DAVE R. - Yep, fresh paint does tend to gum things up for a short time, Think we've got several issues going on here at the forum that's been caused by new paint.
Any time you try to fix anything you have the possibility to screw something else up. We've all done that a time or two. I remember reading an engine build-up article, think it was in Hot-Rod years ago, small block Chevy was built. The engine lasted less than a minute on it's maiden run on the dyno. SOMEHOW, a shop rag left in the lifter valley when the intake was installed ended up INSIDE a cylinder. I'm kinda surprised they admitted their mistake, they had NO idea how that rag got into the cylinder and I've never been able to figure it out either. I wonder if they meant it was INSIDE a runner and not UNDER the runners? ;-)
MATT - That box blade looks brand new!