Bringing back the faded letters on my Micro mag valve.

[Adam45]

Yup just like it says. I want to make the lettering stand out on my Micromag valve. Its older and the letters are very faded. Is there any tricks that you guys know of to get some dye or paint etc... in the etching and make the letters come back out.

Thanks

PS also looking for a reverse Micromag valve.

[Frizzle Fry]

PS also looking for a reverse Micromag valve.

Such a thing does not exist...

Your choices for reverse valves are limited to Minimag, X-valve, and R/T Pro (from first to last respectively when it comes to ease of locating one).

[Adam45]

Such a thing does not exist...

Your choices for reverse valves are limited to Minimag, X-valve, and R/T Pro (from first to last respectively when it comes to ease of locating one).

A pair of matching Micromags with Minimag valves ........ dang.

[Ando]

If you want to bring back the lettering. There's a technique called antiquing. Basically get a black paint, paint it over the lettering and wipe off before it dries. I did it to one of my valves a few years ago. Still looks marvelous Dunk it in paint thinner will basically remove it.

The paint will seep into the lettering and won't wipe off.

[atech2]

What kind of paint did you use? I tried it, but didn't work.

[chafnerjr]

You could have it re-lasered as well. Probably at a pretty reasonable cost as well.

[Ando]

I think I used miniature paint. I use to be big into painting D&D miniatures which is where I got the idea from. Antiquing or as they called it in the miniature world "washing" is done to make your miniature look aged and also creates shadow effects. What a wash does is it seeps into all the cracks, crevices and folds of the miniature and "antiques" the newly paint job to make it have a darker, older, worn look.

You basically thin out the paint your going to use then apply with a brush. I also might have used rattle can spray paint. That type of paint you need to thin out with paint thinner. It was done many moons ago so I don't remember what I used but the technique is all the same. Just thin out whatever paint your using then apply and wipe. You might have to let it dry a bit so the paint in the lettering doesn't come up with the wipe. The outcome will very. If your lettering isn't very deep in the metal, It might not work at all. I have a classic which the lettering looks like it was rolled stamped and has no depth in the lettering. For this process to work you need something for the paint to seep into. This will also bring out any nicks and dings you might have on your valve so make sure you tape off only what you want shown and don't worry. If it doesn't come out right, you can always dunk the valve into paint thinner or water for water soluble paint and start over.

EDIT:

I'm pretty sure what I used was miniature paint. Thing is, most miniature paint back in the mid 90's (when this was done) was Acrylic-based I believe and some water based. I know for a fact I would thin out my paints with thinner and I remember getting little light headed from the fumes as well.

Using a water based paint in this application would be silly so thin out some black spray paint, apply with a brush and see how it comes out. It might take you a few tries to get it right so don't get discourage.

Also the miniatures back in the day we're made out of lead, not the girlie plastic and pewter which is what most are made out of today.

Real men get lead poisoning

[OPBN]

Might try going to a hobby shop and getting model paints. They are enamel and last pretty well. We used to use a simliar technique as Ando described.

On a side note, I was cleaning up an Emag valve that I just got and was thinking I would have to try and repaint/restore the white lettering. Amazing what a toothbrush and some denatured alcohol will clean up... Looks virtually brand new now.

[reckid1986]

i second the soft brush and alcohol. i did it to my emag valve and it cleaned it really good.

[sjrtk]

Real men get lead poisoning

My last deer burger got high velocity lead poisoning. I don't suggest getting that kind.