MJE GWR Brass Smoke Box Number Plates, Painting Numbers White

[TheEngineShed]

The Modelmaster Jackson Evans GWR Steam Number plate sets come with BR smokebox plates as well as the cabside plates.  The smokebox plates have numerals that are brass coloured, like the cabside plates. 

 

Any tips in regards to painting the numbers on the smokebox plates white?  I have decals, and I was going to go that route for the smokebox numbers, but the MJE plates are really nice, colour aside...

[PMP]

There’s two reasonable ways  to get there. 
Spray the whole plate gloss white and leave to dry entirely. Once dry apply black paint, wait until nearly dry, and then rub the face of the plate across some paper. That should leave the numbers white. I use gloss white as the finish reduces any texture for the top black coat to get trapped in.

The less labour intensive way is dry brushing the numbers until they are white, and using thin washes of black to backfill the lowest areas of the plate.

Edited December 27, 2020 by PMP

[TheEngineShed]

Thanks Paul, I'd considered method two, the dry brushing, I'm not patient enough for method one.  I was considering white paint on a mirror, spread thinly with a razor blade.  Dry brushing sounds more controllable though...

[JeffP]

First method is easiest, trust me. 

[TheEngineShed]

8 hours ago, JeffP said:

First method is easiest, trust me. 

 

Thank you, I may just go that route, I have a half dozen plates, batch production would help...

[JeffP]

It does.

Rubbing on cartridge paper does the job better than printer paper too.

[The Johnster]

I’ve used MJE plates for many years and been very happy with them apart from this aspect, using ‘method 1’ with varying degrees of success.  My most recent acquisition, a Hornby 5101 which I have renumbered as 4144, is a departure from this and has Railtec transfers (the main number plates have relief, but the xfers are waterslide).  These have the advantage of not having to be cut from a fret and fettled, and you have a few minutes to fine tune the positioning, and the smokebox numbers are superb.   The ‘brass’ cabside plates are a tad bright, but easily toned down.