Painting recessed lettering

[mickyfinn]

Restoring a 1946 Seeburg jukebox wallbox.It has 20 transparent red plastic push buttons around a half inch square with recessed numbering from 1-20.The numbers were originally painted gold but 70 years of wear has worn the gold away.Internet search results include brushing the paint on and quickly wiping off the excess,same thing but let the excess dry then scrape off the excess,using a hypodermic syringe to fill the recess with paint etc.Can anyone advise which of these or perhaps suggest a more effective or easier method.
Thanks
Mick

[Restoration73]

Soft filler wax may be easier
http://www.engravingsupplies.co.nz/e...g-consumables/

[emeritus]

You could try using one of the a very small brushes that you can get in model shops for painting in fine detail in plastic construction kits. You could get a small (14ml) pot of gold paint there as well, e.g. Humbrol No. 16.

[joebog1]

Paint on!! I use Humbrol enamels ( still, if anybody remembers them)
I wrap a piece of clean soft cloth like a handkerchief or an old pillow slip, one layer only,
MOISTENED with turps ( mineral turpentine) around my index finger and gently remove the excess. leave the remainder to dry!!

Its worked for me for more than 50 years.

Joe

[mark pirate]

I too use Humbrol enamel paint, depending on how large and deep the lettering is, I either use a tiny artists brush or just cover the text in paint and wipe away the excess.

Mark

[Radio Wrangler]

If the engraving is wide, wiping while wet will often wipe the paint out of the groove. Scraping the surplus off can leave scratches.

There isn't really one ideal way. They'll all work, they all need care.

I wipe with a paint-soaked bit of cloth to leave deep paint in the groove but minimal around it. I leave it to dry but not fully harden, and then use thinners on a cloth to remove the paint from the surface. It takes a little off the surface of the paint in the groove, but leaves plenty.

David

[mickyfinn]

Lots of great ideas there thanks all.Couldnt find prices on the coloured wax website.The lettering is quite small.I'll get a tin of Humbrol today and give it a blast.
Mick

[ms660]

Bottom of section 2, describes various methods:

http://uphill.org.uk/pages/engineeri...nual/th_01.htm

Lawrence.

[lesmw0sec]

Originally Posted by mickyfinn

Lots of great ideas there thanks all.Couldnt find prices on the coloured wax website.The lettering is quite small.I'll get a tin of Humbrol today and give it a blast.

Try:
http://www.pantograph.co.uk/index.htm

A UK company which I have found very helpful.

Les.

[Oldcodger]

Originally Posted by joebog1

Paint on!! I use Humbrol enamels ( still, if anybody remembers them)
I wrap a piece of clean soft cloth like a handkerchief or an old pillow slip, one layer only,
MOISTENED with turps ( mineral turpentine) around my index finger and gently remove the excess. leave the remainder to dry!!

Its worked for me for more than 50 years.

Joe

You could use a cork of correct size, with cloth and cleaning fluid.Oh,and for raised lettering - (tip from the blokes who do gravestones), put paint on the cloth and dab.

[captainking]

Depending how recessed the numbers are you could try lightly rubbing a candle over the button remove any excess that may have dropped into the number recess then paint

Steve

[pastyboy]

in engraving lift control panels we used to dob it in, wipe excess with a business card and when the paint had flashed off surgical spirit on a cotton cloth was the trick to gently remove the traces. Can't remember what paint probably cellulose or maybe shellack alchohol based

[mickyfinn]

Thanks for all suggestions.I ended up using the brush it on and wiping off when semi hardened method then once set giving it a rub with a scotch rite pad.Looks great.
Mick