Roberts badges, chrome effect. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

stevekendal · 26th Nov 2005, 8:15 pm

The Roberts badge on my R200 has lost all of it,s finish and the silver paint I tried looks awful. What does the team recommend?

Steve.

howard · 26th Nov 2005, 9:52 pm

Hello Steve,

A new badge maybe ? No silver ones left at Roberts but they do have the gold ones, (£1.75 + VAT + £4.50 P&P !) an exact fit for the R200.
I havent found a silver paint that looks as anywhere as good as the original finish, but plasticoat chrome effect spray paint is probably the best.

Howard

PWH · 27th Nov 2005, 10:57 am

I have never found any chrome paint that looks like chrome.

I have used the plasticote stuff which is the best I have found, but find it rather dull but a good match for nickel or pewter. I would try and get a new one.

stevekendal · 27th Nov 2005, 10:00 pm

So how did they do the chrome on the originals? Cant be electroplating!

Steve.

joe · 28th Nov 2005, 1:22 am

Steve
Could it have been anodised? If it was then then I think that a hunt for replacement knobs may well be the only practical answer.

Joe

howard · 28th Nov 2005, 1:26 am

Hello Steve,

Oh yes it is electroplating, firstly the plastic is coated in ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin and this is then electroplated.

Howard

stevekendal · 25th Jan 2006, 9:16 pm

On stumbling into an electoplating shop today, I asked about doing my plastic badges and they werent sure except that it was a far from simple process to do plastic. Perhaps the just didnt want to bother.

Steve.

Mike Phelan · 26th Jan 2006, 9:50 am

Steve
Spotted this:
http://alsacorp.com/chrome.htm
There is also "Hobby's" [sic] who have been issuing a catalogue for years - they were called "Hobbies". They have a web site, but I could not remember the URL.
I got some 'chrome' paint from them for an R200 badge, and it really did look good.
I'll send more details when I find it, if anyone wants.

Drifton · 26th Jan 2006, 12:27 pm

Isn’t there a process for plating polymers called flash plating? I think the process is where the component is hung in a vacuum chamber and a filament of plating material (chrome I assume) is clamped between two terminals. The air is then sucked out and a current passed through the filament ‘til it burns out. Then everything in the atomised path gets plated… rather like that coating you sometimes get on the inside of a bulb when it blows.

Dave

joe · 26th Jan 2006, 5:10 pm

Yup, Dave, there is.
Thats what I've always thought was meant by anodised.

Joe

RobinBirch · 26th Jan 2006, 10:38 pm

No,
Anodising is where a piece of metal is put in a tank and connected as the anode in a circuit. The chemicals in the tank then put a finish onto the metal. The typical one this is done to is Aluminium and the finish is anti corrosion and can also be used to colour the surface.

Robin

Mike Phelan · 27th Jan 2006, 9:19 am

Hobby's are very useful for small hinges/catches/nails/tiny woodscrews for radio stuff, but you need a catalogue to find the part numbers!!

Graham
I remember the Dereham company - spent ages drooling over their fretmachines when I was small.

Sam · 27th Jan 2006, 9:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Phelan

There is also "Hobby's" [sic] who have been issuing a catalogue for years - they were called "Hobbies".

Here we go: Hobbies of Dereham. I thought I recognised the name when people said it - I have spent many hours killing time in Dereham waiting for a motorbike to pass/fail an MoT!

Sam

Mike Phelan · 27th Jan 2006, 8:23 pm

As promised, I had a look at the chrome paint aerosol that I used - it is none other than our old friend Humbrol - "Just Metallics" to be precise. My R200 badge looked quite good.

GJR 11L · 29th Mar 2006, 10:27 pm

For an alternative to painting, have a look at this.

The one on the right is replated with aluminium foil, brushed with superglue, stuck to the badge then peeled leaving the bright finish on the face of the letters. The one on the left is sprayed with Plasticote. Easy decision then, off to Wilkos for some kitchen foil! Don't use the turkey foil though, it's too thick.

Tom_I · 5th Sep 2007, 7:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drifton

Isn’t there a process for plating polymers called flash plating?

It's called vacuum plating or vacuum metallisation. There are a couple of links here and here.

Tom

Aerodyne · 6th Sep 2007, 4:42 pm

That is a neat trick with the foil, one I'll have to remember. Great result!
Mike, I believe the thing with the 'Hobby's' and 'Hobbies' is that there are, or were, two different and competing firms. Hobbies produced the fretwork machines, but W. Hobby also produce a catalogue very much the same as the Hobbies one. I've seen both firms advertising on the same page in the classifieds in old woodworking magazines. Whether the latter firm 'Hobby's' is still operating I couldn't say.
Unless, of course, you know different...
-Tony

GJR 11L · 6th Sep 2007, 6:38 pm

Tony, the thing with that technique is that a very steady hand was needed, I have attempted it with a couple of badges since, but the less stylish ones on R600s, 707 etc. are harder to trim of excess foil if there's a need to do so and have not worked that well!

I just buy the new, gold-effect ones now for any R200, 300, 500, RT1, 7, or 8 that need one.

Mike Phelan · 7th Sep 2007, 8:29 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerodyne

[ ... ]Whether the latter firm 'Hobby's' is still operating I couldn't say.
Unless, of course, you know different...
-Tony

I see, Tony; somehow I incorrectly thought there was some connection between Hobbies and Hobby's - I do get an annual catalogue from these latter who are still here.

26th Nov 2005, 8:15 pm	#1
stevekendal Heptode Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kendal, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 625	Roberts badges, chrome effect. The Roberts badge on my R200 has lost all of it,s finish and the silver paint I tried looks awful. What does the team recommend? Steve.

26th Nov 2005, 9:52 pm	#2
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Roberts badges, chrome effect. Hello Steve, A new badge maybe ? No silver ones left at Roberts but they do have the gold ones, (£1.75 + VAT + £4.50 P&P !) an exact fit for the R200. I havent found a silver paint that looks as anywhere as good as the original finish, but plasticoat chrome effect spray paint is probably the best. Howard Last edited by howard; 26th Nov 2005 at 9:56 pm.

27th Nov 2005, 10:57 am	#3
PWH Heptode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Posts: 503	Roberts badges, chrome effect. I have never found any chrome paint that looks like chrome. I have used the plasticote stuff which is the best I have found, but find it rather dull but a good match for nickel or pewter. I would try and get a new one.

27th Nov 2005, 10:00 pm	#4
stevekendal Heptode Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kendal, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 625	Roberts badges, chrome effect. So how did they do the chrome on the originals? Cant be electroplating! Steve.

28th Nov 2005, 1:22 am	#5
joe Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Edgware, North London. Posts: 307	Roberts badges, chrome effect. Steve Could it have been anodised? If it was then then I think that a hunt for replacement knobs may well be the only practical answer. Joe

28th Nov 2005, 1:26 am	#6
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Roberts badges, chrome effect. Hello Steve, Oh yes it is electroplating, firstly the plastic is coated in ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin and this is then electroplated. Howard

25th Jan 2006, 9:16 pm	#7
stevekendal Heptode Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kendal, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 625	Roberts badges, chrome effect. On stumbling into an electoplating shop today, I asked about doing my plastic badges and they werent sure except that it was a far from simple process to do plastic. Perhaps the just didnt want to bother. Steve.

26th Jan 2006, 9:50 am	#8
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Roberts badges, chrome effect. Steve Spotted this: http://alsacorp.com/chrome.htm There is also "Hobby's" [sic] who have been issuing a catalogue for years - they were called "Hobbies". They have a web site, but I could not remember the URL. I got some 'chrome' paint from them for an R200 badge, and it really did look good. I'll send more details when I find it, if anyone wants. __________________ Mike.

26th Jan 2006, 12:27 pm	#9
Drifton Pentode Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cambridge... in that country formally know as 'Great Britain' Posts: 54	Roberts badges, chrome effect. Isn’t there a process for plating polymers called flash plating? I think the process is where the component is hung in a vacuum chamber and a filament of plating material (chrome I assume) is clamped between two terminals. The air is then sucked out and a current passed through the filament ‘til it burns out. Then everything in the atomised path gets plated… rather like that coating you sometimes get on the inside of a bulb when it blows. Dave __________________ "Ah! The news".CLICK-nothing-nothing-still nothing-"whistle-zzz...and now for the weather”. "Hmph"!

26th Jan 2006, 5:10 pm	#10
joe Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Edgware, North London. Posts: 307	Roberts badges, chrome effect. Yup, Dave, there is. Thats what I've always thought was meant by anodised. Joe

26th Jan 2006, 10:38 pm	#11
RobinBirch Hexode Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cotswolds, UK. Posts: 465	Roberts badges, chrome effect. No, Anodising is where a piece of metal is put in a tank and connected as the anode in a circuit. The chemicals in the tank then put a finish onto the metal. The typical one this is done to is Aluminium and the finish is anti corrosion and can also be used to colour the surface. Robin

27th Jan 2006, 9:19 am	#12
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Roberts badges, chrome effect. Hobby's are very useful for small hinges/catches/nails/tiny woodscrews for radio stuff, but you need a catalogue to find the part numbers!! Graham I remember the Dereham company - spent ages drooling over their fretmachines when I was small. __________________ Mike.

27th Jan 2006, 8:23 pm	#14
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Roberts badges, chrome effect. As promised, I had a look at the chrome paint aerosol that I used - it is none other than our old friend Humbrol - "Just Metallics" to be precise. My R200 badge looked quite good. __________________ Mike.

29th Mar 2006, 10:27 pm	#15
GJR 11L Heptode Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ellington, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 815	Roberts badges, chrome effect. For an alternative to painting, have a look at this. The one on the right is replated with aluminium foil, brushed with superglue, stuck to the badge then peeled leaving the bright finish on the face of the letters. The one on the left is sprayed with Plasticote. Easy decision then, off to Wilkos for some kitchen foil! Don't use the turkey foil though, it's too thick. Attached Thumbnails __________________ John. Last edited by Darren-UK; 5th Sep 2007 at 6:36 pm. Reason: Merged from another thread.

6th Sep 2007, 4:42 pm	#17
Aerodyne Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK. Posts: 1,698	Re: Roberts badges, chrome effect. That is a neat trick with the foil, one I'll have to remember. Great result! Mike, I believe the thing with the 'Hobby's' and 'Hobbies' is that there are, or were, two different and competing firms. Hobbies produced the fretwork machines, but W. Hobby also produce a catalogue very much the same as the Hobbies one. I've seen both firms advertising on the same page in the classifieds in old woodworking magazines. Whether the latter firm 'Hobby's' is still operating I couldn't say. Unless, of course, you know different... -Tony

6th Sep 2007, 6:38 pm	#18
GJR 11L Heptode Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ellington, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 815	Re: Roberts badges, chrome effect. Tony, the thing with that technique is that a very steady hand was needed, I have attempted it with a couple of badges since, but the less stylish ones on R600s, 707 etc. are harder to trim of excess foil if there's a need to do so and have not worked that well! I just buy the new, gold-effect ones now for any R200, 300, 500, RT1, 7, or 8 that need one. __________________ John.