Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Discussions on Records, Recording, & Artists
Post Reply
User avatar
Mormon S
Victor III
Posts: 737
Joined: Mon May 07, 2018 6:27 pm
Personal Text:     Martin     "phono_fluff" on instagram

Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Post 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.
Last edited by Mormon S on Sun Nov 04, 2018 10:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Bruce
Victor III
Posts: 578
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:15 pm
Location: Vancouver, Canada

Re: Filling amberol letters with white acrylic paint?

Post 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

User avatar
TinfoilPhono
Victor IV
Posts: 1925
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:48 pm
Location: SF Bay Area, Calif.

Re: Filling amberol letters with white acrylic paint?

Post 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.

User avatar
Mormon S
Victor III
Posts: 737
Joined: Mon May 07, 2018 6:27 pm
Personal Text:     Martin     "phono_fluff" on instagram

Re: Filling amberol letters with white acrylic paint?

Post 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.
Attachments
20181104_223643.jpg
20181104_221807.jpg
20181104_213622.jpg
20181104_224353.jpg

User avatar
WDC
Victor IV
Posts: 1015
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:07 am

Re: Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Post 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.

epigramophone
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 5204
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:21 pm
Personal Text: An analogue relic trapped in a digital world.
Location: The Somerset Levels, UK.

Re: Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Post 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.

Phonofreak
Victor VI
Posts: 3718
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:00 pm
Location: Western, WA State

Re: Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Post 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

vansteem78
Victor II
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 5:50 pm

Re: Best method to restore amberol letter paint!

Post 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

Post Reply