Repainting Lettering on Brushes

[stringtyer]

What process/paint do you use to repaint the lettering on your brush restorations? How do you get the paint in the letters without getting it all over the brush body and, when it gets on the body, how do you get it off without over-scratching the body?

[IrkMe]

Others might post a better way but for me I would use modelers enamel (testors etc )

Give the surrounding area a quick polish (helps removal of any overpainting)

Paint in the letters with a small brush or let it flow into the gaps with a cocktail stick, filling in the letters is a better discription.

Once the paint is tacky (hr or so) wipe off any excess, if its too cured but not totally dry Duraglit wadding works well to shift it.

Final polish if required, Duraglit wadding again just to shift any possible residue but if you've allready used it to shift the paint you wont need it.

I'd wait untill some true restorers post, I might be making more work than needed but "Every days a school day" so I might learn something too :001_smile

[SpartanFan]

I have restored several brushes with varying degrees of success. I have used automotive paint - the retouch vials that come with a brush and a pen tip. It has worked well but I have not used Testors so I don't have knowledge to compare. I know many guys use Testors and I think they have good results. One processes I have done is to remove as much of the old paint as possible then paint over and fill in the lettering, let it dry and then sand down flush to revel the lettering. This works well as long as the lettering is stamped in deep and clear. One brush I did I wish I had not sanded down so much because the lettering got a little thin. One think I have thought about trying is to apply the paint with the tip of a needle and try and keep the surface as clean as possible. This can be easier said than done. Each brush is kind of a new test. Always remember than you can sand the handles smooth with some time and effort to remove most mistakes.

[stringtyer]

Thanks for the tips. I have not done any model making in years (and years) so have not thought of using Testors. Have any of you had any luck - or experience - with fingernail polish?

I like the idea of trying to letter with the tip of a needle. If I can find a very small hypodermic needle, I may give that a shot, also. I bought a cheap set of jeweler's lenses (the kind you clip to your glasses) at Harbor Freight that will be helpful.

Any other ideas will be more than appreciated.

[dalecooper51]

I use the Sharpie oil based paint pens to apply the paint.

They make them with different width tips.

Most of the time I just fill the letters in and when it is just about dry, I take off the over flow. Once dry, I polish with flitz or something.

[Mack]

I use the Sharpie oil based paint pens to apply the paint.

They make them with different width tips.

Most of the time I just fill the letters in and when it is just about dry, I take off the over flow. Once dry, I polish with flitz or something.

In another thread I read, someone recommended "oil paint crayons." I'm not sure if this is the same type of thing you're referring to or whether it's like an oil based pastel crayon. The technique described was the same.

[MentalFloss]

I've dripped a toothpick in artist oil paint with success ..I was also thinking of using a thick hair.. like a hair tail hair. This might sound weird but I found one of my cat's whiskers on the couch and I kept it I think it will work perfectly.....Got a cat?:blink:

[DavyRay]

There are crayons for this. They are safe to use. Try a Google search on "clarinet crayon".
Here is a video from hornfixer (actually mrs. hornfixer).

JxPO_RXx2Ug

Jump to about half-way to see the crayon/paint stick part.

[danparker77]

There are crayons for this. They are safe to use. Try a Google search on "clarinet crayon".
Here is a video from hornfixer (actually mrs. hornfixer).



Jump to about half-way to see the crayon/paint stick part.

are they water poof?

[DavyRay]

are they water proof?

Clarinet repairs have to stand up to abuse by middle school students. Spit is part of the environment. Yes it is waterproof stuff. I can tell that you are not a band geek.

[danparker77]

Clarinet repairs have to stand up to abuse by middle school students. Spit is part of the environment. Yes it is waterproof stuff. I can tell that you are not a band geek.

Nope never was in band. Isn't there a saying something like "If you can't take the hit, try sitting with the band." :tongue_sm

[stringtyer]

DavyRay ... great observation about the need for the crayon to be waterproof (at least water resistant). I spent my college years in the NCSU Wolfpack Band (the Power Sound of the South) and we played in whatever weather there was at half-time.

Now, about your comment, Dan ... shame, shame on you. While it is the professional football players who make the big bucks, it's the nerds and geeks who run the world (think Bill Gates). Besides, if not for the band, who would people ignore at half-time.

[stringtyer]

..I was also thinking of using a thick hair.. like a hair tail hair. This might sound weird but I found one of my cat's whiskers on the couch and I kept it I think it will work perfectly.....Got a cat?:blink:

Great idea about using a thick hair but I have found that a single hair is difficult to use. The paint does not want to run down the hair and off the tip. I think it would be better to use two hairs with the tips aligned. That way, the paint could flow as ink does in a pen. Hmmmmm ... now where did my dog get off to?

[vitaman]

What process/paint do you use to repaint the lettering on your brush restorations? How do you get the paint in the letters without getting it all over the brush body and, when it gets on the body, how do you get it off without over-scratching the body?

Hi stringtyer, I've done about 15 ever-ready restores and painting the lettering was included. The method I use is....if the lettering is not worn down too much, simply use a craft paint and a 1/4 in. or so craft paintbrush and paint (with a full stroke all the way across) the lettering. Right after wipe off with thumb and if letters are deep enough the paint will stay when wiped. It's a little hard to explain. Hope this helps if not PM me.

[mattymatt]

I have allot of experience making scale models and I would use testers enamel paint, wipe the excess paint off with a cloth dipped in paint remover. I would not use finger nail polish.

[MentalFloss]

Just watched the clip with the clarinet crayon.I believe she is using the same product that you fill in nail holes when doing carpentry. She said she gets them at hardware stores and they do come in various colors. I think it's worth a shot