[Hallicrafters] S-53 paint touchup

[Mark Shaum]

----- Original Message -----
From: "joe" <k7mks at comcast.net>


>A S-53 under restoration, has a small (dime size) area to the right of
the S-53 panel model number that the black paint has "bubbled" >slightly
with just a hint of rust. I'm, tempted to leave it alone and consider it
part of the aurora of the radio unless someone has an effective >way to
match the paint color etc in a small spot.  I'd prefer to live with it
rather than paint the entire panel.  Thanks for comments.

Joe and listfolk,

I've had luck some with Testor's model paints.  I have a "military
flats" kit with various greys, browns and greens that are at least close
to some BA colors.  Combine with flat black or white for tinting, or
gloss black or gloss white if the end result needs to be semi-glossy.
With a lot of trial and error pre-mixing, lightening and darkening I
used to get reasonably close to the desired color to touch up small
spots.

One drawback is that the tint and gloss content can change somewhat as
the paint dries, so again, its trial and error. My first try at
Hallicrafters "HT Grey" was perfect, until it was completely dry and
darkened.  Extra thinning and multiple coats allows for a little
adjustment as the touchup progresses by adding more lightening or
darkining color to the mix.  Very thin coats also allows brush
application rather than using an airbrush, although for any spot larger
than I dime I'd probably go with one of the modelmaker's airbrushes.  My
first tiny airbrush designed for plastic model painting came with an
adapter to use an inflated tire as an air source.  I remember my wife
wondering why my spare tire was leaning up against my radio workbench.
What we go through for our BA's..

Unless you have some means to accurately measure tiny liquid quantities
as you arrive at a blend that matches the desired color, it's likely to
be rinse and repeat on the trial and error color mixing if you need to
do it again.  Even then it won't be exactly the same.  It's not trivial
to quantify a "toothpick drop" worth of white, for example.

In my opinion the above takes more time than you might care to invest,
but for projects like a minor front panel touchup, it certainly is more
cost effective than a complete strip/repaint and silkcreen job.

73! - Mark
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Mark Shaum K9TR
email: k9tr at dtnspeed.net
http://www.qsl.net/k9tr
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