CK Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 After reading about wire-wool and black marker touch-ups in the Wanted section, what's the best way of tidying up black dials that are a bit weather-worn? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Assuming that you're talking about the bezels, then mask up the dials, cutting a fine edge with a Stanly knife and then spray with Smooth Hammerite. I think I manged 5 or 6 very fine coats. Not brilliant I have to admit but very passable. Chris Alston C7CAT 1800 Supersprint R248 ....and then I jumped in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADMALC Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 If it is the plastic rims that have gone white try some sewing machine oil on a piece of rag. It is not permanant but lasts a few months and is cheap and easy to do. I use this method on my rocker switches as well. S7MAD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CK Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 Apologies, should have been more specific: they're off a '96 car, so are a little bubbly and rusted(?) around the inside edge next to the glass, and a bit shiny where the black coating has come off around the outside edge. As I'm slowly tarting up the dash in general, think I might try the Hammerite spray first (thanks Chris). Malc, ta for the info, great to hear from you again - would it work with the oil you mention then sealing with some clear top-coat (sprayed from a can?)?? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenhawk Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 No mate you remove guages, carefully mask glass with quality mask - NOT crinkle paper (other wise paint gets underneath), then spray with hammerite as stated. The first 1-2 coats should be light to seal mask. Then you can put a bit more on. Remove (pick off) masking tape with scalpel while paint not quite dry, being ULTRA careful not to slip and touch/mark/spoil semi-dry product. Then allow to dry/harden in warm environment. If you fu@k it up rub down 'dodgy bit' and repeat above. Less is more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickenhawk Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Oh, you might want to rub down first with fine wire wool, degrease with meths (or similar) then wack a bit of grey primer on first (before black paint) to get a better finish The oil is strictly cosmetic to tart up/give a bit of gloss to guages you are NOT going to paint!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CK Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Instead of masking tape, go to an art shop and buy some liquid latex masking, you can then paint this on the glass dial, a couple of coats letting it dry in between and then spray. once all is dry you then peel off the latex.. This is what airbrushers do I believe. Jon Edit for speeling mistuk Edited by - jonboylaw on 3 Feb 2009 17:45:49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK FLASH Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Guys, I can confirm that using liquid masking is giving better results and easier to use. You can also find it in shops doing scale model cars / airplanes / ... I was using it in the 80' s and 90' s when I had to stick with scale model Sevens. Jack Flash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CK Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Thanks for the extra info Jon & JF. It'd probably turn out much better if someone else did it who had some modicum of skill 😬 Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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