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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.
😂 that's a pretty good argument
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.
No, I said no such thing. Quit putting words in my mouth.
What I said -- the only thing I said -- was disagreeing with your rationalizing of the wear as somehow a good thing.
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.
I'm not sure how much of a "lost artform" it can be when you can just buy a can of the stuff at Home Depot.
(Sure, that isn't "the good stuff" as per @Orbituary@lemmy.world, but IMO it's not a big deal. "Clear" and "thin" are the correct choices for OP anyway, so the only disadvantage to this premixed spray compared to buying flakes and mixing it yourself is that whatever is leftover in the can will probably go bad before OP has a use for it. Also, I've found spray shellac to be very easy to work with, but I suppose YMMV.)