Help with painting the letters

[catherix]

I've got a couple projects in process right now and I've decided that learning how to repaint the letters on these handles would be a great skill to learn. But I have no idea where to start. Any suggestions on what types of paint to use? And should I be cleaning out the old paint first or simply painting over what's there in the first place? What should I use to clean out the old paint if needed? Where should I be at in the sanding process when I go for repainting?

Clearly, I'm clueless. Pictures are available if you'd like em.

 

[NexlevMM]

Gigster made a thread a while back about how he fills them. HERE

I've used that method and it works well, but i've been lazy and just filled them in with Testor's enamel paint (Get a whole color kit and brush with paint thinner on ebay for 10 bucks) and wiped it off with some polish a few hours after it dried.

Good luck!

 

[catherix]

Gigster made a thread a while back about how he fills them. HERE

I've used that method and it works well, but i've been lazy and just filled them in with Testor's enamel paint (Get a whole color kit and brush with paint thinner on ebay for 10 bucks) and wiped it off with some polish a few hours after it dried.

Good luck!

Wow that's a great thread! I wish I hadn't thrown away my old wipers! Wonder if I could find another kind of squeegee around the house. And I'll definitely check out that color kit too. Thanks Nexlev!

 

[Gigster]

Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[catherix]

Pics or it didn't happen.

Alright, if you're gonna twist my arm about it!

A 300PBT with scary shallow lettering. I'm not sure I'll be able to fix this one.

Another EverReady, I think it's called a 523. It's got shallow lettering too but I think it will be okay.

This one is a Durobuilt. It's got pretty deep lettering but its shallow on the top part of the letters on the right side. Should be able to do something with it tho.

I've done some scrubbing with a toothbrush and dawn soap and I was impressed with how easily the lettering cleaned up. Unfortunately I sanded the first one before hand and I am a bit worried about how it will come out. But I'm gonna give it a go anyways. I'm headed to the hobby shop that carries testor's according to their site. Hopefully I'll find what I need.

 

[Gigster]

Brushes like the 300 are tougher to do when the branding is worn down. You should be good and only have problems with "300PBT."

That second brush is nice! Is the bottom wood or plastic?

The last one should turn out good too, except for the last part of the brand name. Just tell everyone it's, "Durovum."

 

[catherix]

TBH, I had a heck of a time figuring out what that third brush said on the bottom. I searched high and low across google and finally found one in an eBay sale. No one can read it anyway so maybe I'll tell them it's a Durovum. The second one is filled with wood I think. I'm having a terrible time getting it all out. I've tried nearly every attachment on my Dremel and barely made a dent in it. It's like rock hard. Here's the progress thus far:

 

[Gigster]

I went into an Ever-Ready several weeks ago and the material (I assume epoxy) was like that. Forstner bits wouldn't scratch it and Dremel cutting bits skipped across it. Broke out the carbide tipped bits and they cut into it, but I had to begin with small bits and work up in size, skipping every other bit. Whatever it was, it was about 1/4" thick.

 

[catherix]

I went into an Ever-Ready several weeks ago and the material (I assume epoxy) was like that. Forstner bits wouldn't scratch it and Dremel cutting bits skipped across it. Broke out the carbide tipped bits and they cut into it, but I had to begin with small bits and work up in size, skipping every other bit. Whatever it was, it was about 1/4" thick.

Yah I'd say this is similar in thickness then. I did get a hole drilled all the way through to get an idea but I haven't made much more progress. Didn't get much time today so I'll keep playing with it on Wednesday.

I did get a chance to pick up a $10 testor's set at a local hobby shop. Looked like they had a ton of colors available on the cheap as well. Should be a good resource for future projects too. As soon as I find some time to start painting I'll get some more pics up.