Restoring Hockey Pucks & Butterfly's

[jaudette3]

I've got a large number of hockey pucks and butterfly's that I'm getting ready to restore. I know others here have tackled this and I'm hoping for some help. I have the following questions:

o Is there a trick to removing the metal ring? I know it has tabs on the back that need to be bent back, and I've fiddled around with a couple, but they seem pretty firmly mounted. I'm aware that the rings are pretty fragile and I'm afraid to ruin one.

o Were the rings originally chrome or nickel plated?

o What do you think of powder coating the wings once the puck is removed? Or would it be better to paint it?

Thanks for your input.

JohnA

[MTemp]

Hello there,

I did mine (batwing type) per page 5 of this thread

http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/vie...33207&start=60

This was an unmolested June 66 swb. The ring was chrome plated, and I painted the wheel/wing satin black. The trick to the ring is the small 'pip' on one of the tabs on the ring. Find this and try to get it to release first. Also make sure its in the right location when refitting.

Mick

[Jack]

Hello,

I just changed the leather of my hockey puck! For the ring, it's quite fragile and you have to pay attention when you bend the small parts (sorry, my english is too short to find the right word…). When all the small parts are straight, push vertically with a strong screw diver (or any tool appropriate) on the top of the small parts, from inside the hockey puck, of course, every part in a row, gently, and the string should get out. The first time I did it, the string sticked a little bit to the hockey puck. Be patient!

If you destroy the string I give you a website you can buy a new one. Very expensive by the way…

http://www.sierramadrecollection.com...&search=button

Good luck

[Jack]

Sorry, I wrote string instead of ring… I told you about my poor english

[Jay Laifman]

I had two that I wanted to make one good one out of. There were two different rings - at least on the ones I have. One was chrome, one was an alloy of some sort. Admittedly, I could not get that chrome one off without damaging it. The alloy one was easier, but not easy.

I also have two different shaped leather parts. One was flat an the other was domed. I think the domed one came off of a puck, not wings. I'm sure that others know exactly the different models for each. But, thought I'd mention it.

[jaudette3]

I'm almost done restoring a number of pucks and butterflies. These are a bit more involved to do than I had anticipated, Here are a few things I've discovered along the way:

(1) As mentioned, there are two types of trim rings. The one I have most often seen is brass. It's pretty fragile and easy to damage in removal. I'm not sure of the material of the other one but it is much sturdier. Both types can be replated to a high standard.

(2) Powder coating works very well for the butterflies. With one caveat. The metal has a tendency to off gas which causes little "volcanos" and "pimples" in the finish. The can be overcome by first applying a primer that seals the metal and stops the off gassing and then applying the normal powder coat.

(3) The reproduction center leather rounds that are available are nice enough but I've purchased them from two different vendors and they're both very different from originals. They differ in the leather grain and in the details of the imprint.

(4) As long as the original leather is not damaged it's usually possible to bring it back. I use the miraculous leather conditioner from Leatherique. I haven't had to dye any yet, but I don't foresee any problem if it was needed. I do like the authenticity of a little brown patina.

(5) The leather should round out in a little dome when mounted, but oftentimes the foam used for that has disintegrated. I found perfect replacement foam at the Michaels craft shop (I think I was the only man in there at the time).

(6) The mounting hardware is available from Sierra Madre (and perhaps others) but is expensive. I'm fortunate to have a bag of it that I've accumulated over the years. I bead blast it before screwing it on.

These can be restored to a very high level if you're willing to take a little time.

JohnA

[Cliff]

There was a seller on eBay that sold a reproduction of these. Haven't looked for or seen the add lately.

[jaudette3]

I just removed a leather button - here's a picture of the original foam:



JohnA

[StephenAcworth]

Details on the foam from Michaels craft shop please...

[RTincher]

John, thanks for starting this thread, I've struggled with rebuilding these also. I have had good success with re-chroming the trim ring, but removal and installation is difficult.

I have three of these, one of which has the small tab for the horn ground wire, and two which do not have a ground tab. Can someone explain the horn ground wire connection for the versions without the tab?

The attached picture shows what I believe to be the correct assembly sequence for the button, going counterclockwise from the black plastic base.

Also, I am missing one of the three maroon spacers that go under the screws where I show two on the right of the picture. Does anyone have one of those they would like to sell? It doesn't appear that they are included in the Sierra Madre harware kit?

Best,

Bob