[ARC5] Antenna Current Meter Needed

[Robert Eleazer]

I have done extensive work on wrinkle paint.  My efforts to repaint one particular BC-348-J (3 repaints, with paint remover and sanding in between) ultimately yielded satisfactory results - and I think my description of that saga nearly brought the esteemed David Stinson to tears.

To summarize:

VHT wrinkle paint produces the deepest and most noticeable wrinkle finish - which makes it unsuitable for BC-348 faceplates, where you have to have a very thin wrinkle to prevent covering the letters, which I later pick out with a sliver fine point Sharpie marker.

Plasticoat wrinkle paint appears to be most suitable for attaining a thin wrinkle.

DO NOT PREHEAT THE CAN!  This is an old trick from model airplane days, of sitting the spray can in a tub of hot water before painting.  This approach likely will prevent the wrinkle finish from ever appearing.  Don't ask me how I know....

Primer coats appear to be unnecessary and probably counterproductive.  They did not primer the originals and this probably is not a coincidence.

Baking the freshly painted subject in an oven is not required - but application of hot air via a handheld hairdryer is a definite plus and may be essential in some cases. 

Age of the paint is a factor.  I had an old can of Krylon wrinkle paint and figured I would try it out on the case of a Heathkit SG-6, since I had to paint it something.  The spray can leaked horribly and created a huge mess - and embarrassingly enough left a very nice wrinkle finish where none was really needed.  So maybe age of the paint is not a real factor if you can work outside, in the grass, and have a spare 5 year old child around you can blame the mess on.  My claim that the dog did it was not found to be credible.  

Good Luck!

Wayne