Painting F1 Handset

[Kmoody]

I would like to try to paint an F1 handset red, for a red fire phone I'm making. Is it possible to paint the handset and have the paint stick and not chip off?. Or is better just to leave the handset black and not ruin a good F1?

[RDPipes]

I would like to try to paint an F1 handset red, for a red fire phone I'm making. Is it possible to paint the handset and have the paint stick and not chip off?. Or is better just to leave the handset black and not ruin a good F1?

Unless you use high grade 2k automotive paint the odds are that if the phone is used a lot it will finally chip as Western Electrics did no matter what and no matter what paint you use if it's mishandled.
I've had good luck painting a few but, you must do your prep work properly. First clean the hand set and caps thoroughly with soap and water, and take extra care in washing the ear and mouth pieces well because that's were most the oil accumulates. Dawn is good. Then sand it with 220 grit including the caps except for the WE stamping of course. When you think you're done, you're not. Then wipe it down real good with fresh Lacquer thinner.
The purpose here is to make sure NO OILS from you or what might be left after washing are gone. Oils will keep the paint from adhering properly and can cause fish eyeing in the paint. Use a good Primer like Rustoleum automotive applying several good coats, you shouldn't have to wait for it to thoroughly dry to start spraying the color.  Then put one light coat (tack coat) followed by 3 full covering coats about 7-10 minutes apart, that's called a "Flash Time" which allows each coat to gas off before the next is applied keeping the paint from thinner popping and not adhering properly. Finally the last coat should be fairly thick but, not creating sags or runs. I would do this in the summer when temps are at least 70 degrees or more but not above 80. This method also applies to a plastic body less the lacquer thinner because of it's affect on it or a metal case using the lacquer thinner.  For these phones I use Rustoleum brand paint, and I would not recommend Krylon because it has a much higher content of solvents in it then the other for several reasons.

[Kmoody]

Thank you for the great explanation on painting. I didn't know all the steps. I'll save this post for later when it's a little warmer outside. Maybe for right now, I'll buy a red G handset.

[HarrySmith]

There are Red thermoplastic F1 handsets. Not easy to find, but they are out there!