more expensive wet would resistor.

[Man Machine]

I was thinking about using JB weld. But I was concerned about the metal content in it causing problems.

Thanks for the info ! I have used hobbypoxy in the past, but when it heats up it begins to smell bad.

[BIG E]

I've used J-B Weld on dozens of resistors, and it works just great. I also was concerned at first about the metal content in the epoxy, and called the company directly before coating my first resistor. They understood completely what I was talking about and reassured me I had nothing to worry about for this application, that the actual metal content in the product was very small and would not cause any electrical problems.
I believe Parma's current "Wet Wound" series of resistors may use a similar epoxy type product.
As for the ceramic resistor coating, I haven't seen the Parma stuff for years, and my last bottle dried up decades ago. I don't remember if it was available back in the late 1980's when I had my own commercial raceway. I think that's about the time I heard of the idea to use J-B Weld to repair customer, rental, and my own controllers. Anyone remember buying the brush on rubber coating Parma used to sell in the 1970's to paint over the metal triggers?
We all used it as an insulator to heat build up (this was before Parma's "Turbo" series of controllers with their Lexan and then nylon triggers).
Once the J-B Weld is applied and dried completely to a nice smooth finish, I believe it's actually better than the original factory ceramic coating.
I use a standard Sharpie marker pen to identify the ohm rating, date, or any other info directly on the epoxy of the resistor once it's ready for use.
You can even paint it if you like, but beware -- if you're in the habit of running a hot (temperature) controller, the paint will only make things worse.
I've never tried to dye the epoxy when mixing it, and I don't know if that's even possible.
And of course, this coating process works equally well on both single and double "barrel" resistors.

Hope this information helps to save some resistors and $$$! -- Enjoy the hobby, guys... Ernie

[Man Machine]

Thanks for the info Big E!

I used to race group 15 back in the 80s. I used the double barrel 1ohm "Wet wound" resistors. I thought that they used a coating like jb weld.

Thanks for the money saving info! Going to refurb them with new triggers, silver contacts, and a micro switch for full power just like the ones I built in the 80s!

Thanks again!

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[BIG E]

MM,
Glad to be of service.
Long live slot car racing using ceramic resistor controllers, without all the electronic chokes, pots, and relays hanging all over the place! :>)
(Anyone using an electronic controller is more than welcome to race with me, unless rules forbid it).

Enjoy! -- Ernie

[Man Machine]

I found an article on SCI on the subject. Good read!

I would post the URL but I'm using my tab.

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