How to consolidate flaking paint? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

GMB · 18th Nov 2021, 11:06 am

I have run into this again and still do not have a solution.

So does anyone have a method for stabilising paint that is cracking and flaking off something? I have often run into this problem with meter scales, where the paint clearly doesn't like to stick to the scale material.

I am asking about ways to avoid repainting or changing it completely, but how to conserve the original paint e.g. where the damaged area is not so bad - but will get worse in time.

FIXITNOW · 18th Nov 2021, 11:19 am

I missed the over using an aerosol can off clear lacquer / vanish , just several light coats to stick it all together

stitch1 · 18th Nov 2021, 8:48 pm

On a recent repair programme they were using something designed to do this, not sure if this would work on dials.

https://www.toolstation.com/zinsser-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

John

The Philpott · 19th Nov 2021, 3:17 pm

I recall that-
-The thicker the paint flakes are the easier it is.
-If the flakes are concave or convex from heat saturation it's almost impossible.
-I used clear car paint lacquer in one case, sprayed into the cap then dabbed on. That was 5 years ago and it hasn't yellowed yet. I used it quite wet to allow it to wick under the flakes if possible. Prone to drying rather more quickly than we would like.
Dave

18th Nov 2021, 11:06 am	#1
GMB Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: near Reading (and sometimes Torquay) Posts: 3,094	How to consolidate flaking paint? I have run into this again and still do not have a solution. So does anyone have a method for stabilising paint that is cracking and flaking off something? I have often run into this problem with meter scales, where the paint clearly doesn't like to stick to the scale material. I am asking about ways to avoid repainting or changing it completely, but how to conserve the original paint e.g. where the damaged area is not so bad - but will get worse in time.

18th Nov 2021, 11:19 am	#2
FIXITNOW Octode Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 1,975	Re: How to consolidate flaking paint? I missed the over using an aerosol can off clear lacquer / vanish , just several light coats to stick it all together

18th Nov 2021, 8:48 pm	#3
stitch1 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, County Durham, UK. Posts: 826	Re: How to consolidate flaking paint? On a recent repair programme they were using something designed to do this, not sure if this would work on dials. https://www.toolstation.com/zinsser-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds John

19th Nov 2021, 3:17 pm	#4
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,106	Re: How to consolidate flaking paint? I recall that- -The thicker the paint flakes are the easier it is. -If the flakes are concave or convex from heat saturation it's almost impossible. -I used clear car paint lacquer in one case, sprayed into the cap then dabbed on. That was 5 years ago and it hasn't yellowed yet. I used it quite wet to allow it to wick under the flakes if possible. Prone to drying rather more quickly than we would like. Dave