Switch / knob lettering - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

350i · 20th Aug 2015, 9:50 am

Hi all
I need to repair the cream coloured lettering on some bakelite switches etc. I tried carefully using paint with the idea of wiping off the excess with solvent, but because the Bakelite is absorbent to some degree (and the surface is quite rough) it has also coloured the switch. Any body had success with other ways?
The original lettering seems to be soft and easily damaged, in fact it washed out with soapy water, might this be wax? I remember there was a post a good while ago about using special crayons made just for this purpose, anyone know where to get them from?
Thanks
Trevor

Restoration73 · 20th Aug 2015, 12:16 pm

Was this the one
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=775468

Refugee · 20th Aug 2015, 2:14 pm

I slightly under fill the lettering with Tip-Ex and then carefully add a fine coat of spirit based wood varnish after the Tip-Ex has dried.

frankmcvey · 20th Aug 2015, 3:16 pm

No experience of these people, but it sounds as if this is what you need:

Mastergrave

Cheers,

Frank

350i · 20th Aug 2015, 8:04 pm

Thanks for the replies. Great results with the tipex there. I've used this before on Murphy knobs and it worked well, but decided not to chance it on these ones because they seem so porous and it would be difficult to clean back off.
Many thanks for the links. The soft wax sticks seem to be the way to go for these knobs, reasonably priced too.
Cheers
Trevor

vidjoman · 20th Aug 2015, 9:48 pm

Perhaps you could varnish the knobs first so the wax, or whatever you use, will not soak into the porous surface.

frankmcvey · 21st Aug 2015, 1:22 pm

Sure. There are all sorts of other things you can use the soft wax sticks for as well. If you shave bits off different coloured sticks into a teaspoon you can gently warm it with a lighter or hot air gun to mix a wax of any colour you need for filling small holes in areas that don't get much wear and tear.

You can also use it for filling the grub-screw holes in your radio knobs - useful if you have an ac/dc (ie live) chassis radio.

Cheers,

Frank

lanthorn · 4th Sep 2015, 10:48 am

I've had success using antique white acrylic paint on some old Bakelite knobs. I cleaned out the engraving with a small tool, then dabbed on some of the acrylic into the engraving. Let it dry. Once dry I rub off the excess with a damp microfibre cloth. Since the acrylic is water soluble it's easy to remove without any thinners. It perfectly fine for indoor use. What's then left it the filled in acrylic paint in the engraving.

20th Aug 2015, 9:50 am	#1
350i Triode Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 48	Switch / knob lettering Hi all I need to repair the cream coloured lettering on some bakelite switches etc. I tried carefully using paint with the idea of wiping off the excess with solvent, but because the Bakelite is absorbent to some degree (and the surface is quite rough) it has also coloured the switch. Any body had success with other ways? The original lettering seems to be soft and easily damaged, in fact it washed out with soapy water, might this be wax? I remember there was a post a good while ago about using special crayons made just for this purpose, anyone know where to get them from? Thanks Trevor

20th Aug 2015, 12:16 pm	#2
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Switch / knob lettering Was this the one https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=775468

20th Aug 2015, 2:14 pm	#3
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: Switch / knob lettering I slightly under fill the lettering with Tip-Ex and then carefully add a fine coat of spirit based wood varnish after the Tip-Ex has dried. Attached Thumbnails

20th Aug 2015, 3:16 pm	#4
frankmcvey Rest in Peace Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cottesmore, East Midlands, UK. Posts: 858	Re: Switch / knob lettering No experience of these people, but it sounds as if this is what you need: Mastergrave Cheers, Frank

20th Aug 2015, 8:04 pm	#5
350i Triode Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 48	Re: Switch / knob lettering Thanks for the replies. Great results with the tipex there. I've used this before on Murphy knobs and it worked well, but decided not to chance it on these ones because they seem so porous and it would be difficult to clean back off. Many thanks for the links. The soft wax sticks seem to be the way to go for these knobs, reasonably priced too. Cheers Trevor

20th Aug 2015, 9:48 pm	#6
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Switch / knob lettering Perhaps you could varnish the knobs first so the wax, or whatever you use, will not soak into the porous surface.

21st Aug 2015, 1:22 pm	#7
frankmcvey Rest in Peace Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Cottesmore, East Midlands, UK. Posts: 858	Re: Switch / knob lettering Sure. There are all sorts of other things you can use the soft wax sticks for as well. If you shave bits off different coloured sticks into a teaspoon you can gently warm it with a lighter or hot air gun to mix a wax of any colour you need for filling small holes in areas that don't get much wear and tear. You can also use it for filling the grub-screw holes in your radio knobs - useful if you have an ac/dc (ie live) chassis radio. Cheers, Frank

4th Sep 2015, 10:48 am	#8
lanthorn Diode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 7	Re: Switch / knob lettering I've had success using antique white acrylic paint on some old Bakelite knobs. I cleaned out the engraving with a small tool, then dabbed on some of the acrylic into the engraving. Let it dry. Once dry I rub off the excess with a damp microfibre cloth. Since the acrylic is water soluble it's easy to remove without any thinners. It perfectly fine for indoor use. What's then left it the filled in acrylic paint in the engraving.