11 replies to this topic

[MiniMonty]

Hi all,

yes I know it's not strictly legal but that's not what my question is about...

My bonnet rusted through and I've got a new one. Sprayed it up nice shiny black and
it's nearly ready to go on. But I need the number plate painted on (as per my avatar).

When I did that one I made a stencil from a sticker that I got from craigsplates and it
looks good from a distance but close inspection shows spillage, overspray and general imperfections.
I've got the original scan from the sticker as a photoshop file that I can print onto
paper or card - anyone got any top tips for making a good job of it ?

Can't decide whether to paint a white square then try to make a stencil for the black or to make
"cut out" numbers/letters that will mask the white and leave black showing through.

Best wishes
Monty

[Burnard]

I would do the second option

Can't decide whether to paint a white square then try to make a stencil for the black or to make
"cut out" numbers/letters that will mask the white and leave black showing through.

Just make sure you use a good quality sticking stencil, and use your nail or a credit card to make sure it is firmly stuck arround all the edges, this should stop any paint bleed, or atleast keep it to a minimum.

I have used a similar method painting RC shells and i did eventually get the art of stopping the paint from bleeding, but it does take a while to make sure there are no gaps under the mask where the paint could seep through.



Chris

[Doodling]

I'd use the second method but try and print it out on thin overhead projector paper or similar and use a low tack spray adhesive to apply them.
I've always been told to stop the paint bleeding is to only spray the first coats very thinly, more of a mist coat. Hope that helps.
Otherwise you could try a local graphic design company that do van signs and get one made up.

[MiniMonty]

i did eventually get the art of stopping the paint from bleeding

Cool - so what are the tips and tricks ?

And when you say "Just make sure you use a good quality sticking stencil" what would you suggest ?
Last time I used (don't laugh) a fairly heavy paper that my printer would take and prit stick to hold
it on.

[mighty mini jack]

Could you not get a stencil cut by a company of a few guys on here (roofless/racing green etc)...?

Nice clean crisp edges and it would be 100x easier rather than cutting it out yourself.

[roofless]

id go cut vinyl - either as the way to do it outright , or as the mask to paint it. Either way if you want one done I have the font for UK plates and can do one for you for you

cheers

martin.

[Burnard]

i did eventually get the art of stopping the paint from bleeding

Cool - so what are the tips and tricks ?

And when you say "Just make sure you use a good quality sticking stencil" what would you suggest ?
Last time I used (don't laugh) a fairly heavy paper that my printer would take and prit stick to hold
it on.

Useing a credit card, a stanly blade, or number 20 or 13 scalple blades, or the back of your nail arround the edges to make sure it is completly sealed with no little air bubbles or gaps the paint could seep under the mask through.


I use this sticky back paper my dad borrows from work, its a high tac and it is an absolute *woman of ill repute* to get off afterwards, but thats a price im willing to pay for a good finish. White spirit is the best thing to get it off, but you must make sure the paint has fully cured before you try and remove it.

Never tried it but useing PVA glue would seem like a better idea for sticking normal paper on as its less likly to leave gaps arround the edges, id stick it on, let it dry, then just go round the edges with a knife and make sure there is no PVA seeping out the edges of the mask which could cause you the opposite problem.

Most of the profesional shell painters use this stuff which is a liquid mask that you paint on, mark up and then cut and peel off in stages. so you could paint this on the area you wanted to paint, let it dry, print your mask of on normal paper and use it as a stencil to mark up and cut out the area you wanted to paint. I will say i have never used this and do not have any idea wether it works with cellulose paints, or if it will bleed, but it could be an option if it does what you want it to do.



Chris

[jack_marshall]

Just use a stick on vinyl plate then grey scotchbrite your bonnet and laquer over it all.

Beware though, sometimes the the solvent in the laquer can lift the vinyl after time.

[MiniMonty]

id go cut vinyl - either as the way to do it outright , or as the mask to paint it. Either way if you want one done I have the font for UK plates and can do one for you for you

cheers

martin.

Hi Martin,

when you say "cut vinyl" do you mean you can cut me a vinyl stencil ?
Can your machine(s) produce either a 'positive' i.e a set of numbers and letters (with holes and inserts) I can paint "around",
and / or a "negative" i.e. a stencil with the holes cut through it with the requisite mask inserts for the "8" and "B" etc., ?

It's late and I'm not exactly sober so if I haven't explained it well have a look at my avatar.
Can you produce something that will enable me to beautifully (cleanly) spray paint that number plate either in a square (as per the pic) or in a straight line
(as per the older bonnet plates) ?

If either or both are true I'd be well interested and straight on the phone to you with the old credit card number. (or fivers in a brown envelope).

Let me know

Best wishes
Monty

Edited by MiniMonty, 09 August 2009 - 12:32 AM.

[dazzul]

No Monty i think some heavy photo paper and pritt stick would do, or maybe nail glue,

ok more serious, how many coats did you do in the end ?
i belive theres a tent waiting to be put up too?

[elgarra]

For number plates i use vinyl for the background (Approx £5 per square metre) and either cut my own numbers or get a sign maker to cut them for me.

You could contact a graphics company who'll happily print one for you, especially if you supply them with a card template of the dimensions you need.

[roofless]

when you say "cut vinyl" do you mean you can cut me a vinyl stencil ?

yes - i can create a stencil

Can your machine(s) produce either a 'positive' i.e a set of numbers and letters (with holes and inserts) I can paint "around",
and / or a "negative" i.e. a stencil with the holes cut through it with the requisite mask inserts for the "8" and "B" etc., ?

yes, yes and yes.

It's late and I'm not exactly sober so if I haven't explained it well have a look at my avatar.
Can you produce something that will enable me to beautifully (cleanly) spray paint that number plate either in a square (as per the pic) or in a straight line
(as per the older bonnet plates) ?

yes.
there is a specific grade of vinyl i can use that is for creating stencils for paint application.

the tricky bit is going to be laying it up and checking whther the square 'boxes' are actually squares, and not compound curved in some way.