Stutz in the UK Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Does anyone have experiance of painting a (white) number into the radiator core of a honeycomb radiator - the car is 1917 and the radiator is painted black - the car is in 'working clothes' condition so I want the number to look like its always been there, not to look 'as' paintedWhat paint should I use and how should I go about this task please?Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 (edited) My guess is, in 1917 they would have made a stencil of thin metal or cardboard. Then painted the number with oil base enamel and a brush. "stabbing" the paint brush into the rad with the brush nearly dry, in other words, not dripping with paint.You could do the same thing and wait 20 years while it weathers to the right look. Or use enamel paint, tint it to a dingy shade, and apply it very thin. In other words thin it out with reducer or mineral spirits and apply with a nearly dry brush to get the look of a thin, worn coat of paint.Tremclad or Rustoleum enamel is an old fashioned paint that weathers and dulls quickly but wears for a long time. I would use it, or some cheap enamel to get the look you want. You could also use a flat or semi gloss paint. In any case it will take a while to age to the look you want but you should be able to get fairly close the first day. Edited April 17, 2014 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidAU Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I would do it with the template as Rusty said but would use a white enamel spray can (semi gloss?) and spray some areas lightly and some parts heavier to give it the worn, faded look or you could spray it all white and then overcoat it in some areas with gray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 They did not have spray cans or spray guns in 1917. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 How ever you add the number, be certain it is radiator paint which should be a thinner paint so as not to heat up the radiator too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutz in the UK Posted April 19, 2014 Author Share Posted April 19, 2014 Thanks for all of the suggestions, I am thinking of using a template and then an airbrush to make sure there's only very little paint applied Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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