"Fixing" a cheap cantle

[Tartan Hiker]

Like many of you, my BX (Before X-Marks) purchases weren't as well informed as they could have been. With a formal event imminent, I ordered a cheap-o fur sporran. I was really taken aback by the chromed cantle (just like the one in this photo I snitched from an e-Bay auction )


Becoming increasingly appalled by the sporran, it got shoved to the rear of the accessory drawer. My wife developed a strident and somewhat frightening dislike of the poor, neglected item. What to do?

I tried finding a replacement cantle, but the ones I could afford weren't really much of an improvement.

Finally I decided that I could improve the looks of the existing cantle with a bit of work.

Chromed steel is notoriously hard to paint, even with acid etching and other treatments. I needed a simpler solution, so here's what I did.

I gave the whole thing a good rubdown with 0000 steel wool to cut the shine a bit. My belt buckle is pewter, and I needed to tone down the chrome shine.
Next I scrubbed it with a toothbrush and some good grease-cutting detergent. Using my smallest art brush I applied three coats of flat black enamel (Testor's model car paint). It looked better, but the paint didn't stick to the chrome worth a toot. After the paint dried thoroughly I masked the edges of the cantle, and the round disc in the center, with masking tape. I then sprayed it with 5 coats of clear satin enamel. This material dries tough as nails, preventing the black paint from being scratched off, and giving thew paint a "deeper" look in the bargain.

Here it is. I'm not sure my wife's totally changed her mind about it, but I'm much happier with the way it looks, and I didn't have to shell out a bundle for a new sporran!

[McMurdo]

I like it, great improvement on the original. Excellent work, the talent abounds around here.

[Bugbear]

Glad it worked, someone else was using BBQ/ stove pipe paint to do stuff like that, but I don't think it was crome steel.

[Marshal Moroni]

Sweet!!!

Your project work made a huge difference, nicely done.

Cheers,

[Monkey@Arms]

Wow! That came out great!

Best regards,

Jake

[Freelander Sporrano]

What a great idea. I've got one like it at home in the draw. I'll have a go when I get the time

[Arizona Scot]

Wow the difference is amazing, glad it turned out ok for ya.

[O'Neille]

Thanks for that. I've got the same cantle on an ebay special black bunny. I was tempted in the past to put some color on it. After seeing how yours turned out I'll have to give it a try.

I may use a self etching epoxy primer under the paint and see how that turns out.

[kiltedinUSMC]

Good job, I like it.

[Arlen]

That is very, very nice.
I've been seriously thinking about getting an enamel sporran. This gave me a new project.
Thank you!