Thread: Tips on re-painting a lever cap? (photos inline)

At the risk of spamming the forum I had a second question to chuck out for any boffins.

Does anyone have any tips for the best way to re-paint a lever cap from an old Bailey style plane? The patients in question are Falcon Pope No 4 and No 5 / 9 inch (doing both). Both originally were painted with a satin-nickel (my best description) paint and red paint in the shadow of the lettering - you will see some remnants in the photo.

I put both lever caps through electrolysis to remove all of the rust including within working parts for the lever, but so much of the red paint in the lettering recessed parts has come off, and enough of the other paint, that I think I should repaint. These planes are intended to be users with some fidelity to original - but not collectors or museum pieces (they are a dime a dozen on ebay).

My question is whether anyone has any tips on paints I could source in Australia (Supercheap, Bunnings, Wattyl stores etc) for priming and finishing and best methods.

I have already repainted the base plate but regret not using a primer. Even after an electrolysis process and scrubbing with acetone (so they are clean as can be), there wasn't great adhesion and I suspect I will have to re-do if I want it fussy-good. The topcoat (Wattyl Killrust) was advertised as not needing a primer - [insert expletive] .

I would prefer a spray-on primer for evenness but can't see any way to get around the risk of getting some in the lever cap working parts and ruining its function. I am thinking that any metal paint primer should be fine, using a throwaway tiny art brush near the lever and backing plate.

For the topcoat, I couldn't see any reason not to use (and have picked up) a satin Dulux metalshield as close to original as I can. I looked around but can't see any other brands with a non-gloss option and I think a gloss on the front part might make the whole thing look like a toy / hipster project.

I am struggling with what to do with the red base around the lettering - I will use a throwaway little art brush. The colour I found at Bunnings was a dark red ("Box Red") but the paint desk said it needs a True Red base. I dont' want to use any gloss or bright red as it will look too far off original and like a hipster vomit project. Specific questions are:

- What metal paint for lettering is out there in tintable red? I want a non-gloss but can't seem to find any from a red base, only gloss (Dulux Metalshield, Killrust and Rustoleum). I could only find tintable white in a satin.

- Do I even need to use a metal paint, for something indoors that shouldn't get knocked around (its in recessed sections, that should never be touching anything unless someone pokes something in there. Can I just use a generic acrylic or art paint over metal primer for that section?

- Any tips in painting the recessed parts of lettering? I was just going to use a tiny brush, when the other section is dead dry, not being too fussed about smudging or smears over the edge as I can just wipe off any that hits the top.

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