Thread: Vintage brush restore help needed.

I am finally getting around to working on a vintage brush I have. The old knot was trashed so it has been removed. New knot is on the way from Golden Nib. The original knot was set in rubber in a clear Lucite handle. This made it easy to see the black rubber. My question is with all the original rubber cleaned out getting ready to set new knot is there a trick or way to color the epoxy to replicate the original look? Also how are you guys cleaning the handle before final assembly begins. Hope this makes sense.

I've done lots of reading on different forums for tinting Epoxy. What I have read to be the best, is an actual Epoxy tint specifically for tinting epoxy. What also works, and is easier to find is model paint from a hobby store or RC store. I've used this technique a few times now with great success. But it was only for filling holes, not for bonding anything. What I've seen other guys do who have restored clear handles is before epoxying in the knot, paint the inside of the hole with black paint. Model paint again would be a good candidate for that.

As for cleaning up the handle before assembling, I usually take it to a buffing wheel with some fine emery compound. Even some metal polish and a rag would get you far. Sometimes Really bad handles need to be sanded. I usually start at 400 or 600 and go up to 2500. You can even go into higher grits like micromesh. Wet sanding of course.

+1 on the paint, but make sure it is acylic paint, not oil. I found the acrylics do not affect the setting of the epoxy. Also a tiny drop goes a long way..

Yeah adam I was wondering if it would make a difference. Thought it would affect the epoxy. Going to try it I think. The handle is in really good shape so just some light polish should work. Just waiting on the new knot.