Restore Red Tip Gillette Superspeed

[lungho]

Hey folks! I've been reading thread after thread on restoring and replating old razors but I haven't seen anything referring specific to any of the Gillette Blue or Red tipped Superspeeds and their colored tips.

Is there a way to restore these colored tips to their original color and luster?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[koso]

There is a Krylon paint that is generally considered to be a dead-ringer for the red in a Red Tip - International Harvester Red.

I did mine in some maker's "Colonial Red" and it's fine for me, I plan on keeping it so don't care if potential buyers might be put off.

Haven't heard of a match for Blue Tips, though.

 

[lungho]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any pics of your work? My red tip has 95% of it's paint but my OCD wants the thing to look perfect.

 

[Radar O\'Reilly]

Have you tried wandering the nailpolish aisle of the local mega-mart/beauty supply store?

 

[SRock]

There is a Krylon paint that is generally considered to be a dead-ringer for the red in a Red Tip - International Harvester Red.

I've seen quite a few done with this and they look great. I'm one of the don't alter camp meaning keep the originals original but if it is for your own use and no chance you'd sell it then go for it.

 

[T Rick]

I understand the OCD component, but maybe you can use that to your advantage. If it's original and 95% intact, perhaps you can convince yourself to be OCD about keeping it all original?

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I've got a 1956 (birth year) Red Tip that is in excellent condition except for some missing spots of paint on the tip. I mentioned painting the tip and my son said that would ruin the coolness factor of the razor. That convinced me to leave it as is.

I did have a NEW replated, but all the gold finish was pretty much gone. It was worth every penny.

 

[lungho]

Thank you all for your replies. I don't know if I'll hold on to the razor or sell it in the future. So I guess I'll leave it as-is. But if I decide to never sell it, I'll use what I've learned in this thread and repaint the tip.

Again, thanks for you all's help.

 

[Topgumby]

A late two cents---

I've got a Red Tip that I re-did with IH Red, as the razor was in nice shape but the painted tip was thrashed. The color match was perfect.

It's in my regular rotation and will go to one of my kids. If I wear the paint off, I'll repaint it again.

If I ever sold it, I'd certainly list it as a repainted razor...but that ain't gonna happen!

 

[lungho]

Thanks for the late tip. I'll file that away. Now it's off to Family Dollar.......a different thread suggest they sell something very close to the original Old Spice.

 

[DaveNJ74]

Going to try and keep this thread alive... just won a Blue Tip on eBay and looks like its needs some TLC on the blue paint. Just found Krylon paint in " Ford Blue " and that looks close to the blue in " Blue Tip ".

 

[Go West Young Man]

A redtip with some beat up paint goes for, what, $15-20?
How much less do you think a nice shiny one with perfect paint job would sell for, even if the buyer knew it was a repaint job? I'd bet it doesn't affect the value at all, considering most guys here are looking to use it, not display on a shelf.

 

[mhensley]

A redtip with some beat up paint goes for, what, $15-20?
How much less do you think a nice shiny one with perfect paint job would sell for, even if the buyer knew it was a repaint job? I'd bet it doesn't affect the value at all, considering most guys here are looking to use it, not display on a shelf.

I bought one at an antique store for $10.00. There was more paint on it than I originally thought, it just needed to be cleaned (the grime made it look like it didn't have much paint on it.

They are just too common, with too low a resale price, to justify "preserving". If I like it enough to use, I'll consider having it plated and painted (for a rediculous price, but it will look really cool). If not, I'll polish it up and PIF to someone, and let them decide.

 

[RGraphics]

Nailpolish Revlon "Raven Red" #721 worked perfect for me. Only needed 2 light coats. It was classic to see me shaking bottles and testing colors at the store (Walgreens).

 

[Radar O\'Reilly]

Nailpolish Revlon "Raven Red" #721 worked perfect for me. Only needed 2 light coats. It was classic to see me shaking bottles and testing colors at the store (Walgreens).

Glad there was a color. I will have to go and find that now. I use a black nail polish for my Singers, as it's usually as tough as the original paint used, and is thicker than standard paint.

 

[mrmoonbeam]

Color match looks great, though I'd recommend taping off next time.
I used the Krylon myself and the results were wonderful, although the paint was a shade more glossy than the original.

 

[Radar O\'Reilly]

Color match looks great, though I'd recommend taping off next time.
I used the Krylon myself and the results were wonderful, although the paint was a shade more glossy than the original.

From experience, a toothpick should be able to get that excess off, and then after a few days of solid drying, a top coat of either spray on lacquer/clear coat should seal it.

 

[RGraphics]

Color match looks great, though I'd recommend taping off next time.
I used the Krylon myself and the results were wonderful, although the paint was a shade more glossy than the original.

that was some paint that bled under the tape since the surface isnt even and the tape would not fold under the edge. That picture was minutes after painting it and that bleeding is already gone.

 

[Radar O\'Reilly]

How deep into the tip did you go with the polish/paint? Or was there little to no loss there?

 

[RGraphics]

How deep into the tip did you go with the polish/paint? Or was there little to no loss there?

I had about 30% loss and just redid it 100%.