Anyone Paint Scales or Tangs?

What paints do you guys use for razors/scales? Anything to avoid? I was thinking about nail polish or model paint if that wasn't an option.

I want to paint letters in some celluloid/horn scales, some tangs, and I might even try painting the etching on the face of one blade since the gold is mostly gone.
On horn I figure you can remove excess with a little acetone, but that would damage celluloid.

I remember Rub N Buff being mentioned, but that might have been more for strops...


ALSO, has anyone painted figural scales? How did it turn out?

Attachment 341288

Did this set with a brown sharpie. Color n wipe with denatured alcohol.

I've used spray paint on horn and tangs, as well as wax, paint sticks/ rub n buff

Attachment 341289

I use rub-n-buff gold on blades and lettering on scales. You can use black model paint on shank. Rub it in letters and when dry remove excess with single edge razor blade and 2500 grit sand paper.

I just dont have much luck doing this. Some guys are great at it. I just make a big mess! Good Luck.

There was a thread or two in the workshop, on this type of subject. One I created myself, about how I paint horn scales.

I've used leather dye to get horn scales back to really black if they have faded. I've also used cold gun blue on blades and tangs to make the markings stand out. As Outback said there are threads in the workshop about that sort of stuff.

Bob

Yep. Richard (Geezer)...RIP
Attachment 341299
...did a thread on darkening an etching, as did I but I like his better.

As for painting tangs or scales I have not had good luck. I need to study that more I guess.

Anyone else painted colorful, figural scales?