[R-390] Painting?

[Tim Shoppa]

N6NXI asks:
> What do I use for the ingraving fill paint?-----the color needed is red.

What I have used with success for filling in engravings is acrylic
paint from the art store. Dab it over the engravings, lightly wipe it off,
and let dry. For this method to work it is important that the base color
be smooth and completely dry. If it's not smooth then the fill paint will
get into all the little valleys, and if it's not dry when you wipe off the
fill paint you might rub it into the base coat.

If lightly wiping off the acrylic doesn't remove everything, a wet cloth
will do a great job cleaning it off. I think the fact that acrylic is so easily
removed, without any rubbing pressure at all, with a wet cloth is what
makes it the winner for filling engravings on painted panels/buttons.

> And, ---Do I bake---and other process comments?

I don't think baking is really necessary for acrylic paints. For enamels or
spray-can epoxy paints I think that baking really does accelerate the process.
I have a insulated fireproof box with some light bulbs in it that I use
for baking. And for temperature compensating my homebrew VFO's :-).

I have had very good success with Rustoleum Crystal-Clear enamel as
a topcoat to protect lettering etc.

Tim.