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Author Topic: How to fix chipped off paint on small stuff?  (Read 435 times)

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Offline Cryptinox

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How to fix chipped off paint on small stuff?
« on: June 01, 2021, 09:34:46 PM »
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  • Does anyone here have any advice for fixing small paint chips on small objects such as lighters? I got myself a vintage lighter and this one part really triggers my OCD. I just need to know of a good type of paint and how to find out the shade of the thing I want to fix.


    Offline Arssacra

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    Re: How to fix chipped off paint on small stuff?
    « Reply #1 on: June 01, 2021, 09:52:27 PM »
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  • It’s unlikely you’ll be able to find both the matching color and finish, especially if it’s enameled or vintage enamel paint. I would either strip and refinish or leave the chips as a part of its history. However, if you go to Hobby Lobby or some other craft store, they have enamel paints that are used for model trains and airplanes and things like that. They come in very small glass jars, so buy a few in the colors you’d need to mix to create your custom color. Get a piece of scrap metal and do some test swatches of your color combos and take notes about proportions. Be mindful that there are also different types, such as oil versus non-oil based which will have different finishes and adherence properties. I use the oil-based ones to paint glass when I don’t want to run my kiln and do the traditional stained glass painting process. Only the oil based ones stick to the glass. Also keep in mind that unless you are meticulous with sanding and a top coat to unify everything, the chipped area will always be somewhat visible even with a perfect color and finish (e.g. matte, gloss, semi-gloss, etc).

    If you post a picture with good lighting (i.e. natural light source), I can give advice about color mixing if you’d like. 


    Offline Cryptinox

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    Re: How to fix chipped off paint on small stuff?
    « Reply #2 on: June 01, 2021, 09:54:21 PM »
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  • It’s unlikely you’ll be able to find both the matching color and finish, especially if it’s enameled or vintage enamel paint. I would either strip and refinish or leave the chips as a part of its history. However, if you go to Hobby Lobby or some other craft store, they have enamel paints that are used for model trains and airplanes and things like that. They come in very small glass jars, so buy a few in the colors you’d need to mix to create your custom color. Get a piece of scrap metal and do some test swatches of your color combos and take notes about proportions. Be mindful that there are also different types, such as oil versus non-oil based which will have different finishes and adherence properties. I use the oil-based ones to paint glass when I don’t want to run my kiln and do the traditional stained glass painting process. Only the oil based ones stick to the glass. Also keep in mind that unless you are meticulous with sanding and a top coat to unify everything, the chipped area will always be somewhat visible even with a perfect color and finish (e.g. matte, gloss, semi-gloss, etc).

    If you post a picture with good lighting (i.e. natural light source), I can give advice about color mixing if you’d like.
    Ah yes thanks. I bought a phone off of ebay and I will probably get it activated by Thursday.

    Offline Cryptinox

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    Re: How to fix chipped off paint on small stuff?
    « Reply #3 on: June 07, 2021, 08:52:34 PM »
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  • It’s unlikely you’ll be able to find both the matching color and finish, especially if it’s enameled or vintage enamel paint. I would either strip and refinish or leave the chips as a part of its history. However, if you go to Hobby Lobby or some other craft store, they have enamel paints that are used for model trains and airplanes and things like that. They come in very small glass jars, so buy a few in the colors you’d need to mix to create your custom color. Get a piece of scrap metal and do some test swatches of your color combos and take notes about proportions. Be mindful that there are also different types, such as oil versus non-oil based which will have different finishes and adherence properties. I use the oil-based ones to paint glass when I don’t want to run my kiln and do the traditional stained glass painting process. Only the oil based ones stick to the glass. Also keep in mind that unless you are meticulous with sanding and a top coat to unify everything, the chipped area will always be somewhat visible even with a perfect color and finish (e.g. matte, gloss, semi-gloss, etc).

    If you post a picture with good lighting (i.e. natural light source), I can give advice about color mixing if you’d like.
    Here it is

    Offline Arssacra

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    Re: How to fix chipped off paint on small stuff?
    « Reply #4 on: June 07, 2021, 10:17:47 PM »
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  • First, I'd fill the chipped area with this putty, and gently sand the surface until its flush with the original paint.

    Then use the Testors Flat Enamel Paint in Flat Cherry and Flat Sunflower to get your custom color. You're trying to mix a red orange, so add small quantities of the sunflower to the cherry.

    If there are chipped areas with the white-tinted sea green color, then I'd also buy a flat white and a this green beret color, perhaps adding a tiny bit of the sunflower color (i.e. warm yellow) if after you mix the tint (green + white) it is not yellow-green enough.

    P.S. If the paint on the lighter is more of a semi-gloss, you may need to buy a gloss version of the cherry and then add the flat sunflower to it to make a semi-gloss.