Need some advice on Testors silver paint

[nork]

I recently bought a used notebook from a guy. All is well with it, in fact so well that one thing sticks out.

The area where the mousepad and left and right controls, the left control is missing some silver paint.

So i thought, well, why not get some old model car paint and paint it. Couldnt find the paint so i went and got a small glass jar of silver paint.

I am thinking to simply paint these surfaces to make them look like new again. Would that be advisable?

If Should i give the surface a sanding with fine paper first? Should i "cut" the paint with some thinner first or use it as is? If it should be cut what would i use for that?

Thanks for reading this and helping me out.

On another note, i am 61 yrs. When i was in grade and high school i built model cars. Kinda proud of the newer ones i built. In those days they were doing electric windows and different stuff like that. Everything was candy apple red, lol. Not really, but that was a good choice. My father was not a nice person. One night he totalled all my cars and that put me off of building model cars. Once i grew up just a bit more i found chasing women was more fun than model cars, lol.

And then came a wife, children, divorce, work, etc. I just never found the time or desire to build another model car. but i went to the only hobby shop i know of, on the other side of town, just to get the Testers paint when i could have gone to home depot and got a can of spray paint. And while i was there i asked the price of model cars, she told me they run $16 to $20. So you never know, i may just say screw you to that ghost of the past and build a model car!! Id probably want to start with around a 65 Lincoln or a 59 caddy or a 57 bird, maybe a javelin or even a marlin or an amx.

I see you have a great website here.

thanks

[Scale-Master]

The Testors silver will wear off if used in the application you describe. It also will take a long time to dry.

Catalyzed automotive paint is about the strongest paint you could use in thi case, but the effort is probably not worth it.

[Harry P.]

Epoxy paint is pretty tough, it might work for you. Not sure if there is a silver epoxy paint, though. Check Home Depot or a similar store (the spray paint aisle).

[cobraman]

White gel pen ? Not sure it would last. Anyone sell replacement keys cheap ?

[Guest]

I think I would try using a silver Sharpie marker. I bought one for my eight year old son to use on his models. Seems to work pretty well.

[Harry P.]

White gel pen ? Not sure it would last. Anyone sell replacement keys cheap ?

I think he's talking about the touchpad area, not the keyboard.

[nork]

yes, its the touchpad, couldnt think of the word at the time.

I am going to try the silver sharpie, thanks for that.

[my80malibu]

The Testors silver will wear off if used in the application you describe. It also will take a long time to dry.

Catalyzed automotive paint is about the strongest paint you could use in thi case, but the effort is probably not worth it.

You could use Model master #28003 Silver it is Laquer based fast drying and durable. The silver Sharpie also would be a good choice.

[nork]

I will give the sharpie a try.

thanks for your help

[Art Laski]

Gary,

I can't advise you on the paint, but I will say, "Build a model!!!" You'll love getting back into it and relive the joy you felt as a kid. Glad to have you here.

-Art

[Alyn]

_{Many touchpads depend on the ability to sense the capacitance or conductivity of your finger tip. Painting the touchpad could certainly affect the sensitivity of the surface. I would avoid applying paint or any other treatment.}