Painting recessed letters on ignition/light switch

[JFranklin]

I have repainted my Clum switch and need to paint in the recessed words PARK DIM OFF ON. I painted the body with black lacquer and tried the letters with white lettering paint thinking I could wipe off any slop. the white in the letters was removed also. I added the white again and let it dry with the thought of sanding off any slop but that didn't work well. I cleaned out all the paint in the letters and will try again. I thought maybe I could just use white cleaner wax since it always stays in the cracks when I polish my car. Does anybody have a good procedure or product to do this job?

[Seldenguy]

J-- I have had good success using the white paint you used but then wiping the flat surface with a small section of a "bondo" squeegee. Then let dry, being sure it is dry! The final step is to rub what paint residue is left out with some compound and something flat that will not reach into the letter depressions, and then polish.---Bob

[Bhigdog]

Personally I like filling the letters with a solid paint stick. See McMaster-Carr. They are called fill in paint sticks. They are designed to do what you are trying to do and they do it very well................Bob

Edited August 3, 2012 by Bhigdog (see edit history)

[Rusty_OToole]

Try thinning the paint so it will flow into the letters. Wipe off excess with a rag dampened with paint thinner. Wrap the rag tight around your finger tip. There is a bit of a knack to it, it may take a couple of tries to get it perfect.

[Restorer32]

Personally I like filling the letters with a solid paint stick. See McMaster-Carr. They are called fill in paint sticks. They are designed to do what you are trying to do and they do it very well................Bob

Ditto

[DavidAU]

Have a look at this You tube video. Apart from the inane conversation this guy is good.

[Amphicar BUYER]

If you use the wipe off method (which I prefer) as it's way easier and faster than the fill method. The KEY is to use a thick solid wipe, not a cloth towel. The cloth is too soft so it will go into the recess and pull out the paint. You want the wipe to be just moist with thinnier, not wet. Just skim the surface, don't press hard, light touch a couple times. Don't fret if there is a film of paint left. Let it flash and then clean it off with the thinner.

These are the details nobody notices unless they are done poorly. I saw a very nice resto once then look inside and it was obvious they attempted to paint inside the recessed letters individually. Looked horrible! Edges inconsistant and paint slopped around.

[JFranklin]

Thanks everybody, I'll get this done yet.

[Guest shadetree77]

Just wanted to add my two cents here...I also use the wipe off method. But instead of using your finger or something else, wrap the cloth around a cork and twist it tight. Then dip the flat end in thinner (lightly, not dripping wet) and use it to wipe off the excess paint. The flat surface of the cork does not allow the cloth to dip down into the recessed letters. Here's a picture of me using it to paint the recessed areas on my fender accents. Works great!

[edinmass]

Use nail polish, works great. Easy to work with, and will last 20 years. Ed