JohnD Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 How to put back the white highlighting in the gate diagram on a gearknob? One that is much worse than this example! My ideas: Clean the grooves out and spray with white paint (any particular type?), then rub down the knob to remove the over-spray and leave the groove paint. This may leave the knob with a dull finish, so spray that with lacquer? (Again, any type?) If it's going to be lacquered, would, say, 'SnoPaque', good old typescript correcting fluid, or white high-build primer fill the grooves better? If they are filled then they will attract less dirt. Anyone done this, or have a better technique? John
andymcp Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 I would ensure the grooves are well defined. Paint the lines with 'Humbrol' gloss white enamel (model aircraft paint), then wipe the excess off with a cloth dampened (not wet) with thinners.
JohnD Posted February 24, 2020 Author Posted February 24, 2020 Thanks, Andy! Certainly less work than my ideas! Are (Is?) the thinners for enamel different to ordinary cellulose thinners? J.
zetecspit Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 Yes, celly is far more aggressive. Enamel may use something more like white spirit, or universal thinners.
PaulAA Posted February 24, 2020 Posted February 24, 2020 John I tried this some years ago and discovered that the wear on the inside loops of the R, 2, 3 and 4 made it almost impossible to get any decent definition - it ended up looking like a certain well-known Spanish church icon restoration. I then started looking at getting the script re-engraved and quickly realised that a fiver for a new one made much more sense. Sorry to be so... defeatist. Paul
RichardB Posted October 15, 2020 Posted October 15, 2020 I used Andy's technique with some success on the 1500 Spitfire OD gearknob lid. Hardest part is not taking it all off again when you wipe it.
JohnD Posted October 15, 2020 Author Posted October 15, 2020 (edited) OH! I received an excellent solution, "in another place". Use "Sugru" Mouldable Glue. https://sugru.com/ Comes in any colour you might like, including white, clean out the old grooves, knead some Sugru into them, leave it to set. Not cheap, a pack of three small sachets is £8, but it does the job beautifully! Edited October 16, 2020 by JohnD 1
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