Scratches on Grundig buttons

[Mike Brett]

Hi
I have just got hold of a Grundig Satelitt 2100 which has not been cherished like it should have been. The main problem is the black top buttons are scratched and showing the aluminium beneath which makes it look rather scruffy.I assume this is some sort of lacquer. Any idea of the best way to restore this without disassemble. I vaguely remember in my camera days that they used to sell a black lacquer stick for touching up camera bodies but I have not seen this for ages. Any ideas of the best way to go about this.
Cheers Mike

[crackle]

Depending on the depth of the scratch, how authentic you want it and how long you want it to last try an indelible felt marker, when done just rub gently with finger to blend it in.
I use a “sharpie” for minor scratches on black anodised aluminium as well.
I used the same on some black anodised alli on my boat, it is still slightly black after exposure to sunlight and rain for 9 months.
Mike

[Alistair D]

I would normally use crackle,s method which is also very good for black vinyl coverings. It might also be worth considering the Edding 780 paint marker. Not sure if this will be too shiny though.

Al

[Audio1950]

How about one of the little tubes of car touch-up paint that have a tiny brush in the top? Halfords sell them.

Barry

[Alistair D]

Or even apply the paint via a needle to control the quantity applied.

Al

[Radio_Dave]

Sound like your 2100 has the, earlier, 2000 painted aluminium style buttons? If so, IMHO, the best solution would be to remove, strip and re-paint

David

[lastx33]

Birchwood Casey make a product called Aluminium Black which is a black touch up paint for guns. I think there is a pen version too. I've not used it but have a titanium camera on which the previous owner said they had used it and it is a pretty good finish. It dries to quite a 'dark' black. I've used felt pens before on brass and titanium camera bodies with scratches and found they tend to dry with a purplish tint but it is okay on very small scratches.

[Mike Brett]

Hi
Thanks for all your suggestions , I will probable try a few of these and see which works out best.
Cheers MIke

[Red Studio]

Originally Posted by Audio1950

How about one of the little tubes of car touch-up paint that have a tiny brush in the top? Halfords sell them.

Barry

I have a black Halfords touch-up pen for the car. It has a fine brush but also a pen nib so may be useful for fine scratches. I find it very tacky and it dries quickly so you don't get much working time. I frequently get lumpy or stringy results if I try to use it on too large an area.

What I have found effective on fine scratches is a Turtle Wax product which I don't remember the name of. It looks like a lipstick and is basically a wax crayon (black in this case) which fills up minor imperfections.

Mitch