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Post by washboardchris on Aug 21, 2011 20:33:22 GMT
Hi, I have just found a beautiful banjo in an auction & want to restore the pearl inlays to there former glory. The inlays are all there but the black in the engraved pearl has worn away. any ideas what to rub into the engraving to make it stand out ?
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Post by leeophonic on Aug 22, 2011 19:19:47 GMT
Chris,
Stewmac has a range of finishing products,dyes etc. Alternatively grind or sand down an appropriate colour (ebony etc) colour mix to an epoxy and fill, then lightly sand and oil finish.
There is plenty on the tinternet on this if you look under inlays.
Bye the way stay out of those auction houses!
Regards
Lee
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Post by Tymus on Aug 23, 2011 14:47:15 GMT
Hi Chris
I assume that what you want to do is re-blacken the engraved lines in the mother of pearl on an old banjo!
Originally these where usually inked in with “Indian ink”, it’s a simple process, ink is applied to the engraving and the excess mopped away from the surface leaving the ink in the grooves, after the ink is fully dry the surface can be cleaned and polished.
Sometimes powder and glue might have been used but I would strongly advise against using epoxy on an old instrument, any type of animal glue is a safe option as it’s totally reversible, mixed with a very fine black powder such as “vegetable black” available from a good artists suppliers.
Having said that, I think that your instrument was most likely done with Indian ink originally and as such I feel this would be the best way to re-do it!
Cheers Tymus.
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Post by washboardchris on Aug 24, 2011 6:15:55 GMT
Hi, thanks for your help. Chris
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