What colour paint for SJ30?

[Gazpacho]

My SJ30 is badly scratched, and I'd like to patch it up with some paint, probably the same paint as some people use to paint their model cars or planes.

Has anyone got experience with this, and who could give some clour advice?

[MartinStockdale]

First warning - be very careful if you try to use car paint (cellulose based) - the cellulose thinner will damage the plastic! The safest paints to use are acrylic model paints - these are water soluble (when wet) so if you make a hash of it you can wipe it off with a wet cloth.

The problem with metallic paints (for modelling or any other use) is that it's very difficult to get a good finish with a brush, especially if you are trying to patch up scratches. Metallic paints will only work well if they are sprayed, but spraying a clie case would involve dismantling it and removing or masking the badges and labels. If you're working with a brush, use a good quality modelling brush with a small tip (No 0 or 1) and use the paint very sparingly.

Take a look at the Tamiya range of acrylic paints - there's a list here, for instance http://www.hobbylinc.com/paint/prods/rh_tam.htm. Your best options are the chrome silver (X-11) - which may be too bright! - or the flat aluminium (XF-16) which will dry with a flat finish (and may be a bit dark), but my experience is that if you buff it with a soft cloth when it's just dried (10-30 minutes after painting it) you can get a bit of a shine on it which will make it match a bit better.

Another option is the tamiya paint markers which are like a fibre-tip pen with paint in it, again the X11 chrome silver might work.

If I get a chance tonight or over the weekend and I can find my modelling paints, I'll look at the colours and compare them with my SJ30 and let you know which looks best.

[Gazpacho]

Hi Martin,

That would be absolutely fabulous if you could help me! Actually - the 'scratch' is even worse. I dropped my SJ30 on the kitchen floor, and a piece of plastic of the frontcover, just above the stylus and power on button, broke off. I glued it with glue for plastic model planes....

[MartinStockdale]

OK Gazpacho, I've dug the paints out and had a look:

First thing to note is that my paints are pretty old (it took about five minutes to get the lid off one jar) and paints do change colour with age, so my results may not be quite what you'll see.

To be honest, both Tamiya XF-16 (Aluminium) and X-11 (Chrome Silver) are a reasonably good match. If you can find XF-16, I'd go for that - it looks nearer to me. On my old paint, the sheen (gloss/flat) is about the same as the Clie, but you may find a new jar is more flat. As I said, buffing with a cloth (or your fingertip) when touch dry will help it to shine a bit more.

Don't expect perfection - you really can't patch metallic paint well - but it will probably look better than now. Remember, if you're not happy with the results, the paint will wipe off when wet with a damp cloth.

Oh, and buy a case before it gets any more damaged!

Hope this helps,

Martin

[Gazpacho]

Thanks very much for your help and info Martin! I'll go to the store when I have time, and I'll tell you the results. I've already ordered the Digital Express case from Brando.

Cheers!