UBB.threads Forums General Interest Restoration, Conservation, and Maintenance Forum t do you do with damaged enamel? RLB etc!

I just started a thread on RLB daggers and wondered what collectors did when they come across RLB daggers or others that get enamel damage!

They get damaged very easy! I saw some a few yrs back that were damaged but passed on them!

I imagine they repair them now?

Whats your thoughts!

PVON

Years ago there was a fellow (can't remember his name)at the Meadowlands show he was an artist he would fill them with paint and make them almost new looking

I believe the enamel can be repaired by painting in the parts that are missing. You would probably have to apply several layers of paint, with each layer drying as you go. The paint would have to be built up higher than the edges of the swastika, then carefully sanded back down with a finely grained sandpaper, being careful not to damage the raised metal edges of the swastika. A polishing of the paint might then be in order.

You might try Golberg Restoration Company in Los Angelos (310-248-2608}. They do museum class restorations, I have used them on some family porcelain and enameled antigues after Katrina and the work was superb. Personally I would leave the dagger as is, the problem with restoring one aspect will be that it makes the rest of the dagger look shabby and stand out as a restoration.

what Grumpy says is correct- however new improvements in women's nail polish make this easier. New ones are thicker, go on easier than paint, become smooth surfaced and can be either dull or glossy- easy to redo if you make a mistake- I would repair this one- Mike

My fear is that the paint repair will show up under black light examination and throw doubt on the authenticity of the dagger and its value.

when's the last time you examined your daggers under black light?

i only use green light considering my purchase pattern.

Test the paint you choose under black light before you use it on the dagger. I haven't seen it all, but zi have not seen black enamel or lacquer glow under black light. I would go to a hobbt shop and get a small bottle of testor's paint, or something similar and a fine tipped brush. Also, some thinner if you don't have some already. The rest is time, patience and skill. You should be able to correct mistakes with the thinner.

I've had good luck using black lacquer to repair these. It dries with the same look of the original material. Black enamel paint can look just a little "off"

Enamel dries "shiny". laquer needs to be polished.

Semi-chrome does a great job of polishing it and the lacquer has the translucent look of original glass enameling.