[ARC5] Re: [Milsurplus] Peeling paint - arresting the developement?

[David Stinson]

Unserviceable but Repairable wrote:
 
> ..... Now say the identifying ink-stamps on the rear black
> crackle are in grave danger since they've lifted from the chassis but
> still cling to surrounding paint.
> And, if lost, would reduce same to a groveling 20-27mcs ARA.

Actually, it would have to be an RAV or an RAT, 
since no *production* ARA covered that freq range.

I've tried to fix this problem twice.
Once was with very dilute paint stripper- 
didn't work and would ruin the letters in any case.
Second was a bit more complicated.
I first brushed the letters with diluted Elmer's glue-
not to "glue" them, but to make a kind of "mask" that 
would keep the paint from disintegrating when I tried
to reposition it.   First time I let the Elmer's dry
overnight, which was a mistake- it made the paint even
more brittle.  Second time I had everything at hand and
just let it get "tacky-dry," so it was more flexible.
Then used an old syringe to inject glue (don't remember now
what kind; something I got at Home Depot) under the 
"bubbles" and pressed them down.  Left a piece
of wax paper and a weight over it over night.
Very tedious job.  The paint stuck back down,
but all the crack marks, including, despite the Elmers,
new ones created by the pressing, were very evident, 
plus shiny spots where the glue leaked out the cracks.
Perhaps going over it with a "filler" coat of paint 
would have fixed that, but there are those pesky letters again.

If I had to do it with that RAT, I'd go "whole hog:"
have a reproduction stamp made and repaint the rear skirt.

But that's such a chore, 
and you have so very, very much to do already.  
There never seems to be enough time, and projects 
like this precious are really a burden on a busy man.

Daveum always ready to help ("daveum, daveum..").
We knows Precious is a heavy burden; we understands.
Daveum will help with Precious.... we will takes it.
It will be precious to us..... myyyy Preciousssss....
("daveum!  daveum!").....