Restoring rt side controls...Help!!

Im attempting to restore the right side switch housing as it was showing wear. Im having a problem getting the recessed lettering painted properly. I sandblasted the housing, resprayed with satin black(enamel rattle can) and using oil based sharpie fine line paint sticks to fill the letters. I am wiping the excess with a folded paper towel with a bit of thinner. The colored paint smears when wiping. What is the trick to getting the letters filled without the paint transferring to the black?
Thanks!

Strip off the enamel! Pick up a rattle can of LACQUER Black...After housing is completely dry,(give it a day or two, if it doesn't smell, it's dry) you can fill letters with enamel paint/ gently wipe thinner over the laquered housing without messing it up. (old tee shirt, DAMP, (not dripping) with mineral spirits/naptha) The really cool thing is that the lacquer seems to go on in a thinner coat than enamel, thereby not "filling in" your lettering as much as the enamel did!
(edit) one further thought...due to your switch housing's proximity to the front master cylinder, great caution should be exercised when the cap is off the M/C (when servicing)...DOT 3 fluid WILL eat lacquer, as well as enamel!(edit) sorry, one more thing, save the housing some sandblasting wear, and use brake fluid to remove current paint....that is all,LOL!

I used these paints from Michaels craft shop. After I stripped and sprayed the housings black, I just dabbed the paint into the lettering and wiped off excess with a smooth, damp sponge. I actually cut the sponge into a wedge shape to make it easier. Only do one word at a time and ripe off excess immediately. Paint says it's dishwasher safe. Any white or yellow blotches can be covered up with black paint after it has all dried. Just spray a little paint into a cup and use a detail brush. Be very gentle as the thinners in the aerosol paint will soften the black base you already sprayed.











Another set I did

The trick is getting all of the old paint out of the lettering.
I did the same thing, thinking that sandblasting would remove it all.
The second time used paint stripper and a sharpened finishing nail to remove all of the paint.
That way it it will take plenty of the colored paint.
I used testors model paint, the small square bottles and a toothpick.
Makes for a nice job, don't forget to spray contact cleaner on your switches before you put them back together.
Good Luck!

Kidkawie wrote: I used these paints from Michaels craft shop. After I stripped and sprayed the housings black, I just dabbed the paint into the lettering and wiped off excess with a smooth, damp sponge. I actually cut the sponge into a wedge shape to make it easier. Only do one word at a time and ripe off excess immediately. Paint says it's dishwasher safe. Any white or yellow blotches can be covered up with black paint after it has all dried. Just spray a little paint into a cup and use a detail brush. Be very gentle as the thinners in the aerosol paint will soften the black base you already sprayed.

Those turned out REALLY great!!! Ed

650ed wrote:

Kidkawie wrote: I used these paints from Michaels craft shop. After I stripped and sprayed the housings black, I just dabbed the paint into the lettering and wiped off excess with a smooth, damp sponge. I actually cut the sponge into a wedge shape to make it easier. Only do one word at a time and ripe off excess immediately. Paint says it's dishwasher safe. Any white or yellow blotches can be covered up with black paint after it has all dried. Just spray a little paint into a cup and use a detail brush. Be very gentle as the thinners in the aerosol paint will soften the black base you already sprayed.

Those turned out REALLY great!!! Ed

Sweet! Look better than new, in your pictures.