Faded dial numbers on Gillette Adjustable

I got this Gillette Slim Adjustable from eBay. It's in great mechanical shape, and cosmetically pretty nice.
The only problem is that the numbers on the adjuster dial are faded or else the black [enamel?] has partially come off. It's difficult enough to read them without my glasses.



Is there a recommended paint and/or method for restoring them?

I'm thinking to just use Testor's black model enamel, dab it into the numbers with a fine watercolour brush or toothpick, and wipe the excess off with a paper towel. Repeat if necessary.

Anybody ever have to do something like this? How did it turn out and/or how long did it last?

Been there, done that. You got it right.

Use a bright color for your favorite setting or start shaving with your glasses.

paint,or nail polish.the nail polish is new to me but sounds good enough that im going to use it on my next project

I use testors gloss black enamel. Works great using the method you described.

Cheers,
Adam

I second Doug. Testors lacquer instead of an acrylic enamel can be hardened with a blow dryer for an extremely durable repaint. The original paint used by Gillette was lacquer. With that said, their enamel is easy to use, cleans up with soap and warm water when you are finished, and will last for some time. Regardless of the paint you choose- it is an easy project. Repainting the numbers later is no real problem. God Bless! Tony Brown RN mgbbrown

I was going to bestow you with wisdom but you answered your own question.

By the way nice score on the Slim!

Sounds like a plan. Testors it is then.
With any luck, I should be able to layer it up so that it's flush with the surface, and thereby avoid having dried soap accumulate in the numbers.

eastomjac said:

paint,or nail polish.the nail polish is new to me but sounds good enough that im going to use it on my next project

Click to expand...

You have nail polish?

Hobby lobby has some great miniature brushes that do a great job very inexpensive.

I have a similar problem with all 3 of my Adjustables:
My Severodonetsk-1 (photo 1 in the case) has no enamel/paint and I get eyestrain trying to read the numbers
My Ideal Adjustable (photo 1) has very faint enamel/paint
My Wizamet W-11 Adjustable (photo 2) has no enamel/paint, but luckily the engraving in nice and deep

Part of me is debating on touching it up, and part of me likes to keep things original.
I'm still not sure either way, but in the meantime, I learned a trick to make adjustment easier.............
I count the clicks

View attachment 684169

TobyC said:

You have nail polish?

Click to expand...

I have SWMBO ,so yes I have nail polish.using it for my razor's is a tricky proposition sometimes but I have access.
here is a link to help with the OP's problem; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdjXSrRr-I0

nemo said:

Been there, done that. You got it right.

Use a bright color for your favorite setting or start shaving with your glasses.

Click to expand...

+4! And NICE razor!

John Rose; You do not want the final paint application flush with the surface of the adjuster dial- it should dry slightly below the surface so that the paint within the indicator wells does not abrade off or is removed from cleaning and drying with a cloth. Under magnification, the painted surface should have a concave meniscus due to the paint's surface tension when dry, exactly like viewing the concave meniscus of water in a chemistry test tube. Still, put as much paint inside as you like, but the end result should be as pictured below. God Bless! Tony Brown RN mgbbrown

adamchur said:

Part of me is debating on touching it up, and part of me likes to keep things original.

Click to expand...

Well, originally it was painted.

If it'd make you feel any better, you could think of it as "restoring to original condition."

I've got to try that on my Fatboy, and Super adjustable.

Use radium paint! I'm surprised they didn't try that back in the day. Everybody needs glow in the dark numbers.

TobyC said:

Use radium paint! I'm surprised they didn't try that back in the day.

Click to expand...

Yes, those who preferred to shave in darkness faced terrible discrimination from the razor industry.

TobyC said:

Use radium paint! I'm surprised they didn't try that back in the day. Everybody needs glow in the dark numbers.

Click to expand...

Great idea! Well, except forthe potential radiation poisoning.

Ha! Toby; That would be pretty cool- My Heuer Mastertime and Sebring rally clocks, and my Autavia chronograph have quite the half-century eerie glow, as does my Hamilton pilots watch from 1977. They are all painted with Tritium. Those poor radium girls though... God Bless! Tony Brown RN mgbbrown