Letter Perfect

[whiskers]

Somebody please save me. A friend did a great job making the letters OLIVER CROMWELL for me on his laser cutter. They fit perfectly on the stern of the model. Now the problem: how do I get the char off of the letters? Please don't tell me to sit here and methodically sand away at each one. I'm 68 years old. Don't want to be still doing this next year. One of you fine fellows has a better solution, right?

John

 

[Y.T.]

Hi John, I hope submersing your brass into this cleaning bath (this is sort of acid bath) would remove any color off the edges of the letters.

Krohn Sparex Granular Dry Acid Compoud No.2 10 Ounce : Amazon.ca: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Krohn Sparex Granular Dry Acid Compoud No.2 10 Ounce : Amazon.ca: Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.ca

 

[Bryian]

I think John is referring to timber letters. Only two choices I'm afraid, sandpaper them for hours or paint them.

.

 

[PT-2]

I think John is referring to timber letters. Only two choices I'm afraid, sandpaper them for hours or paint them.

.

Too bad that a slip off custom decal was not thought of or could be used on the model. Just a thought? PT-2

 

[whiskers]

Thanks guys. Yes they are wooden letters. I guess I’ll have to dig in and start the sanding. Hopefully I’ll be done by Christmas. Or maybe not.

 

[Jolley Roger]

Sandblast the char off with a mini air eraser.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-eraseretching-kit-69277.html

 

[jimmystratos]

Thanks guys. Yes they are wooden letters. I guess I’ll have to dig in and start the sanding. Hopefully I’ll be done by Christmas. Or maybe not.

Just don't commit yourself to which Christmas!

Bleach and re-stain?

 

[whiskers]

Just don't commit yourself to which Christmas!

Bleach and re-stain?

Once again thanks for your input. I will succeed!

 

[PT-2]

Thanks guys. Yes they are wooden letters. I guess I’ll have to dig in and start the sanding. Hopefully I’ll be done by Christmas. Or maybe not.

Depending upon the wood, if it was Chestnut you could have had some to roast around the Yule log as you sand away. PT-2

 

[whiskers]

Depending upon the wood, if it was Chestnut you could have had some to roast around the Yule log as you sand away. PT-2

Yes with 14 letters to attend to this might become a reality. It would be a Christmas to remember that’s for sure.

 

[Uwek]

If you have a Dremel or Proxxon drill, you can also use such Flexible silicon discs

working well with most of the char - maybe afterwards some light sanding with a fine grid

 

[Hubac’s Historian]

How small are these letters? Size informs approach.

 

[whiskers]

These babies are about 10 mm high and the width varies slightly from this depending on the letter.

 

[whiskers]

If you have a Dremel or Proxxon drill, you can also use such Flexible silicon discs
View attachment 187912
working well with most of the char - maybe afterwards some light sanding with a fine grid

Uwe
Are these discs sandpaper? I have so many accessories for my Dremel I’ve never used most of them. Are they identifiable by the colour blue?

 

[Hubac’s Historian]

So, they are just a hair taller than 3/8”. Before I tried to sand - which, unless you make specialized sanding sticks and employ a particularly light touch, are likely to deform the letters - I would try and scrape the char with a razor-honed #11 EXACTO blade. It will be much easier to get into the tightest corners with control.

No matter what, it’s going to be slow-going. Or, you could prime and paint.

 

[vintagemodeler]

If you want the wood grain face I would match the color best I could and just paint the edges. At that scale you would barely notice.

 

[StuG]

I have seen some Mini Sandblasters, similar to an Airbrush. There are a couple on Amazon for about $40.00. Might be just what the doctor ordered.

Good luck, Stu

 

[whiskers]

I have seen some Mini Sandblasters, similar to an
Airbrush. There are a couple on Amazon for about $40.00. Might be just what the doctor ordered.

Good luck, Stu

Once again thanks guys. Your ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[danielsje]

I do not think sanding or filing these at this size is going to be helpful...too small and I presume somewhat delicate. Vintagemodeler above has the better idea I think. Paint the edges of the letters with burnt umber or flat black. This may actually enhance them and help them stand out. Anyway...my one cent’s worth...

 

[whiskers]

I do not think sanding or filing these at this size is going to be helpful...too small and I presume somewhat delicate. Vintagemodeler above has the better idea I think. Paint the edges of the letters with burnt sienna or flat black. This may actually enhance them and help them stand out. Anyway...my one cent’s worth...

Only problem is the stern where they sit is black. I guess I could go with a light colour.