With all the fuss over what to use to color the black paint, why not
go down to the local hardware store or art supply store and buy a tube
of black color, or dip into your supply of graphite and see if it will
disperse finely enough to serve as a pigment?

As for dissolving an old phonograph record, who knows -- the grit
intended to prolong record wear may enhance the wear characteristics
of the painted surface.

For black interior of the spool box I simply bought high gloss black
spray paint for $2 and with a little practice I was able to create
a shiny black surface with good wear characteristics.  It has far more
resistance to alcohol or water spills.

Bill Chapman,
La Quinta, Calif. - eagerly looking forward to the AMICA convention
in Los Angeles