Full Version: Retouching engraved name
I have a Sheaffer Jr. engraved with my grandfather's name. I can see the letters faintly, but whatever was used to fill them in (paint? gilding?) has worn away, except for a few flecks. I'd like to retouch the name and make it stand out again. What is the best way to do that?
Depends, if a temporary marking is acceptable, common methods include using soft eyeliner or fingernail highlighting pencils to emphasize the engraving. I have a tire marking crayon that works well. Rubbing the material into the engraving, then removing the residue not caught in the engraved letters results in a nice effect, and one that is completely safe, as it can easily be cleaned off.
A more permanent method, and one not so amenable to non-professional application would involve a paint or a more durable filler. As I am not qualified in this area, I'd prefer to leave such recommendations to the experts.
Regards,
Gerry
A more permanent method, and one not so amenable to non-professional application would involve a paint or a more durable filler. As I am not qualified in this area, I'd prefer to leave such recommendations to the experts.
Regards,
Gerry
Some folks like to use gold crayon to fill it in. I usually use rub-n-buff. In either case, you're likely to have to polish a bit to remove the bits in the scratches. Rub-n-buff will come off with naptha BTW, so is reversable.
I personally like the idea of highlighting the name on a pen. That name was usually put there for some special occasion, so it's special.... and the pen has a name. Instead of just a demi vaci, a friend has a vac demi with a name - Mable Moses.
I have a Sheaffer Crest with the name Geo Zorn on it. My grandfather was Jacob George Zorn, so it wasn't his pen, but it's cool to have the pen with the family name. (great pen too!)
I personally like the idea of highlighting the name on a pen. That name was usually put there for some special occasion, so it's special.... and the pen has a name. Instead of just a demi vaci, a friend has a vac demi with a name - Mable Moses.
I have a Sheaffer Crest with the name Geo Zorn on it. My grandfather was Jacob George Zorn, so it wasn't his pen, but it's cool to have the pen with the family name. (great pen too!)
[QUOTE=Ron Z,Oct 17 2006, 12:29 AM]Some folks like to use gold crayon to fill it in. I usually use rub-n-buff. In either case, you're likely to have to polish a bit to remove the bits in the scratches. Rub-n-buff will come off with naptha BTW, so is reversable.[/QUOTE]
What is this "Rub n Buff" of which you speak?
[quote]I personally like the idea of highlighting the name on a pen. That name was usually put there for some special occasion, so it's special.... and the pen has a name. Instead of just a demi vaci, a friend has a vac demi with a name - Mable Moses.[\quote]
Yeah, me too. I have an Eversharp Skyline named Don Bybee. I plan on using it to practice whatever technique I eventually use on the Sheaffer.
[quote] have a Sheaffer Crest with the name Geo Zorn on it. My grandfather was Jacob George Zorn, so it wasn't his pen, but it's cool to have the pen with the family name. (great pen too!)[/quote]
How cool is that!
What is this "Rub n Buff" of which you speak?
[quote]I personally like the idea of highlighting the name on a pen. That name was usually put there for some special occasion, so it's special.... and the pen has a name. Instead of just a demi vaci, a friend has a vac demi with a name - Mable Moses.[\quote]
Yeah, me too. I have an Eversharp Skyline named Don Bybee. I plan on using it to practice whatever technique I eventually use on the Sheaffer.
[quote] have a Sheaffer Crest with the name Geo Zorn on it. My grandfather was Jacob George Zorn, so it wasn't his pen, but it's cool to have the pen with the family name. (great pen too!)[/quote]
How cool is that!
Ron could that have been his nickname?
Hi yoyology,
'Rub 'n Buff' is a paste used to simulate or repair gold leafing, it will go onto almost any surface. It is a cheat but a lot easier than trying to put gold leaf onto plastic believe me.
Rub'n Buff works well and goes an awful long way, follow Ron's advice and clean up with a safe solvent, clean your hands and work surface carefully or else everything for miles will have little gold smears or spots on. Keep out of reach of kids, not only for health and safety reasons but also for wealth and sanity reasons, there will be gold everywhere and not where you want it and it will not come out of rugs or furnishings easily.
Don't even think about asking how I know this last bit, it is still a slightly touchy subject.
It is made by AMACO, there is what ie either a product code or perhaps a US phone number on the tube, it is (800) 374-1600.
I can't remember where I got mine from but I expect that it was a decorating supplier in the UK so you should be able to find it somewhere like Home Depot or of course any other reputable, or at least well stocked, store of a similar kind. If not there then try somewhere like Michaels or Ben Franklin craft stores.
I hope this goes some way to answering your question.
Cheers, John
'Rub 'n Buff' is a paste used to simulate or repair gold leafing, it will go onto almost any surface. It is a cheat but a lot easier than trying to put gold leaf onto plastic believe me.
Rub'n Buff works well and goes an awful long way, follow Ron's advice and clean up with a safe solvent, clean your hands and work surface carefully or else everything for miles will have little gold smears or spots on. Keep out of reach of kids, not only for health and safety reasons but also for wealth and sanity reasons, there will be gold everywhere and not where you want it and it will not come out of rugs or furnishings easily.
Don't even think about asking how I know this last bit, it is still a slightly touchy subject.
It is made by AMACO, there is what ie either a product code or perhaps a US phone number on the tube, it is (800) 374-1600.
I can't remember where I got mine from but I expect that it was a decorating supplier in the UK so you should be able to find it somewhere like Home Depot or of course any other reputable, or at least well stocked, store of a similar kind. If not there then try somewhere like Michaels or Ben Franklin craft stores.
I hope this goes some way to answering your question.
Cheers, John
Rather than quote two posts with questions, I'll answer them here......
My grandfather's nick name was Jake. I can still hear my grandmother saying "JAKE!!!" He was a cool guy who could fix anything. I can still remember the smell of his basement/workshop, and fiddling with the lathe and other tools. I have some of the, and hope to inherit more some day. He also made a lot of his tools. I have a bunch of his Popular Science and Popular Mechanics from the 1960s that he saved for ideas, marked and tagged so he could find them.
Rub-n-buff can be found at Michaels and AC Moore stores. I forget which department, but I usually end up wandering around until I stumble across an item that'll do what I want it to do.
Oxonain was right, a little goes a LONG way, and can get all over the place if you use too much and aren't careful!
My grandfather's nick name was Jake. I can still hear my grandmother saying "JAKE!!!" He was a cool guy who could fix anything. I can still remember the smell of his basement/workshop, and fiddling with the lathe and other tools. I have some of the, and hope to inherit more some day. He also made a lot of his tools. I have a bunch of his Popular Science and Popular Mechanics from the 1960s that he saved for ideas, marked and tagged so he could find them.
Rub-n-buff can be found at Michaels and AC Moore stores. I forget which department, but I usually end up wandering around until I stumble across an item that'll do what I want it to do.
Oxonain was right, a little goes a LONG way, and can get all over the place if you use too much and aren't careful!
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