Large Scale Central

Vinyl transfers for my passenger cars.

Modeling
#1

I decided to finally bite the bullet and have some vinyl transfers made for my passenger cars. Due to a low budget for this project I had to find a cheaper source for my transfers. I came across doityourselflettering.com while browsing the web. They can create basic vinyl transfers. I figured I nothing to lose and gave them a try. I received the transfers in 2-3 days. To save some money I bought raw vinyl transfers and did the weeding and taping myself. Most of the transfers were under $1.00 each.

This is the basic transfer as received.

Transfers being weeded.

Transfers after weeding.

Applying tape to tranfsers.

Transfer peeled from backer.

Applying transfer to passenger car.


A look at the finished car.

I think it turned out rather nice. Besides I run by the 10 foot rule. :slight_smile:
5 more cars to go.

Dennis

#2

Looking good DT.

#3

Looks good Dennis!
Question, I was checking out the site quickly trying to get a idea on cost.
When it priced up a 10.95/ea.

Was that for each line you want printed, or for a full page?
(was looking to have some West Shore Railway lettering done)

I was looking at the ready to use option.

#4

*?

You did chk out your regional jobbers ?

There are a couple like Cedarleaf, and/or Shawmut Car shops, that I believe do custom vinyl (in addition to what i call ‘slipperies’).

doug c

#5

Vincent D’Agostino said:

Looks good Dennis!
Question, I was checking out the site quickly trying to get a idea on cost.
When it priced up a 10.95/ea.

Was that for each line you want printed, or for a full page?
(was looking to have some West Shore Railway lettering done)

I was looking at the ready to use option.

Vincent,
The price was per transfer. If I ordered them finished and ready to apply they were almost $20.00 each. That is why I weeded and taped them myself. If you go this route, make sure you buy extras because you may ruin a few while weeding/taping.

Dennis

#6

Got it, thanks!

#7

This is another source for vinyl lettering.

http://www.gscalegraphics.net/custom-lettering.html

I like the owner, he has been fair with me. That’s my only connection.

John

#8

I looked at their site and went through the fonts and didn’t see Railroad Times Roman which I would need for the Colorado Railroads. What size font did you use to do your lettering. I have some Microscale decals, but they seem to be a little too tall for the letter board on the bachmann cars.

Dan

#9

Dan Stuettgen said:

I looked at their site and went through the fonts and didn’t see Railroad Times Roman which I would need for the Colorado Railroads. What size font did you use to do your lettering. I have some Microscale decals, but they seem to be a little too tall for the letter board on the bachmann cars.

Dan

Dan,
I didn’t see any Railroad fonts so I went with what looked best to me. The transfers used 5/16" tall letters. Any smaller and I would not want to weed them.
Dennis

#10

In addition to the overall outline usually also put a rectangular around each character … you did very very well weeding it, as one complete scrap strip !

The supplier cuts down on their setup costs, providing as one strip.

#11

Nicely done Dennis. That really sets the cars off. Always good to know of new dealers.

Was there a higher price for the gold as opposed to non-metallic colors?

#12

Very nice. I was surprised you were able to put tape across the face of the letters and get them to release onto the car. I use tape that way to take off mistakes!

#13

Good Job!

As someone that does this nearly every day for my living I think you you were very lucky to have it come out clean and straight by removing all of the backer at once.

If that method was easy for you, by all means don’t stop doing what works. If you found it difficult; try aligning the transfer with the backer in place by using one or two pieces of masking tape. One in the center and a second on one end if needed. Then peel the backer from one end to just before the tape and cut it off. Work the transfer down from the center toward the end. Once that is down remove the tape and the rest of the backer and work from the center to the other end.

What are you using for transfer tape? It looks like regular ‘Scotch’ tape. Did you have any problem getting it to release the vinyl when you removed the tape?

EDIT to add a P.S.

If you thought weeding those bold letters was a challenge, you ought to try this…

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/WoodBoxcar/Up-Scale_84.JPG)

#14

NICE

That lettering will really make your cutom cars stand tall.

#15

Daktah John said:

Good Job!

As someone that does this nearly every day for my living I think you you were very lucky to have it come out clean and straight by removing all of the backer at once.

If that method was easy for you, by all means don’t stop doing what works. If you found it difficult; try aligning the transfer with the backer in place by using one or two pieces of masking tape. One in the center and a second on one end if needed. Then peel the backer from one end to just before the tape and cut it off. Work the transfer down from the center toward the end. Once that is down remove the tape and the rest of the backer and work from the center to the other end.

What are you using for transfer tape? It looks like regular ‘Scotch’ tape. Did you have any problem getting it to release the vinyl when you removed the tape?

EDIT to add a P.S.

If you thought weeding those bold letters was a challenge, you ought to try this…

(http://lsc.cvsry.com/WoodBoxcar/Up-Scale_84.JPG)

Jon,
I used regular old scotch tape and did have a little problem with release on the uneven siding. The smooth area at the top of the car was no problem at all. I tried to find a better transfer tape locally but had no luck.

Dennis

#16

Very nice, will be looking into your method as well for my cars.

I was wondering if a drafting style tape is out there; if I remember correctly - less tacky.

#17

I have a STIKA Vinyl machine and use the correct low tack backing that can be obtained for vinyl transferring to the article being worked on. It is unfortunately usually only available in a 50 ft roll…
.Need some vinyl jobs to use that amount!!! However, I use it for masking model paint jobs as well. Its a bit thicker than FISK masking.

Nice job Dennis…and the weeding for a first time…wish I had been (and still wish) I could be so lucky.

#18

The tape is called Application Tape in the signage industry. It comes in rolls anywhere from 1" wide to 50" wide. A 1" roll shouldn’t be too expensive. You might stop at a local sign shop and see if they will sell you a roll. It’s made by several companies. I think 3M calls theirs “Pre-Mask”. We buy a brand called Main Tape.

#19

What I used to do, because I am cheep, is to stick the scotch tape onto glass, then peal it up and use it to mask, or hold my dry transfers. By sticking it onto glass first, its a bit less tacky.

#20

Very nice!