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Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 4:57 pm
by Mormon S
So alot of my amberol cylinders have letter that are completely faded, but of course the letters where "pressed in"/are indented. I had this idea of covering the letters in white acrylic paint, and whipping it down with a cloth to fill in the letters. Has anyone done this before? I'll try it tonight and see how it goes.

Re: Filling amberol letters with white acrylic paint?

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:25 pm
by Bruce
One method is to fill the letters/numbers on the cylinders with liquid "white out". The excess can be wiped off with a damp cloth.

I tried this recently and found it takes a little practice to get the cloth the right moisture. Too much and it cleans out the letters, too little and it does not wipe away the excess. The good thing about white out is that you can wash it off and try again if it does not work the first time.

Bruce

Re: Filling amberol letters with white acrylic paint?

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:44 pm
by TinfoilPhono
In the past I have used a white grease pencil (China marker). Just rub it over the letters and wipe it with a soft cloth. Quick, easy, and effective. It's basically white wax, harder than crayon.

Re: Filling amberol letters with white acrylic paint?

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2018 10:45 pm
by Mormon S
The acrylic paint works perfectly. The best way to do it is to use a q-tip with white acrylic paint, cover the letters in a coating of paint, let it dry in a thin layer, and remove the layer with isopropyl and a paper towel. This prevents any unevenness in the thickness of the paint, and prevents and paint coming out when wiping it off. "The lords prayer" was completely lacking paint. I also showed the process with a 4 minute indestructible.

Re: Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 6:21 am
by WDC
White acrylic is what I have been using for my new cylinders for about two years now, works and looks indeed great.

Many years ago, I also used the white grease pen method, which takes much more effort to apply and to clean-wipe. Furthermore, white grease is very hard to remove once it has filled the lettering. Plus matte acrylic paint is not as glossy as white grease, thus much closer to original zinc white that once was used. Modern paint is usually based on titanium instead.

Re: Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 10:40 am
by epigramophone
I only collect celluloid cylinders, and for these I brush a thin layer of white modeller's gloss enamel such as Humbrol over the lettering area and immediately wipe off the excess with a soft cloth. This fills the lettering with paint, leaving a very thin film on the surface which can be removed when dry with a cloth barely moistened with white spirit. The lettering is not affected.

The result looks pristine and should outlast any water based product, but I have not tried it on wax cylinders. This method also works well with the etched lettering on centre start Pathé discs, but for these ivory is a better colour match to the original than white.

Re: Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 6:15 pm
by Phonofreak
These are all great ideas. What I've have used for many years is white wax shoe polish. Same as the grease pencil technique. Also great for your old saddleshoes!!!! LOL :lol:
Harvey bKravitz

Re: Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2018 5:06 pm
by vansteem78
Yes, I too use white shoe polish. I found a few bottles at our local dollar store. I only use it on celluloid cylinders. I have not been happy with anything, yet, on the wax cylinders. Neil