Re: Portlandon's 1955 400

Posted by BH On 2014/2/27 16:35:21

We used brayers that had a metal frame, wood handle, and a 4- to 6-inch wide, smooth-faced, rubber roller in HS art class for block printing. You should be able to find brayers like that in a couple of different widths at most mass-market arts-n-crafts stores.

I've long wondered about using a brayer (though perhaps with a narrower roller) for the valve cover lettering, but have never tried it. I suspect that print-making process would lend itself to paint as well ink - that is, roll the paint out on a sheet of glass with the brayer and then apply the roller to the raised letters.

As for what paint to use, I've seen raised letters on valve covers done, by hand, with One-Shot sign painter's (and pinstriping) enamel - with mixed results. However, I'm not sure if there's a stock color that will match every need, and I've no experience in custom mixing colors with that product.

Dunno how the ivory engine enamel would work.

One problem I can envision with using a brayer is that after the roller completes one full rotation against the cover, you'll have to go back to the glass and pick up more paint.

Look forward to seeing your results.