Tricks for painting lettering on heater control panel?

[torredcuda]

I`m painting the white letters on the heater control panel using a paint pen but not happy with the results, any other methods?

[blown motor]

Here's a thread on it that might help.

https://forum.e-bodies.org/interior/6/radio-bezel-plus-heater-control-bezel-restoration/10503/

[750-h2]

I had success by first spray painting the letters [panel] with white lacquer paint. Once dry you use a gray scotchbrite pad to slightly sand the panel around the letters. Then top coat with black enamel. while paint is drying remove black paint from letters using a Q Tip  slightly wet with household paint thinner [Varsol]. You will go through many Q Tips.

[blown motor]

Interesting approach @750-h2  I think that's the reverse of how most people do it but I can see how it would work.

[750-h2]

I find this method works better than a paint pen when it comes to small letters. Problem with paint pens is that they tend to fill the inside of the small letters with paint.

[RUNCHARGER]

Yes: Paint pen will make a mess. I have tried white paint on a rubber pad, that works better I think.

[torredcuda]

Yes: Paint pen will make a mess. I have tried white paint on a rubber pad, that works better I think.

The paint pen is either too dry or too wet. I thought of the pad stamp idea or maybe see if I can find a fine point paint pen.

[aussiemark]

The way I do it is get a spray can of white paint, spray some into the cap until you see a bit pooling, the get a tissue and fold it up into a long strip then run it over the tip of your index finger holding it tight on both sides with your thumb and middle finger dip it into the paint then gently wipe it across the raised letters  (not too much pressure). It works well because the tissue is very absorbent so you won't get too much paint, just enough to do the tops of the letters.

[blown motor]

I tried the rubber pad but I couldn't get it right with that either.

[anlauto]

I used to use a 00000 brush, model paint, and patience but the old eyes aren't so good any more.
I use a paint pen now with even more patience

[318Stroker]

I chucked my panel lightly into my vise, face up, with towels for padding. Get a new pencil with an unused eraser on it. I use Testors model paint. Put a little bit on a piece of cardboard. Lightly dab the eraser into the paint and wipe off an excess. You want nothing more than a light film on the eraser. Go straight down with the eraser onto the letters. Lightly dab it. Since there is only a light paint film on the eraser, no excess paint will run down the sides of the letters. Don't worry about full coverage on each letter with the first pass. A few more dabs and you're done. My letters came out crisp and perfect. I did need a few attempts to get it right, and I used paint thinner to clean it up for the re-do. After about 20 minutes of perfecting my technique, it took me about 10 minutes to do it. I used a paint pen on the rectangular border.

[Spikedog08]

Hmmm I've had pretty good results with a paint pen . . 

[Burdar]

A fine tipped paint pen worked fine for me.  I went around the letters once and let it try.  I was careful not to let too much paint come out of the pen.  I ended up being a little too conservative with the paint and needed to go over the letters a second time.  On my Dart's gauge face, I tried the "eraser dipped in paint" thing and it didn't work for me.

[EV2RTSE]

I believe the credit for these pics goes to Dave Walden when he did his white & blue Challenger. It's also basically the method 750-h2 was describing.

[anlauto]

I don't doubt the source of those pictures, but I'M SHOCKED that the highest scoring OE judged Challenger in the universe would have the heater bezel painted "SEMS black" when they were never painted black for the factory