Painting early-30s celluloid

[lallin]

In the early 1930s, Inkograph made Mickey Mouse pens and pencils under license. The writing instruments were black celluloid and had a Mickey Mouse head on the cap; Mickey was black with white face. In the only example I have seen up-close, Mickey appears to have been painted white, then black over the ears, back of the head and pupils of the eyes.

 

What type paint is likely to have been used?

 

[teej47]

In the early 1930s, Inkograph made Mickey Mouse pens and pencils under license. The writing instruments were black celluloid and had a Mickey Mouse head on the cap; Mickey was black with white face. In the only example I have seen up-close, Mickey appears to have been painted white, then black over the ears, back of the head and pupils of the eyes.

 

What type paint is likely to have been used?

 

Barring an actual reference, a couple pretty good guesses can be made. 1930's paint de jour would have been oil based, and the white pigment was derived from lead. So if you happen to find one, don't eat Mickey.

 

Tim

 

[ZeissIkon]

For modern paint, I'd suggest nail polish. Common types are mostly nitrocellulose (virtually the same as celluloid) in a solvent that's mostly acetone and/or xylene. It should adhere well to celluloid, though it might soften the surface temporarily where you apply it.

 

It's very possible similar paint was used originally; in the 1930s, when celluloid pens were common, most aircraft were covered with fabric that was "doped" with a solution very similar to modern nail polish, which served both to seal and to shrink the fabric taut, as well as protecting the fabric from sun degradation. "Airplane dope" was also sold in hobby shops and toy stores in those days, for coating model airplanes, could be had in a pretty wide range of colors, and the bond it would form with celluloid would make it very permanent.

[Vintagepens]

It is possible that nitrocellulose lacquer was used originally. If so, surviving examples should show wear-through of the paint, but no flaking, since the use of such like materials would guarantee very strong adhesion. I haven't looked closely at any examples for a while, so cannot comment further on paint ID.

 

I would strongly recommend against using any such paint for restoration work nowadays, however. Nail polish would be even less advisable. The last thing you would want is to damage or destroy the original plastic surface, so strong solvents should be avoided here at all costs. I'd recommend the use of an acrylic paint. When dry, it is very tough, but until it sets up, it can be removed easily without damage to the original surface.

[lallin]

It is possible that nitrocellulose lacquer was used originally. If so, surviving examples should show wear-through of the paint, but no flaking, since the use of such like materials would guarantee very strong adhesion. I haven't looked closely at any examples for a while, so cannot comment further on paint ID.

 

You have just described the condition of the paint on the pencil I have in-hand. There is no evidence of flaking, paint is is evenly worn from the high surfaces.

 

Thanks for sharing your expertise; if I decide a touch up is warranted, I'll specify acrylic.

[Vintagepens]

Worth noting that this is a crossover collectible, so the Mickey collectors may have different standards here. It might be that repainting the face is much worse than leaving it alone, according to the prevailing standards of desirability.