Spraying transistor speaker grilles - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Martin Bush · 21st Jan 2016, 5:48 pm

Hi all

I have a host of hacker and Roberts transistor sets each with some paint loss on the grilles.

I masked up and sprayed my 505 this morning and the results were 80% there. I am blaming either the tape I used to mask the unpainted stripes - I got a bit of paint ingress. So it looks OK, but not as good as I want.

So, how do I get the tape so well stuck that no paint gets under? Better tape (I used some from a car paint retailer)? or is there a roller you can use to get it perfect?

For sets with just the odd ding, is there a technique to tackle that? Is without resorting g to mask and spray.

Martin

dseymo1 · 21st Jan 2016, 5:55 pm

I've not tried it, but a possibility is 'frisket' - a sort of liquid mask.
It might be possible to roll it onto the necessary areas using a firm roller.
Probably simpler is the 'apply approximately, then rub off' methods described in the recent thread about filling engraved legends.

Martin Bush · 21st Jan 2016, 7:00 pm

I'm looking for very straight edges. Would it work for that?

dseymo1 · 21st Jan 2016, 8:04 pm

Yes, its primary use is in graphic arts (airbrushed illustrations, for example).
There are several grades from a number of manufacturers, so finding the most suitable might be difficult.
Alternatively, would one of the 'magic marker' type car touch-up things work? For 'the odd ding', I have sussessfully used a normal spirit marker.
I wonder how the grilles were done originally, though?

Martin Bush · 21st Jan 2016, 8:21 pm

I will look into it. So far I have found a video online... Sadly one of those American ones that go on all afternoon.

I guess the originals were done en masse using a machine or standardised process. I got the tape straight when i did mine, but I guess not airtight in all places.

For the dings I'll invest in a pen. It will take skill to apply it and not leave it blobby I have expect.

21st Jan 2016, 5:48 pm	#1
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,910	Spraying transistor speaker grilles Hi all I have a host of hacker and Roberts transistor sets each with some paint loss on the grilles. I masked up and sprayed my 505 this morning and the results were 80% there. I am blaming either the tape I used to mask the unpainted stripes - I got a bit of paint ingress. So it looks OK, but not as good as I want. So, how do I get the tape so well stuck that no paint gets under? Better tape (I used some from a car paint retailer)? or is there a roller you can use to get it perfect? For sets with just the odd ding, is there a technique to tackle that? Is without resorting g to mask and spray. Martin

21st Jan 2016, 5:55 pm	#2
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Spraying transistor speaker grilles I've not tried it, but a possibility is 'frisket' - a sort of liquid mask. It might be possible to roll it onto the necessary areas using a firm roller. Probably simpler is the 'apply approximately, then rub off' methods described in the recent thread about filling engraved legends.

21st Jan 2016, 7:00 pm	#3
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,910	Re: Spraying transistor speaker grilles I'm looking for very straight edges. Would it work for that?

21st Jan 2016, 8:04 pm	#4
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Spraying transistor speaker grilles Yes, its primary use is in graphic arts (airbrushed illustrations, for example). There are several grades from a number of manufacturers, so finding the most suitable might be difficult. Alternatively, would one of the 'magic marker' type car touch-up things work? For 'the odd ding', I have sussessfully used a normal spirit marker. I wonder how the grilles were done originally, though?

21st Jan 2016, 8:21 pm	#5
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,910	Re: Spraying transistor speaker grilles I will look into it. So far I have found a video online... Sadly one of those American ones that go on all afternoon. I guess the originals were done en masse using a machine or standardised process. I got the tape straight when i did mine, but I guess not airtight in all places. For the dings I'll invest in a pen. It will take skill to apply it and not leave it blobby I have expect.