I have this cheap binder clip from Amazon, which wasn’t actually cheap imo, but whatever. I like the cat. I’d like to keep using it, but the “brass” paint is rubbing off, and it smells like metal. I think it reacts with the oils in my hands or something. I’ve only been using it for a few weeks.
Is there something I can do to keep it looking nice and perhaps prevent it from wearing down so quickly?
Get clear coat spray. Test a little in a spot that isn’t visible to make sure it doesn’t react with the surface negatively. Spray some onto cloth that won’t leave behind fibers or you’ll be sad, then wipe a little on a corner and make sure the material and surface coloring don’t react or run.
After you’ve let it dry, check it.
Hang it from a wire or something so you can get all sides in one pass.
Spray clear coat LIGHTLY.
Like… SUPER LIGHTLY. One small pass. Let it dry. Spray from about 6-8 inches from the clip and move your hand in one direction smoothly… left to right or whatever. Don’t do the hairspray thing where you’re just dousing it.
Look at the clip again, make sure you’re not messing it up.
Spray again LIGHTLY.
You don’t want to build up a thick goop on the outside or it will be awful looking and you’ll ruin your thing.
Let it dry.
Don’t handle it while it’s drying.
Did I mention to spray LIGHTLY? (It will make all the difference).
Ive got an expert spray painter I can call on to help me with this.
Do you think I could repaint some of the brass color that has come off already?
You could, but I think that if you preserve it as-is, you’ll be happier.
I work on vintage guitars and other instruments. Wear and tear is called “patina,” which I’m sure you’ve heard. In years to come, you’ll come to enjoy that little bit that’s gone away… but if you try to fix it, it might get worse and you’ll end up like Calvin trying to cut his own hair.
On one hand, the patina of real brass oxidizing can be pretty nice. On the other hand, the ‘patina’ of brass-colored paint rubbing off of plastic or pot metal or whatever the Hell that thing’s actually made of… not so much.
So, you’re saying that OP, asking for advice on a simple clear coat, should just wing it and try to color match then paint the rubbed off copper themselves?
Cool. Great advice.
Alternatively, there’s always Shellac - it’s kind of a lost artform now but it’s a really awesome material to use.
It’s a lost art form because it’s not easy to work with and you often have to buy it from specialty stores to get the good stuff. It’s made from insect carapaces. I use it when refinishing guitars for an aged, amber appearance.
Maybe a couple of coats of slightly thinned clear nail polish?
Don’t do this.
Edit: People, read my post. I’m saying this from experience. Don’t do this. Putting “maybe a couple of coats” of nail polish is a recipe for OP ruin their object if done poorly.
Don’t down vote me because you don’t like my tone. I’m trying to protect OP’s little treasure. Stop being so damned reactive and sensitive.
Haha, thanks for the care you took in outlining steps on your other post. I’ve definitely ruined stuff with the nail polish before. It’s just not very strong, and even if it is ok to begin with, it doesn’t last.
I promise I won’t do this 😂
Nail polish needs UV to cure properly and it becomes glassy and will break over time. It might bond with the surface of the clip and pull little bits of paint up with it, making it look worse… and that’s only if it doesn’t get gooped on and look runny afterward.
This person is correct.
I’ve finished, painted, sealed, and repaired enough stuff to know that “maybe try clear nail polish” is a terrible idea for OP.
Nail polish is very hard to get to go on smoothly over a large area and OP is very likely to end up with an uneven or marred finish. If you just put down nail polish, you are not going to get a lasting finish on much of any material without cleaning and degreasing it first.
I would clean/degrease (I don’t know what to use as I can’t tell what the material is). I would lean toward using some type of spray top coat (again, I don’t know which product because I don’t know the material). You still need to know how to spray on finishes, but I find it much easier to do well than brush on finishes.
So I found the link on Amazon and one of the listings says it is brass coated zinc alloy. The cat detail looks like enamel.
My best guess is to use a spray lacquer for enamel, such as this:
I suspect the “brass” over zinc that is on that clip isn’t just brass - if it were brass plated zinc, I’d be totally comfortable using that spray lacquer over it. Instead, it’s probably some type of brass colored paint (or paint containing actual brass.
This means that you have mystery paint (and mystery “enamel”) that you are trying to coat. Because of that, no matter what top coat you choose, there is a chance it won’t work well and the solvents in the top coat could melt/harm the clip.
But… if I were in your situation, I would try the spray above and cross my fingers.
If you go that route:
Gently dab a bit of rubbing alcohol somewhere that you won’t be too sad if it hurts the finish. Give it a little rub. If it doesn’t mess with the finish, then you’re probably good to use rubbing alcohol to do final cleaning before top coating with lacquer.
Spray a tiny bit of the lacquer on a something (like the corner of a paper towel. immediately rub it on a spot on the clip to do the same type of test. Is the finish ok? Then you’re probably good to proceed.
Before spraying, clean the clip gently but thoroughly with dish soap and water. Rinse well. Dry well.
Give the thing a good rub with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol to get any other remnants/grease off the clip before painting.
Give the clip a light coat of spray enamel. Follow directions for ambient temperature and recoat time. Give it another coat a bit heavier. Maybe even a third.
Let it dry and cure for a long time. The lacquer will seem completely dry and “done” after a day, but it won’t be fully cured. Giving it time to fully harden before messing with it too much.
Other notes: dust is your enemy. It’ll stick to your top coat while it’s drying. Try to minimize dust and similar nasties.
If you haven’t done used spray cans much, learn to use them first. Do a practice pass on something you don’t care about. It’s really easy to put on too much and have your clearcoat run. No fun.
