Well now that the leaves are turning and the cooler weather is on the doorstep, I am retreating to the basement for another season of radio restoration.

Here is my question...

I am currently working on a Firestone Airchief that has a dial glass of the type that appears to have had the graphics painted on with a kids watercolor set. The glass is in desperate need of cleaning but I am very afraid because I tested one small corner and the paint flakes off VERY easily.

Does anyone have any advice or tricks for cleaning the glass that has this type of paint on it?

C,
Mild soap and clean cool water. Harsh detergents and spray bottle cleaners can destroy some of the older silkscreen dial glasses. I'm not an expert, but have had some unfortunate episodes under similar circumstances.

marv

:Well now that the leaves are turning and the cooler weather is on the doorstep, I am retreating to the basement for another season of radio restoration.
:
:Here is my question...
:
:I am currently working on a Firestone Airchief that has a dial glass of the type that appears to have had the graphics painted on with a kids watercolor set. The glass is in desperate need of cleaning but I am very afraid because I tested one small corner and the paint flakes off VERY easily.
:
:Does anyone have any advice or tricks for cleaning the glass that has this type of paint on it?

There are some dial scales that'll wash off with water alone. Your's seems to be one of them. Try rubbing the dial clean with a soft dry cloth. Keep in mind that this may remove paint as well. It also might not clean a really grungy dial. If your dial paint is really fragile and/or cheap, don't do anything to it until you can obtain a replacement decal. Perhaps you can find one at Rock Sea, or perhaps you can make one of your own. If you have a good graphics program and a good laser printer, scan the old dial and touch it up so that it looks perfect. Then print it on a water slide decal sheet. With luck you can adhere the new decal to the glass perfectly, without bubbles. You may want to practice on a spare piece of glass, first. The decal, by the way, will be no less fragile than the original. It may also turn yellow with age. If you are good at silk screening, this is the better route to take. With good enamels, you'll make one durable dial.

Thomas

:There are some dial scales that'll wash off with water alone. Your's seems to be one of them. Try rubbing the dial clean with a soft dry cloth. Keep in mind that this may remove paint as well. It also might not clean a really grungy dial. If your dial paint is really fragile and/or cheap, don't do anything to it until you can obtain a replacement decal. Perhaps you can find one at Rock Sea, or perhaps you can make one of your own. If you have a good graphics program and a good laser printer, scan the old dial and touch it up so that it looks perfect. Then print it on a water slide decal sheet. With luck you can adhere the new decal to the glass perfectly, without bubbles. You may want to practice on a spare piece of glass, first. The decal, by the way, will be no less fragile than the original. It may also turn yellow with age. If you are good at silk screening, this is the better route to take. With good enamels, you'll make one durable dial.
:
:Thomas

Thomas , I have done your suggestion of scanning on computer and then touching up, but I used clear plastic , the kind used for like overhead projectors , the only problem is white does not show up very good. You mention clear decal paper? I did not know this was availible, do you know where one might obtain this product? I sure could use this to make my own replacments for cabinet markings ,I.E. knob decals.
Thanks
Elton

RockSea has sold out to RadioDaze.com.
If you scan the dial and send them good artwork they may be able to make a new one. Chat with them first to see what is in stock and how they need art.
They are getting up to speed with all this now and learning but they seem to be eager and have a strong desire.

Not sure where to get water slide decal paper, but Rock Sea (now Radio Daze) does use it. It may be available at a hobby shop, or maybe one can order it for you.

Peter's idea is good.

I recommend silk screening with good enamels if you want a long lasting dial, though. I've never silk screened. My sister has, though, and has done a wonderful job, so I guess it's doable. Now, if you could only get a computer to precision print the wax onto the silk! Certainly hand drawing it would be tedious, especially since you must make a different silk for each color.

Thomas

I don't know the color scheme on the dial but you could substitute black or some other contrasting color on the dial plate. May not be quite as original but will be functional. PL

Usually glass dials are painted with colors, or light shades, since light is often shined through the glass.

Something interesting to take note of is that often glass that is side illuminated is actually tapered. It gets narrower towards the center, or towards one end when only one bulb is used (paint is applied to the other edge of the glass for reflection purposes).

T.

Thomas,
Remember the rub-on numbers, letters, phrases originally called Letraset, and still around under various names at many retailers. I think they were wax or some thin fragile material, but they worked. Now here's my question, why doesn't someone invent the same set, but with a mirror image for rubbing onto a clear plastic/glass dial scale on the back side. In different colors and styles the possibilities are endless. Back in the late '60's, I built a minature solid state AM/FM receiver with flywheel tuning. The front end, hand wound IF transformers, ratio detector, audio amp, polished alum knobs, and a blue edge illuminated dial scale/pointer all from scratch. I managed to create the mirror images I needed from a white Letraset. One divorce later, it was trashed. Wish I still had it. Of course with todays PC's, one could create the entire dial in any size, and printed on any material desirable.

marv

:Usually glass dials are painted with colors, or light shades, since light is often shined through the glass.
:
:Something interesting to take note of is that often glass that is side illuminated is actually tapered. It gets narrower towards the center, or towards one end when only one bulb is used (paint is applied to the other edge of the glass for reflection purposes).
:
:T.

That's another good idea, though it'll still rub off easily.

Thomas