Technics 'silver' knobs - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Otari5050 · 13th Dec 2015, 4:42 am

A lot of Technics products from the 80s have plastic knobs/levers that are sprayed with a silver paint.
I haven't yet worked out what process they used.
Problem is the silver wears off over time.

Has anyone successfully restored these types of knobs?

dseymo1 · 13th Dec 2015, 9:24 am

If they're the sort I'm thinking of, I believe they were coated by vacuum deposition.
There is a 'chrome' aerosol paint available (Plasticote?), which can give very convincing results, but it's difficult to apply, and not very durable IME.

Otari5050 · 13th Dec 2015, 10:05 am

Vacuum deposition sounds realistic. They don't look like they were spray painted - the coating is too uniform.
The colour is more a metallic silver than a shiny chrome.
I'm going to talk to a guy who does airbrushing to see if he can get a similar finish, and how durable it may be.
Thanks for your comments!

13th Dec 2015, 4:42 am	#1
Otari5050 Pentode Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Wellington - New Zealand Posts: 112	Technics 'silver' knobs A lot of Technics products from the 80s have plastic knobs/levers that are sprayed with a silver paint. I haven't yet worked out what process they used. Problem is the silver wears off over time. Has anyone successfully restored these types of knobs?

13th Dec 2015, 9:24 am	#2
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Technics 'silver' knobs If they're the sort I'm thinking of, I believe they were coated by vacuum deposition. There is a 'chrome' aerosol paint available (Plasticote?), which can give very convincing results, but it's difficult to apply, and not very durable IME.

13th Dec 2015, 10:05 am	#3
Otari5050 Pentode Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Wellington - New Zealand Posts: 112	Re: Technics 'silver' knobs Vacuum deposition sounds realistic. They don't look like they were spray painted - the coating is too uniform. The colour is more a metallic silver than a shiny chrome. I'm going to talk to a guy who does airbrushing to see if he can get a similar finish, and how durable it may be. Thanks for your comments!