I was suing lacquer but decided since I was dealing with plastic I would use something else. So, I tripped up to my hardware store and bought Fusion paint. I had read someone else has used it. I will not go bac to lacquer even for bakelite. Wow what a shine! Red sure is rad on this. I have added the first stage of the gold leaf. I will tone it done a bit and then add the number colors as well. Also added a pic of what it looked like before this started. Knobs are not gone yet. And you get to see how junky my garage has got. Two for one treat!

please post when done looking forward to it

How did you apply it? Rattle can, roller, brush, sprayer?

Rattle Can. No , just hit it with 320 grit, washed it off, then hit it. Then, for all the gold trim, seeing as it is all worn out, I am gold leafing them and the trim on the knobs. This thing will really pop with that gold leaf. Thats my 13 years in the picture framing biz coming out in me. LOL

Krylon Fusion paint specially for synthetic materials (except Teflon ). Only comes in a rattle can as far as I know...

Fantatic, that red really pops!! Be sure to let us see it when your done!! Can't Wait, I love everyone retorerations!!!

Lynn

Lynn, used to live in St. Cloud and Waite Park about 5 years ago! Love that area.

Wow, that shine and smooth finish is impressive. You are inspiring me to try some bakelite repairs, followed by a brightly colored refin. Perhaps green??? Maybe two-tone?

Please post an image when it's done.

On top of the shine it already had, I clear coated it with gloss lacquer. Thing glows in the dark just about.

Hi,
Nice job.
The Fusion paints have an additive in them so they 'eat' into the plastic, like plastic patio furniture. All in the name of a better grip.
There is no use for the additive when repainting a plastic (bakelite) cabinet because I doubt it would do any 'eating' into the cabinet. You should still get good results though, but a standard formula enamel paint would do the same.
I dont know if there is a price difference between regular enamel and the Fusion stuff.

I do avoid using the Valspar line of spray cans. Too watery with not much pigment in the mix.

The 320 sanding is a good idea, gives the paint something to hang onto.
Your set looks nice!.

Yeah !

Is that the Fusion "red pepper" color?
btw...( it's called "Fusion" only because it has a chemical in it that slightly melts the plastic surface so that the paint and plastic "fuze" together)
So ...It has no special effect on Bakelite though because Bakelite is impervious to solvents. However the paint does lay down like glass on anything you put it on.

That's what I used on this Emerson CS-268 4 years ago ( gee time flies! ... and holy cow ...I'm still wearing the SAME pair of sneakers I wore that day with red paint drips on them... lol)

I can't remember now if I rubbed it out afterward or not now.
But I probably might have used some 0000-steel wool & rubbing compound ... and certainly Butchers wax afterwards... but not sure about the compound.
Here's the whole thread and all the photos:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=98598

Your saying you can shoot lacquer over the fusion paint?
I would have thought the lacquer would attack the other???

That's what I would have worried about too.
Wow.. nice to know though...

Superzeeman, So you lived in our area, ! Thanks for letting me know, do you think we ever met at a Northland Antique Club Meet??? I love the area also!!!

Lynn

Lynn, just been involved in radios for a short while so no, never had the pleasure. perhaps when another event comes along , I will have to get to one.
Lacquer over the top seems fine. I did test it before I did it and have not seen any thing strange. I just had it laying around and was to cheap to go buy more clear. I think that the 7 days for a full cure sure pass, and I didnt do that. It might take longer to fully cure. I wont have the chassis done for a week or so, hopefully cabinet will be fully cured before assembly. I can only hope mine to look as nice as that Emerson. Slick is what that is. Anything looks better than the dude on Fleabay doing the swirl oil paint dipped in water trick. Ish.

Hi,
The paint should fully cure/dry an about a month. Yes, that will still outgas and evaporate, even though you think it is totally dry. Smell the paint finish. If you can still smell the paint, it's still drying.

Lacquer on top of Fusion enamel? I wouldn't You might get lucky if it goes on thin, and dries fast. But if it doesn't dry, or it pols like in a corner, it will eat into the enamel and give you wrinkle paint If it doesn't you still make have a peeling condition somewhere down the line.

Now, you know they make a clear enamel. That might be a better choice if you want to apply clear. Generally, a nicely sprayed enamel will not need a clear. I'd prefer a semigloss finish on an old set. Glossier than satin, but duller than high gloss.

How's the lawsuit with the lacquer going?

The lawsuit? I guess everything is good. Cabinet looks like a million bucks. Soon as I restuff the electrolytics and get it playing, will post finished product.