Touching up a scratched 1970's control panel...any advice?

[westytoploader]

Yesterday we were installing some much-needed wire shelves in the Studio, one of which happened to be above the 1-18. After the shelf was in place, I opened the 1-18's lid and found that the shelf wasn't high enough. I had previously suggested to my dad that he should anchor the shelf support bars to the wall, but he said it wasn't needed; stupid mistake. So...while trying to wrestle the shelf arm off to adjust it higher since it wasn't anchored to the wall, the right support came crashing down and hit the 1-18's "formerly mint" control panel, scratching off a tiny portion of laminate in two places. Needless to say the wall anchors went in VERY promptly after that incident.

So my question is, since it didn't do any damage to the timer markings and only the black portion, how do I go about touching up the paint? I know some of you have "freshened" control panels in the past, but has anyone re-painted a 1970's laminate panel?

If anyone has any suggestions I'd greatly appreciate it! There's also that previous scratch by the timer dial that I'd like to fix as well to make the panel look like new again.

--Austin

 

[gansky1]

touching up battle scars...

A long time ago, I found markers at an artist's supply store that came in every color imgainable and were of a formula that dried glossy - not matte finish like a Sharpie...

Other than something like that or actual touch-up painting with model paint, it might be scarred for life. This isn't a bad thing, it just is another story in the life of the washer.

 

[coldspot66]

I have a console from a WIB 1-18 washer that I am not using. let me know, just pay the shipping. Got it from GregM.

 

[westytoploader]

Hi John,

Thanks for the offer but I've used up too many consoles already!! ;-)

Greg, thanks for the advice. Is model paint available in a glossy, non-aerosol brushable version?

 

[bobbyderegis]

Austin,
Condolances on what must have been a painful accident. I hope the damage was not terrible. Yikes!
Bobby in Boston

 

[hoover1060]

Austin

It sounds like we have the same dad?

In reverse though, one time I was up on a ladder in the garage at home, and accidentially bumped one of the lights, the bulb broke and glass fell on the hood of Dad's Cadillac(a 1983 Coupe DeVille if I remember right)
I apologized right away, but the way dad looked at me you'd have thought I'd dropped a piano on the hood of that car.
Go easy on him...someday you'll be him!

 

[christfr]

been there

had my mom crunch the hood on my car and last year she chipped 2 of my other toys, oh well.. but i find good colors and everything i need at the hobby shop. have used the paints that kids use on those model car kits.. they work just fine just have to prep the surface. and for scratches on fake wood grain several tones of brown and black and some thinner work great. sort of like faux finish on walls or furniture just on a smaller scale

 

[gregm]

touch up

I would not try to repaint, but just "touch-up", the damage may still show but will be subtle .......

 

[mayken4now]

Austin:

Take the first callers advice. I did that with the 1-18 Dryer and it hardly dosen't show.

Steve

 

[customline]

My two sense..........

Do you have any photos of the damaged control panel? Maybe we can get a better assesment of the damage and its remedy this way. I always try to use a spray on paint on larger scars so there will be no brush marks but a paint marker from the hobby store works fine on smaller boo boos.