Painting metal switchplate - is acrilic paint good? also scratched pcb

[green-squid]

I have this Zenith switchplate that got scratched up while removing the switches with a screwdriver and it already had tiny rustmarks. My plan is to get some colorful acrilic paint (in a can, like the one in the picture) and put a coat of paint on it.





Also, while desoldering, I scratched two traces (and lifted a bit of a solderpad) on my PCB. Is using jumper wires OK?



Thanks in advance !

[scottc]

I did this with my SGI granite plate! It was in really bad state, lots of rust etc. I would sand the whole plate down evenly, then give it a coat or two of primer and another coat or two of the black paint.

Using jumpers for the PCB should be fine.

[green-squid]

I did this with my SGI granite plate! It was in really bad state, lots of rust etc. I would sand the whole plate down evenly, then give it a coat or two of primer and another coat or two of the black paint.

Using jumpers for the PCB should be fine.

What is a primer coat? I don't want a black color. Something very colorful instead.

[Dingster]

I did this with my SGI granite plate! It was in really bad state, lots of rust etc. I would sand the whole plate down evenly, then give it a coat or two of primer and another coat or two of the black paint.

Using jumpers for the PCB should be fine.

What is a primer coat? I don't want a black color. Something very colorful instead.

The primer coats will cover up any dings or imperfections that appeared during sanding (and the small dents from your screwdriver). It also makes for a better surface for the main paint to "grip" on The primer is usually grey but you will cover it up with your desired paint anyway.

[green-squid]

I did this with my SGI granite plate! It was in really bad state, lots of rust etc. I would sand the whole plate down evenly, then give it a coat or two of primer and another coat or two of the black paint.

Using jumpers for the PCB should be fine.

What is a primer coat? I don't want a black color. Something very colorful instead.

The primer coats will cover up any dings or imperfections that appeared during sanding (and the small dents from your screwdriver). It also makes for a better surface for the main paint to "grip" on The primer is usually grey but you will cover it up with your desired paint anyway.

I see. Thanks bro!

[scottc]

What Dingster said! I assumed you’d be spraying it black but of course you can paint it whatever colour. Post photos once you’re done!

[green-squid]

What Dingster said! I assumed you’d be spraying it black but of course you can paint it whatever colour. Post photos once you’re done!

This is as good as I could sand it down. No painting yet because it's cold outside.

[Dingster]

No problem man good luck with the painting

Sanding looks good imo

[Sangdrax]

Use a heavy enamel spray for durability. The stuff that's common and super cheap is the cans branded for recoating appliances. Very good coverage but color selection is pretty small. White, black, red etc.

I used the black for the steel bumper I welded for my jeep like five years ago and it still maintains a nice shine. And I used the same stuff on the Futaba plate I had to sand and restore recently.

I would not recommend a high build primer for this sort of thing unless the tolerances around the switches are pretty loose. Otherwise, you're going to run into fit issues.

For the PCB electronics, as long as the lifted pad has good continuity when resoldered to everywhere it's suppose to connect, don't worry. And for the scratched traces, just use good a non-conductive lacquer for repair. It's just lacquer coating the traces in the first place. Nail polish is particularly good for this. I've seen stuff like the adhesive from a piece of tape eat through the board lacquer after thirty or forty years and a quick brush isolates the traces again better than new.

[green-squid]

Use a heavy enamel spray for durability. The stuff that's common and super cheap is the cans branded for recoating appliances. Very good coverage but color selection is pretty small. White, black, red etc.

I used the black for the steel bumper I welded for my jeep like five years ago and it still maintains a nice shine. And I used the same stuff on the Futaba plate I had to sand and restore recently.

I would not recommend a high build primer for this sort of thing unless the tolerances around the switches are pretty loose. Otherwise, you're going to run into fit issues.

For the PCB electronics, as long as the lifted pad has good continuity when resoldered to everywhere it's suppose to connect, don't worry. And for the scratched traces, just use good a non-conductive lacquer for repair. It's just lacquer coating the traces in the first place. Nail polish is particularly good for this. I've seen stuff like the adhesive from a piece of tape eat through the board lacquer after thirty or forty years and a quick brush isolates the traces again better than new.

Thank you! I will get green or orange spraypaint for the second coating.

I ended up soldering jumperwires to the cut traces. Not the nicest looking solution, but it'll do. Hopefully I soldered the wires to to the right places

[green-squid]

And now I'm not sure wheter I should put matias clicky switches in it. may be too stiff. And maybe I could buy a whole board that I'll like better at webwit's clearance sale. What switches would you put in there?

[Dingster]

And now I'm not sure wheter I should put matias clicky switches in it. may be too stiff. And maybe I could buy a whole board that I'll like better at webwit's clearance sale. What switches would you put in there?

I love linears so green alps get a vote from me

[green-squid]

And now I'm not sure wheter I should put matias clicky switches in it. may be too stiff. And maybe I could buy a whole board that I'll like better at webwit's clearance sale. What switches would you put in there?

I love linears so green alps get a vote from me

I'm selling my green alps from the board though.