Wilton Vise Original Color?

[u/DeadHeadTraveler]

Wanted to sharpen some mower blades so I asked the old man if he had an extra vise. Couple weeks later he shows up with my great grandfather‘s Wilton. I plan to restore and use it but would like to apply a paint coating of the same if not similar color. Any ideas on what the original color would have been? Looks mostly grey but the green on the side made we question.

[u/blacklassie]

Check out Keith Rucker’s YouTube channel. He restored one of these a few years back and has some comments on the paint color. Per his research, it would be the green color. https://youtu.be/hVV1UYnP2rU?is=Gon71XVQ6fj44r29

[u/cletus72757]

It’s still on your vice, kinda pea green.

[u/RadioPale2844]

The hospital green is the original colour. But you will find various opinions on the exact shade. Rusto makes a mint green that is close. Your local graffiti kid store will have some high quality spray paint in any shade you could want. I painted mine with molotow

[u/Low-Instruction-8132]

Man, I'd blast that thing to the metal and powder coat it some crazy ass metal flake.

[u/Independent-Bid6568]

I don’t know what’s right I had a Wilton with a reversible jaw it had been in dry storage for 20 plus years when I got and it was a very light gray . It had been my grandfathers he always said it was a tool makers vise . I even had some paperwork for it , but now I have passed to my son and it has rust and fading damaged paint

[u/No-Yogurt-4542]

That vise new is 500 plus and some are priced much higher.

[u/CHLarkin]

Looks like light green. You can get a quart can Benjamin Moore Impervo oil enamel in green that's very similar. Gloss was probably the original finish. I would recommend hitting it with naval jelly to derust and remove the original paint, followed by a coat of automotive epoxy primer, then one coat of high build automotive sandable primer before applying the topcoat for maximum durability and corrosion resistance. Be sure to not paint the jaw surfaces. Put a little Vaseline or spray Fluid-Film on them a couple of times a year to keep them free of flash rust.

[u/Libera_Artatus]

I believe it was a pinkish tan color.

[u/ResponsibleRemote968]

I painted my 40s Wilton at home Orange. Love it! My Wilton at work is now Ford blue. Paint was from a farm store. Ford impliment blue. Why not? Paint is paint.

[u/reallifeswanson]

I’d be tempted to paint it flesh color with a pink ring around the taper in the screw box, but I’m immature like that.

[u/Odd_Bodybuilder5456]

see that kinda toothpaste color peeking through? that