DIY Pewter kilt pin

[ccga3359]

I'm interested in making a kilt pin for my pride of membership in the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. As no kiltpin is available I have to make one. The available pins are too small but I can get a pewter keychain that measures 1 1/8" x 2" (27mm x 50mm) and with a little work have a prfect sized kilt pin.



My question is can I paint pewter and if so how? The colours involved are below:

[DougC]

this is going way back to hobie days...I believe you can paint pewter with enamel paint. This is the same idea as doing tin soldiers.

[tyger]

Sure, you can paint it! Just make certain that you have removed all oil/dirt from the metal first. I would use vinegar (a weak acid), and a toothbrush to scrub. Dry with a hair blower, then paint it. A toothpick makes a great tiny paint "brush."

[Woodsman]

I always used rubbing alcohol to clean a surface before painting. Remember the worst thing you can get on the surface before painting is the oils from your hand/skin. Clean it and handle it carefulluy(gloves, tweezers, etc.) before it's painted.

[BEEDEE]

A little work with a dremel tool and some fine files should remove the key ring tab. Epoxy a pin on the back and you will have a fine kilt pin.

The only problem that I see is that the new kilt pin will not go with a rubber chicken sporran.

Brian

[tyger]

When painting, the surface must have 'tooth' so that the paint will adhere with strength. Metals are etched before painting (self-etching primers are avilable at many auto supply stores), and vinegar- being a weak acid- provides this gentle etching effect.

[ccga3359]

A little work with a dremel tool and some fine files should remove the key ring tab. Epoxy a pin on the back and you will have a fine kilt pin.

The only problem that I see is that the new kilt pin will not go with a rubber chicken sporran.

Brian

You do mean a rubber floatation device chicken in SOLAS yellow, right Brian?

[Bassbarijpm]

One more point. After the paint dyes for several days ge a goog clear top coat on it to protect the paint. An clear acyic paint can be used or even a clear acrylic floor polish. The thing to remember is that paint is not a strong as the baked enemal on the pin pictured. It wil chip unless protected.

[DryFly]

I'll chime in and piggyback on Tygers suggestion. Vinegar makes a great cleaner / etching solution. It's also very affordable and much safer than commercial etching chemicals.

Clean, soak for a bit, rinse then dry. When dry its ready to paint.