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Old 4th Apr 2021, 11:27 pm   #1
Michael Maurice
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Default Painting lettering on old knobs

I'm restoring an early 1950's Murphy A188 in which the paint for lettering on the knobs has come off, does anyone know of a way to paint them back on?
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Old 5th Apr 2021, 12:38 am   #2
joebog1
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Default Re: Painting lettering on old knobs

Are the knobs engraved, or are they like stick on transfers?

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Old 6th Apr 2021, 8:08 pm   #3
Ed_Dinning
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Default Re: Painting lettering on old knobs

Hi Michael, at one time you could buy sticks of "engravers wax" in a variety of colours.
Trade name "Kwikfyl"

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Old 6th Apr 2021, 8:37 pm   #4
barrymagrec
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Default Re: Painting lettering on old knobs

Letraset and lacquer?
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Old 28th Apr 2021, 11:45 am   #5
Audio1950
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Default Re: Painting lettering on old knobs

Quote:
Originally Posted by barrymagrec View Post
Letraset and lacquer?
Doesn't work. I tried it on a Dual record deck, and the application of the lacquer causes the Letraset to crinkle up and lift.

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Old 28th Apr 2021, 5:49 pm   #6
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Default Re: Painting lettering on old knobs

I managed to varnish the Letraset lettering (on red car body paint) of an audio mixer that my son (not me!) built for a school GSCE project a couple of decades ago. I can't recall whether we used clear nail varnish or Humbrol paint varnish. In the lab at Plessey we used to use clear nail varnish (borrowed from the wife of one of the engineers) on the Rotring ink lettering we used to make on bare metal Eddystone boxes. Fast-drying and very durable.

Last edited by emeritus; 28th Apr 2021 at 5:49 pm. Reason: typos
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Old 29th Apr 2021, 8:13 am   #7
Michael Maurice
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Default Re: Painting lettering on old knobs

I managed to do it by putting some car paint into the lid and use a very fine brush to take off the excess. I did this several times before getting it right. it wasn't perfect but it did work.
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Old 29th Apr 2021, 8:47 am   #8
Ian - G4JQT
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Default Re: Painting lettering on old knobs

It seems Murphy knobs are notorious for being only slightly embossed and the lettering fades. I have learnt to accept it - even though my 'thing' is making a set look/work like new.

However, with knobs like those used on Bush DAC90A and TV22, etc. I scrub them with hot soapy water and a tooth brush, use a cocktail stick to pick out any remaining bits, scrub again and when dry paint the embossed lettering with Tipex correcting fluid. Once that's dried the excess Tipex can be polished off with spray furniture polish which - if you're lucky - also dulls the whiteness a bit.
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