Projects Trying to paint custom '32 bull nose

I am in the midst of trying to paint the areas surrounding the letters in enamel black on my '32 bull nose with 'mixed' results. Tiny piece, detailed lettering and old geezer level of eyesight equals less than desirable results. When I say mixed results I mean @50% of the letters themselves are painted too. I will wait for the paint to dry and then try to wipe the raised areas with some thinners...not convinced it will look good.

Anyone got an idea on a way I can get the valleys painted with all detail remaining. I see me sending this off to a pinstriper! The entire piece is like 2 inches across and the detail is crazy.

 

Spray the entire piece with enamel and let it dry for about 30 minutes,like you said take a small piece of cloth wrapped around your finger dampened and lightly wipe over the letters and edge with paint thinner.

I did the valve covers and breather like this and it's held up over the past 8 years. HRP

 

Paint the whole thing then wipe the letters with an alcohol rag drapped over a paint stick.

 

as said, spray it up, nice and thin but even. let dry then wipe carefully with a tight knit cloth with acetone or thinner of your choice. If you screw it up, soak the whole thing in thinner and start over, no worries.

 

Thanks guys, that is pretty much what I have been doing. I think the detail is so fine is what is causing me issues.

I will do a quick run to the hell on earth that my wife calls Michaels to see if they have something super fine that I can use to remove paint with thinners. Getting the paint on isn't the issue, it is removing it...I will post the end result.

 

I used a old worn out T-shirt,there soft and everyone has a few in the drawer that are past their prime. HRP

 

There was a tip on here a long time ago where the guy said to use a thin piece of chamois, rather than cloth, to wipe off the raised letters. Supposedly gave a better edge. Also, another one about using a chisel end eraser to wipe off the top coat on the letters. FWIW, just p***in' it along.

 

I'd try brushing it, at least once, and I'd try an opaque die vs "paint"
Hell I might even try a sharpie

The problem with wiping is the sides of those detailed raised letters will get lost.

 

I've done the relief letters on hubcaps with a Sharpie and had good sucess.
They come in many colors besides black

 

The level of detail on you bull nose is probably the main issue with this technique. But, I remember reading where a guy had brushed Crisco around the letters on a hubcap or something. After the paint on the letters dried he just wiped the Crisco off taking away the unwanted paint.

Around the edge you could probably mask with the thin vinyl pinstripping tape.

 

OK, I might have a solution. The wife loaned me something, I will leave it at that...unless it works.

 

Rubber cement. To late now probably but use rubber cement to cover the letters, then paint away. when you are done peel the rubber cement off and be happy with the results.

 

If you use the paint and wipe method here's a few tips to make it work . Wrap a small section of tight knit cloth tightly around a small sanding block , so that you're only wiping the raised area . Use a small amount of thinner to get the cloth damp, not soaked . Go slowly and keep moving around to a fresh spot on the cloth . You will probably have to change the cloth more than once . Good luck with your project , that's a nice looking piece .

 

I've been waiting all day to hear about this.
What's the solution?
What'd she loan you?
Did it work?

 

The paint isn't that big a deal. Who made the bullnose, and can he make others? Bob

 

Cloth tight on a small flat stick. Your finger tips are too mushy and push the cloth past the raised letters.

 

What about painting it, letting it dry and then using a cork block with some super fine wet n dry? A cork block isn't going to get in past the top of the surface.. might be an option?

 

i have had good luck by painting, then BEFORE it dries pressing piece face down onto a rag/paper towel that is laying flat on the bench.

 

The thinner and a paint stick and shop rag are the answer . If you feel it is too large of a pain to complete . You can send it to me and I will finish it and put it to use ! LOL


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Guys, I appreciate all the input. I have painted it 3 times now with varying levels of success. The issue is that the depth from raised letter to valley is less than 1mm. That combined with super fine detail and larger valleys at each end make it a little more tricky than I think some realize.

I will try again this evening and if that doesn't look any better I will get a pinstriper to have a go.

 

Looks like the "paint" is giving you a lot of fill into the texture, which is why I suggested a dye of some sort earlier. Get yourself a few chisel point sharpies and a 8" lighted magnifying gl*** and give that a go. Or you could try the VHT night shades for taillights if you want to try the "cover everything then remove" method. Usually that only works well on raised FLATs.

I'm going to guess that thing is chromed? No "paint" will stick on there permanently any way so you might as well make touch ups as easy and routine as washing the windows.

 

I think it looks real good all polished, no painted background needed.

 

It does look pretty shiny. If it's chrome, like 31vicky says nothing will stick.

That being said, another trick I have used is to "paint" what I don't want painted with vaseline, then spray the whole thing. When done, you just wipe it and the vaselined areas will be clean.

 

And to be honest, this is what I am starting to think also.

31Vicky correctly guessed this to be chromed and that plays into the leaving it unpainted thought also...

 

Have you thought about coloring the letters only? What about something similar to the gold leaf process?
I'm just throwing ideas out there, no problems, only solutions.


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When it gets some bug guts on it it will look just fine.

 

LOL, yeah I suppose,
But it should look its best for Detroit first, I know I would want that.


Touch ups will be hard with paint and removing bug guts is likely to take the paint off of chrome too.

 

20 seconds with a blunt worn out sharpie, coffee jitters, and no gl***es.

 

I think Vick's got the best solution. Sharpy, it lets the grain detailed background show through well. Several applications to darken it maybe.

 

If you were closer I'd help you out of your misery . If you want a thinner mil coverage with the black , I'd spray it on using my airbrush with the paint ( 1-shot lettering enamel ) thinned to the consistency of milk . Spray a light coat with low air pressure and slowly build up until covered . It shouldn't take much to get it covered . The 1-shot should adhere fairly well to the unprimed metal . then wipe the letters to your liking . Good luck .