MTFCA Forum

I received a request to upload photos of embossed pieces I painted by using 400 grit sandpaper wrapped around a nail to reveal the high spots.

What about the hubcaps Richard? I know they did them in 1913-15. I'm not sure about 1912.

I tape off the outer edges of the hubcaps, then paint the entire top. I then let it cure for a week. I then wet sand them till the raised parts are completely showing. Followed by polishing the brass.

When the raised letter edges are rounded off, how do you keep from squaring off the edges after painting and are removing the cured paint from the raised letters?

I have done this with the patent plates of “Victor” and “Edison” phonographs when I was into restoring antique phonographs. Once the paint has been built up in the area between the letters to the top of the letters, I let it dry hard, then wet sand it on a piece of 1200 grit wet/dry sandpaper. You can then, polish the paint and the raised metal portion with a good rubbing compound. I use Meguiar’s rubbing compound which will polish both the paint and the brass metal to a mirror shine. If you want a good flat surface, cut an old soft T shirt and stretch it flat on a table and tape the corners of the T-shirt to the table top, squirt a little rubbing compound onto the cloth and rub the painted badge, key, or patent plate back and forth until the paint and metal is polished to a high shine. If the background paint has been built up to the top of the letters, the paint and metal can be polished in the same application. Jim Patrick