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Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
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2nd Jul 2013, 9:18 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 160
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Using marker pens in restoration work
This might be old hat but for some time I've been using permanent marker pens for parts where repainting can at best be at bit fiddly.
Some examples are: When removing and refitting the speaker and meter switches on the front panels of my Racal RA17s I invariably chip the finish on the securing nuts. Now, I refit the switches then go over all of the nut with a fine-tipped black marker. I'm currently restoring a Larkspur Wireless Set B44 Mk3. The metal speaker grille, which was badly scuffed with bare metal showing, is located behind vertical die-cast bars that form part of the front panel. Rather than try to remove the speaker ( and possibly more ) I went over the visible parts of the grille with a dark green marker. I hope I'll be forgiven for this one! I'm also restoring a Bush VHF61. The control knobs have spray paint in the grooves (caused by me!) which I had great difficulty in removing. Again, using a fine-tipped black marker I "coloured" in all the grooves. In all three examples you'd be hard pressed to tell that marker pen has been used. I don't suppose it would be suitable for heavy usage parts; in the case of the Bush time will tell. If the marker pen ink gets where it shouldn't on Bakelite or paintwork, a squirt of hair spray on a cotton bud does a good job of removing it. Regards, Lee. Last edited by frglee21; 2nd Jul 2013 at 9:48 pm. |
2nd Jul 2013, 9:27 pm | #2 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edinburgh, UK.
Posts: 2,008
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Re: Using marker pens in restoration work
I regularly use them for touching up after repairs to the vinyl covering on the cases of amplifiers and speakers. Sometimes the marker ink is too shiny so a wipe over with a finger just before it dries is very effective in dulling it down. Not sure if that would work as well on a metal part but worth a try.
Al
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2nd Jul 2013, 11:53 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Worthing, West Sussex, UK
Posts: 5,185
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Re: Using marker pens in restoration work
I have used permanent markers to touch in wooden cabinets with good results, I believe you can buy markers just for this very task.
Mark |
3rd Jul 2013, 7:49 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Oxford, UK.
Posts: 17,820
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Re: Using marker pens in restoration work
I used to do this all the time as a kid "restoring" my jumble sale purchases. It's nice to know the grown-ups do it too!
I sometimes use those silver paint felt-tips too, e.g. for touching-up hammer effect silvery paint on the surround of VHF90As, and where the silvering's worn off raised letters (e.g. the "Thorens" emblem on the TD150). N. |
3rd Jul 2013, 8:15 pm | #5 | |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 1,464
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Re: Using marker pens in restoration work
Quote:
Like Alistair, I to have used the felt pens for years to touch up rexene/tolex on cases with great results. Recently my 'significant other' used a dark brown indelible marker pen to great effect on our leather chesterfield where Plug (one of our erswhile cats....) had got at it. Cheers, Steve. PS Like the scratch marks, Plug is no longer with us. RIP Plug
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Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking... Last edited by fetteler; 3rd Jul 2013 at 8:25 pm. Reason: PS, and a typo! |
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3rd Jul 2013, 8:37 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 3,959
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Re: Using marker pens in restoration work
Difficult to get an exact match with most types of repair, I have found it better to get the repair a shade darker than the surround, lighter is more noticeable. I think darker represents ingrained dirt and leaves a more natural patina.
John. |
3rd Jul 2013, 9:44 pm | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edinburgh, UK.
Posts: 2,008
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Re: Using marker pens in restoration work
Nick, it sure is a top tip.
Al
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8th Jul 2013, 4:09 am | #8 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ashhurst, Manawatu, New Zealand
Posts: 570
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Re: Using marker pens in restoration work
A box of kids crayons do a wonderful job of filling and covering scratches in a wooden cabinet and takes polish well afterwards - sometimes marker pen ink takes on a funny shade when waxed.
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Cheers - Martin ZL2MC |