Question: Black sidewalls

[Ste82]

Probably this is not a fundamental question.. how do you avoid your sidewalls being covered by black paint? I put a lot of time in keeping my sidewalls sparkling and the blackening process ruins all the effect, i've tried going back with a toothpick to clean the sides, but in this way i've also ruin the paint in the background. I've also tried to dilute paint but in this way it lose the blackening capacity, still not a working solution for me
Thank you all

 

[monk]

maybe the type paint you're using could be the culprit. many are happy (myself included) with good old rustoleum flat black.

 

[Brian Marshall]

Try gently warming the piece - from the bottom if it is made of sheet.

That seems to draw slightly thinned paint down a bit more...

Knife bolsters may be problematical because of their thickness, and being engraved on both sides.

Gravity plays a part in the above method for plates...


Brian

 

[quickcut07]

Maybe tape off an area masking tape, pin striping tape there is various sizes and styles. Painters used it for years to tape of designs on cars and motorcycles some pretty intricate parts or designs. This all depends on how you are blackening your work. In some cases you may need a resist product that can be cleaned off after your blackening solution has set.

Eric

 

[LVVP]

I use old rustoleum flat black too.

 

[Dani Girl]

paint of choice

I use oil based speedball black printing ink more than anything else... I rub it on thick and then take a tissue, rag, cotton tip and rub most of the ink out leaving only a thin layer that's still black but no shiny puddles left behind that ruin engraving... I find the sidewalls still sparkle through that even if there's a tiny bit on there. Worth a try. It takes a few days to really dry, faster the thinner it is, and you can put it through a heat treating forge and it stays there!

 

[Ste82]

I'd like to clarify that i'm happy with my results in matting the background, i reach a smooth and deep black result, my concern is to enhance my work on sidewalls, because now they are not neat and sparkling due to the excess of paint.
Maybe is normal and can't be avoided
@ Thnk Monk..i know almost everyone use rustoleum, but i can't find it in italy, i have make some test with ones available here
@ Brian, i'll sure give a try at your trick, it have sense to me!
@ Quickcut07, sorry but i didn't understood your method...!
@ Dani Girl, i do the same as you.. but was looking for a better way to do it, maybe is not possible!
Anyway thank you all for your time!!

 

[LVVP]

You are welcome, Stefano

 

[Frank P]

I don t know what method you use to put the paint in nor the size of the surfaces.
But maybe try to avoid to put paint on them by changing your method..
If you are rubbing it in.. I would suggest you put the paint in very carefully, small Drops on a toothpick for example...

 

[Ste82]

Hi Frank P, my surfaces are relatively small, mostly knife bolsters but your suggest surely deserve a try, probably is gonna taking a lot of time to do each cavity one at a time! )

 

[tim halloran]

Ste82: Try using Sharpie permanent marker. Your side walls will still shine through, and your background will still be black. If it gets messed up just clean it off with a little acetone and redo.

 

[scott99]

Hi, you can clean up sidewalls with a hard stick (bamboo, box wood and the like) sharpened to a point with a flat side on it. Just go around the sidewalls literally scraping the paint off the walls. Its a bit tedous but can be done. Watch out for "soft" areas where the paint or ink may not be completely dry.

scott99

 

[LVVP]

Or you can use a jell for removing paint, works for me

 

[monk]

ste82-- i'd think any flat black of reasonable quality would work as well as rustoleum. it should be petroleum-based, not latex or water-based.

 

[Dani Girl]

I noticed Sam our Benevolent dictator waters his down a little with thinners which might be why he has such good results... worth a try.

 

[Ste82]

Thank you all again! I'm writing all your suggestions and will try each find a solution.
Thnks again