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Discussions => General Discussion => Topic started by: RVJ87 on September 21, 2018, 02:00:24 AM

Title: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: RVJ87 on September 21, 2018, 02:00:24 AM
Hi, I'm looking for some advice about decorating melodeons. I have searched around on google and not really found very much. I bought a cheap chinese box a couple of months ago and I'd like to make it look a little nicer by painting some simple designs on it (flowers/butterflies/etc.). Would anybody be able to advise me as to which sort of paint is best for celluloid, and how to best approach a project like this/what not to do? All advice/input welcome.

Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: rileycat on September 21, 2018, 09:32:53 AM
Decades ago (oh dear, I'm that old!) I decorated my pokerwork with a design copied from Fairground art - very bright and striking, so not for the faint-hearted.  I took it from a book of photographs of fairground rides (dodgem cars as I recollect) and used Humbrol mini-pots of craft enamels on a black background, then lacquered over it.  It still looks glorious and is still an inversion of the original design due to a small mistake in having the instrument the wrong way up during painting - oops!
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: Winston Smith on September 21, 2018, 09:44:09 AM
I'm sure that a Melodeon.net sticker, or two, wouldn't go amiss, RV.

rileycat, how about a picture? It would "Paint a thousand words", don't you think?
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: Theo on September 21, 2018, 10:22:27 AM
I once spray painted a red celluloid melodeon black.  I used cellulose paint which bonds chemically to the celluloid.  I did a test first on a piece of scrap celluloid and I could bend the material back and forth till it snapped with no sign of the paint flaking off.
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: Winston Smith on September 21, 2018, 10:29:18 AM
Ah! Those were the days, Theo. When you could cut and polish till your heart's content. Cellulose, with the shine all the way through. Cars nowadays never look as good!
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: Howard Jones on September 21, 2018, 12:34:03 PM
I once spray painted a red celluloid melodeon black. 

Once the black Erica came on the market no one would be seen dead with a red one. I have one which someone converted rather more crudely - they ripped the celluloid off (taking some of the wood with it  :() and painted it with black gloss.  It looks a bit of a mess, but it plays OK, and it was cheap!
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: rileycat on September 21, 2018, 02:36:09 PM
Winston, I'm  afraid I've never managed to get my pics to 'take' to this site - just incompetence (a bit like painting my melodeon upside down!) However I will try once more.
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: Winston Smith on September 21, 2018, 04:33:17 PM
rileycat, if you're really having problems posting a picture, I'm sure any other member would be only too happy to do it on your behalf. All it needs is for you to send it to them via ordinary email, and Bob's your uncle!
If you want, you can send it to me, for instance.
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: RVJ87 on September 21, 2018, 06:08:45 PM
Thanks all for your responses. @rileycat- I never thought of using enamel.  I was a bit concerned I'd have to get all sorts of expensive paints and primers etc. I'm ordering some bright enamel paints today. I might go overboard and stick some rhinestones on as well la dino baffetti.
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: rileycat on September 22, 2018, 12:04:18 PM
Thanks Winston - I'll have a go at posting a pic, but if I fail I'd appreciate any help you or others can give. I can email the offending (!!) picture for expert posting to the site if someone can oblige. Regards Tony
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: rileycat on September 22, 2018, 02:54:43 PM
Here's my pics - I hope!!  Yeah it worked!  Please excuse the 'rust of ages' on the metal bits - much loved/used since 1970something.
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: Winston Smith on September 22, 2018, 03:07:55 PM
Well done!
Yes, I'd have estimated 70's, lol. I hope you were wearing your platform soles!!!!
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: rileycat on September 22, 2018, 03:15:05 PM
Platform soles - funny you should say that, Winston, they also had colourfully layered soles - known by my insulting friends as my 'fairy-cake' shoes. I quickly black-inked them over with felt pen - happy daze!
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: Malcolm Clapp on September 25, 2018, 02:38:57 PM
Here's another piece of subtle decoration....
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: Chris Rayner on September 28, 2018, 12:50:16 PM
Here's another piece of subtle decoration....

My goodness!  I’m working on an arrangement of All You Need Is Love.  That colour scheme would fit right in.😎
Title: Re: Decorating melodeons?
Post by: Johnnie Johnston on September 28, 2018, 04:12:00 PM
Here's my pics - I hope!!  Yeah it worked!  Please excuse the 'rust of ages' on the metal bits - much loved/used since 1970something.

Hi... Wow ! Awesome paint job.. Very nice.. Loud but nice..

Oh,,,????  Which way is Up?

Johnnie
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