how to paint raised parts of plastic pieces on cell?

[mudfud]

anyone have a good way to paint the raised dots and lines and such on the plastic pieces, originally silver color?

I considered a tiny paint brush and silver paint, but thought that maybe there was a way to do it with some kind of rubber roller.

seems like maybe they were dipped in silver paint originally?

[JACKSJE4]

Great question. I encountered this very issue while restoring a machine with a raised logo on the front. I went to a local craft and hobby store and found a silver leaf application kit for about $6. It came with a chisel pointed "pen" that applied adhesive. I carefully coated only the raised surfaces with the adhesive and let the glue dry for 10 minutes as the instructions indicated.

Next I gently applied a sheet of silver leaf that came with the kit and pressed it firmly to the tacky surfaces where the adhesive was applied. I then brushed away all of the excess silver leaf with a stiff bristle paint brush, then used an X-acto knife to carefully clean up the edges. When it was done the raised logo looked just like new and was coated with a shiny silver, not the dull silver that you get from paints

I have used the same process on win pokets from the play field, but I usually detach them first so that I can work on them more easily.

[mudfud]

hey jeff.

I did a google search of "painting raised plastic pieces", and I found out the model guys do this all the time.

there is a foil, probably like your leaf idea, called bare metal foil (BMF), that has self-adhesive on the back. apparently, you push it onto the area that you want, then use an exacto to cut off the rest.

if it's raised lettering, they push the BMF on to the area using a tooth pick, spray paint the piece, then rub off the paint on the raised letters.

option 2 is to buy a silver paint pen and use that to brush, or rub, the high parts. online, I found some japanese ones and one made by sanford.

i'm off to the crafts store (if they're open today).

will post pix.

[Meathead]

Outstanding advice, I'm looking forward to doing a restoration soon. I'll have to keep this in mind!

Thanks!

[wrkey]

Great question and one I was wondering about as well! I'll have to give these ideas a try! My wife is a faux painter and has dealt with the gold and silver leaf stuff, so I'll see what advice/help she can provide.

Thanks for asking and thanks for all the answers!

[mudfud]

OK, back from the crafts store. $30 later, I have silver leaf with adhesive, 3 different types of metallic pens, in fine and broad of each, and one jar of silver stenciling paint (apply with small sponge).

attached is the "before" picture. keep your fingers crossed that the "after" looks better. I plan to use the silver paint pens on the thin raised surfaces, and the leafing adhesive with thin silver sheets on the pockets, where there are broader surfaces to apply to.

this may be a long night.

[Ikaria]

Looking forward to seeing the results. Good luck.

[JACKSJE4]

The adhesive pen and leaf kit in your photo is the exact product I use for replacing the missing silver highlights.

The attached photo shows an "after" picture of a raised logo that I touched up (I don't have a before pic - sorry). Essentially, the silver was 95% rubbed off when I rescued the machine, so I used the adhesive and silver leaf to restore it. The end result looked great!

Keep us posted on your results with the paint pens. They may be an easier solution for the really small detail you are touching up.

[mudfud]

that logo looks great. has it worn off at all? some of the products that I looked at suggested an acrylic clear coat to protect them.

[JACKSJE4]

The logo still looks good, mostly because it doesn't get much wear and tear. I would guess that the silver leaf will eventually rub off again if you were to scrub the area or wipe it down regularly, but I test wiped it a few times after I applied the silver leaf and it stayed in place. The adhesive is pretty sticky, I guess.

I didn't coat it with anything after I applied the leaf.

[wrkey]

According to my wife, the silver leaf will work, but there is a catch. Since the silver leaf is truly mostly silver (or all silver in some cases) it will have the potential to tarnish. Therefore, she recommends that if you do use the silver or gold leaf you will need to cover it with a clear acrylic protectant. This process will prevent the tarnishing and help prevent it from being 'worn off'.

[mudfud]

rusty - tell your wife "thanks!" for that warning. it maybe that i'll try the silver paint pens first, or I will have to go back and clear coat the leafed sections.

[mudfud]

SUCCESS!

I used the Sakura paint pen, from japan, the 2 mm (wide one)

it was perfect, b/c the tip is a hard sponge so the paint stays only on the high parts.

I did try the paint pen by american crafts, but it didn't give very good coverage.

[JACKSJE4]

Excellent work on the research and testing!! I'm heading down to the craft store now to pick up one of those paint pens!!

[Sid]

Spiffy!!

[compirate]

Along those lines, a Sharpie is good for those areas that require black lines, takes a few coats though.

Have you considered the gold leaf? That would look spiffy!

[mudfud]

they do make gold paint pens, too, if there are gold or brass areas that need touching up.

[takethecastle57]

And don't forget Crayola has those colored glue pens (Puffy Decopauge) in a rainbow of colors including metal flake . I did on 70's machine and it looked fantastic but alas i had to sell it in 2004

[subdude]

hey jeff.

I did a google search of "painting raised plastic pieces", and I found out the model guys do this all the time.

there is a foil, probably like your leaf idea, called bare metal foil (BMF), that has self-adhesive on the back. apparently, you push it onto the area that you want, then use an exacto to cut off the rest.

if it's raised lettering, they push the BMF on to the area using a tooth pick, spray paint the piece, then rub off the paint on the raised letters.

...

I have some of the BMF I'll try it & see

[rubberratt]

they do make gold paint pens, too, if there are gold or brass areas that need touching up.

They make gold