I have a lot of experience with using stencils to make markings. I have tried over the years varous methods including:
Water masking
taping
die-cut masks
I have a favorite way that is quick and easy and gives decent results.
Steps
1. buy stencils from the hobby store
2. layout stencils to the marking you need and tape them together
3. lay them on postal wrapping paper and trace numbers with a pensil
4. cut out the letters with an exacto knife
5. spray back of postal mask with artist spray adhesive. not spray adhesive, artist spray adhesive. it tacks but is removable, and doesn't leave a residue.
6. stick it on the vehicle and spray with flat paint. Flat paint is important, satin can work. Flat paint dries quick and tends not to bleed. If you need gloss, shoot flat and then shoot clear gloss over the top later on.
7. remove the masks after the paint is dry. If there is over spray, wipe it off with fine steel wool within the hour before it starts to harden.
The above gives authentic looking results- very good but not perfect. if you are a perfectist, might want to figure something else out.
For stars, use masking tape, dont stencil.
The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to dougimes For This Useful Post:
In Iraq we ran out of paper rolls (no kidding!) and so we used manila envelopes and file folders. Then we ran out of those. For flat areas we ended up just having to tape the metal stencils on and then put them in the solvent tank (plenty of that stuff) when we were done. Thanks for the post!
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Ammo Det, al-Anbar, Iraq 2007-2008
"We Supply Death"
Do or Die
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I made my own stencils from the font i found on SS and my laser printer. Printed on plain paper and then cut out with execto knife. Cut the completed stencil within 3/4" of openings in letters. i taped the stencil to the hood using painter's blue tape. I added more paper on top of the tape to extend the covered area to protect from overspray. I used flat white paint and let it dry. Pealed the stencil off and tossed it! Looks great!
The above gives authentic looking results- very good but not perfect. if you are a perfectist, might want to figure something else out.
"Very good " is what they would have done in the Motorpool, which makes it look even more original. Unless you're showing for points, I think your way is very acceptable.
__________________
Jonathan (The Anti-Bobber)
Secretary/Newsletter Editor, M.V.C.C. Denver, Colorado www.mvcconline.org
M.V.P.A. #32113
U.S. ARMY 01/74-12/79
Proud Member of the Patriot Guard Riders
A Veteran - Whether Active Duty, Retired, National Guard or Reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life". That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand that."
I've laid out my letters or letters on blue masking tape and cut them out with an exacto knife. For large letters (3") I just lay a couple of widths of tape together with an overlap. If you do it horizontal you can do the whole line with care. I have a large sheet of white cutting board material for cutting and the blue tape does not stick to it. Transfer the blue tape "stencil" into place, make sure the edges of each letter are plessed down and spray with semi-gloss or flat. When dry, remove.
Also works very well for non standard outlines, symbols. Unit crests and such can be done in several layers.
I have also used thin gasket material and penciled the outline onto my surface and feehanded the art onto the surface. Here is my personal logo and unit crest I did for my Ferret Armoured Car using gasket material. Bob
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M35A2. 1970 American General
MEP-015A. 120/240v Genset
MEP-025A. 28v DC Genset
Ex-British Army 1968~1974 Royal Signals Op
Ex-US Army 1975~ 1980 UH-1 pilot
Bren guns, Sten guns and Uzi's Oh boy!
Just a heads up to everyone. When applying the "National Symbol" (star) on horizontal surfaces , the star will be applied with one point directly toward the front of the vehicle or equipment. On vertical surfaces the star will have one point directly up. That is from the TB 746-93-1 marking manual.
how to stencil markings
