[ARC5] Winter Project

[Mike Hanz]

On 10/8/2011 6:34 PM, jcoward5452 at aol.com wrote:
> Please, what might that "new" brand of black wrinkle paint be? Also, many folks who do these BC-348 front panels carefully sand or scrape off the paint from the raised lettering. A stereo microscope is very useful for us gracefully moving up in years. It would be interesting to know what the original process was. If we knew that, we could duplicate it in some fashion.
> Anyone have any ideas on A.R.C. gear with engraved lettering? My 1st guess is a silkscreen type process but with ancient technology (i.e. no computers and graphics software!).

I use a fine grit Excel 55678 Sanding Stick under a strong magnifier.  
Dunno how they originally did it, but I do notice abrasive brush marks 
on some NOS items with raised lettering.

> I do have a thought here though. On an engraved panel, one could first apply the white lettering paint and let it dry. The paint would form a "shallow" in the engraving.That then could be filled with an inhibitor to the black wrinkle. Then it could be carefully cleaned all aroud the engraving and then primed and painted with the final finish.
>   Does this make any sense?

It does in concept, Jay.  The problem with engraved lettering is that 
the engraving is *extremely* hard to see under the black wrinkle paint, 
which fills the hollows of the engraving very well.  I have recently 
begun a series of experiments with masking fluid using a product that 
lends itself very well to a stereo microscope applied approach.  
Essentially it is a hypodermic method - you use a needle to apply it.  I 
just finished refinishing a raised letter High Voltage tag for the top 
of an ART-13 and it came out very well.  I tried an engraved panel and 
the "bump" that appears under the paint gives you a clue where the 
engraving (and rubber cement masking) really is, but it takes a lot more 
patience to dig it out without damaging the side of the paint film 
between the film surface and the aluminum panel surface.  I have to keep 
thinking Mona Lisa style restoration or I tend to get in a hurry.  One 
outlet for the Masquepen products is at 
http://www.dickblick.com/products/masquepen-art-masking-fluid/

The quicker way is simply to fill the engraved lettering with aluminum 
paint before you paint and then re-engrave the lettering.

No magic solution here.  It all takes work.

Very 73,
Mike