Post #334320 by Koolau on Sun, Sep 23, 2007 1:04 AM

If it looks too rough, paint it. If it looks "well used", or you can convince yourself that the mug has a patina, leave it alone. Do what you think is best and don't sweat it - remember, it's not an antiquity.

If you've ever found a filthy Mr. Bali Hai and let him soak in hot water for a while, you'll know that the paint comes right off. Buy some matching water-based craft enamel, and just re-paint the formerly painted areas. I don't recommend patching - you'll never get a really good match.

The hardest skill is getting the right level of carelessness into your paint application. Remember, women were sitting in Japan painting 100's of those things a day - the got very good at slapping the paint on in (mostly) the right places.