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Argus Fairbrass
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« on: July 16, 2012, 11:56:55 am » |
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I'm trying to co ordinate my linen suit ensemble to be more or less the same colour. This will entail colouring my currently white (at least it was) pith helmet to a more natural beige. The style I have comes in two colours, white and khaki/sand which is too dark. On reading advice on restoring piths I understand some folks use emulsion paint. Obviously this comes in a wide range of colours so if it works it could prove ideal.
I just don't want to lose the cotton look of the covering, and I certainly don't want it to end up looking like plastic. I heard it's best applied thinly with a sponge, and I figured the small tester pots would probably be most suitable as they have a very matt finish. Obviously a chalky finish similar to blanco would be ideal (as opposed to the waxy shiny one). Has anyone else tried this? and if so do you have any recommendation on paint brands and know how much of an opaque coverage I can expect?
Cheers for any advice as always.
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Capt. Dirigible
Rogue Ætherlord
 United Kingdom
Shirts?.....I got plenty at 'ome.
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« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2012, 12:09:06 pm » |
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I've not attempted to paint either of my Piths but if I did I would go for a matt finish acrylic spray (assuming you can get the colour you require). I think you'd have more chance retaining the 'cotton look'. Alternatively a fabric paint spray would also do the job. Probably better as it's specially for fabrics. This one comes in 'sand' but that might be too dark for your requirements |
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Argus Fairbrass
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« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2012, 12:42:34 pm » |
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Damn, that stuff looks really good, but sadly not available in the colour I'm currently after.  |
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« Last Edit: July 16, 2012, 01:27:08 pm by Argus Fairbrass »
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Crescat Scientia
Gunner
 United States
Fabricator and temporally confused.
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« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2012, 07:19:49 pm » |
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So you are looking for the color of natural linen.
Have you considered dyeing rather than painting? Dye will sit much more lightly on the fabric than paint while not changing the fabric's texture or matte finish and also will allow it to continue to breathe, if that is a consideration.
By "emulsion" do you mean "acrylic" paint? Because that is plastic-based and cuts off all air circulation. You'll never be able to get the soak-it-with-water-and-cool-off-your-head effect.
"Tea dyeing" is very popular to give something stark white a natural, aged, light brown look.
You could try brewing very strong tea and spongeing that on the helmet. If the helmet is immersible you could simply immerse it in a bucket of strong tea, then let it dry.
And of course you can use less strong tea for a gentler, lighter effect.
It also has the advantage of being entirely non-toxic and non-allergenic (acrylics often have formaldehyde and ammonia in them).
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« Last Edit: July 16, 2012, 07:22:19 pm by Crescat Scientia »
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Argus Fairbrass
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« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2012, 11:51:24 pm » |
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Thank you, I did consider the tea thing, but obviously it's pretty difficult to predict the exact colour you're going to end up with. Dye is another option, but unfortunately the helmet is also water and grass stained already. I'm doing my best to clean it up, but It's proving difficult and I would imagine the stains are going to show through the dye. I could always get a new one and try of course, but I'm rather fond of this one and it's also taken me three days to soak and then shape it more to my head (hence the water stains)
Also future cleaning has to be a consideration, so obviously if there is something that can be applied, it can be re applied later if necessary. I am gravitating towards the tester emulsions, as obviously the colour choices are there, they are water based, and should end up being quite thin and chalky like Blanco.
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von Corax
Immortal
 Canada
Leverkusen Institute of Paleocybernetics
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« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2012, 07:47:33 am » |
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By "emulsion" do you mean "acrylic" paint?
I had to ask the same question once. Turns out "emulsion" paint is some weird hybrid stuff they only use in England.  |
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Argus Fairbrass
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« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2012, 07:55:07 am » |
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Lol really? sorry I just assumed it was an international term. Yes when I say matt emulsion I mean a flat finish water based paint, I believe acrylic is plastic so quite different.
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Crescat Scientia
Gunner
United States
Fabricator and temporally confused.
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« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2012, 02:09:56 pm » |
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Is it caseine then? That's a milk-based emulsion paint with a very matte finish.
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Vampyre Master
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« Reply #8 on: July 17, 2012, 02:47:33 pm » |
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the trouble with an outfit exactly the same colour is you end up looking like a blur, better for a slight variation
IMHO
VM
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Argus Fairbrass
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« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2012, 07:11:05 pm » |
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Still quite a stylish blur I'd like to think. No that's an interesting point I'll take it onboard. I can't say I've ever noticed that problem with "tick" suits before. The jacket and trousers are the same colour, the waistcoat is a separate so that's actually a lighter cream colour, I have a linen fedora which is natural linen as well and matches the suit almost perfectly, and the pith is currently a slightly grubby off white. As for casein I must confess I have never heard of it, I had no idea milk based paint even existed. Emulsion comes in various finishes, some have a higher oil or vinyl content to be easily cleanable. It strikes me the one I'm thinking about may not be terribly water proof. When it rains (and oh boy it does) the last thing I want is beige water dribbling all over me. http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/wall+ceiling-paint/wilko-matt-emulsion-paint-tester-pot-ahoy-75ml/invt/0192505/ |
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