Hi all. Been a couple of beers between me last being on here tho I try & read the board every day.Anyways here`s the query given the millions of radios & the thousands of models - How is the lettering/numerals applied to the glass? Diligent signwriter/reverse osmosis? LOL.cheers

Usually, with some sort of chalky paint, it is silk screened on. There was more than one step with this for dial glasses that had more than one colour.

Because of the type of paint most often used, dial glasses rarely survive the cleaning process. Some were upmarket enough to be painted with enamel and that stuff would survive a nuclear explosion.

Welcome back.

Hi & thanks Brad.Had figured maybe screen printed but thought no because of the smallness of the letters.Hmm,ok.Gives me something to think about.Reason being i`ve spied an old radio (ironically not my usual Ferris collectable) but none the less a rather interesting piece but the dial lettering is pretty much shot.So we`ll see if it becomes affordable for me. cheers.
****** Well struck out with the radio I was looking at. An old Ansair Bus 2 way/combo radio.Little bit pricey for my hip pocket. Irrespective,i think who ever bought it will transform into its former glory.****** cheers

Ansair? I thought they only made buses in the last 10 - 15 years or so...

I lived in Tamworth for a few years once and they had a massive factory there building buses for the NSW Public Transport Commission.

Update: Upon looking it looks like Ansair was an offshoot of Ansett Airlines (always wondered about the similar "A" logos) and dates back to the 50's when Ansett also ran a busline.