Author Topic: Vinyl lettering (Read 1916 times)

johnt4051 · « **on:** December 12, 2018, 01:35:52 PM »

Is there anyone who does vinyl lettering nowadays -- for AMA numbers and such? I used to use Vinylwrite, but he is no longer in business.

Tom Vieira · « **Reply #1 on:** December 12, 2018, 01:38:09 PM »

I have a buddy that does great work:

https://stickershock23.com/

he's an avid R/C modeler as well, and I'm gently nudging him in to CL

he'll do anything you need. masks, letters, graphics, etc.

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #2 on:** December 12, 2018, 01:49:43 PM »

Check with Mike Haverly. He does masks for folks, he may be willing to run some lettering vinyl through his machine.

Tom Brightbill has a machine, too, but when it comes to computers the force is not strong within him. I'm not sure he's gotten it working.

At one point a long time ago someone suggested just going to your local sign shop and seeing if they want to mess with it. If you just want the lettering in a font they already have (as, opposed, say, to making a custom cut file that says "Sister Jenny" in a gothic font) then it should be pretty straightforward. I don't think you need a special vinyl -- just stuff that's designed to go on once and stick forever. What I have an Sister Jenny has been very durable, holding up to just about everything the world has thrown at it, except for this one loose motor and prop...

Trostle · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2018, 02:01:27 PM »

Check out

https://callie-graphics.com/

She does custom work. Reasonable prices. Amazing website. She does vinyl lettering and markings. Makes decals. Makes stencils.

Keith

Perry Rose · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2018, 02:09:54 PM »

In the vendors section you will find CFC Graphics.

James Holford · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2018, 02:14:52 PM »

Had a buddy in my town do my numbers for my Twister in chrome.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Dane Martin · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2018, 02:45:27 PM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on December 12, 2018, 01:49:43 PM

At one point a long time ago someone suggested just going to your local sign shop and seeing if they want to mess with it. If you just want the lettering in a font they already have (as, opposed, say, to making a custom cut file that says "Sister Jenny" in a gothic font) then it should be pretty straightforward. I don't think you need a special vinyl -- just stuff that's designed to go on once and stick forever. What I have an Sister Jenny has been very durable, holding up to just about everything the world has thrown at it, except for this one loose motor and prop...

The local sign shops are great. I drew up this nonsense and had a local shop print it. But be careful and ask for a quote first. Lol. I didn't know they had a set up fee. These graphics cost me a little over $60!

Alan Resinger · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2018, 04:29:57 PM »

Hey John,
Chris and I can make anything you neen.
Alan

peabody · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2018, 05:02:00 PM »

Charles, aka Aviaojet makes some really nice stuff....

CFC Graphics

Mike Haverly · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2018, 05:43:11 PM »

John, there are many here nearby. Me, Tom B., Chris C. and Alan R. Email what you want, no big deal.

John Rist · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2018, 03:47:52 AM »

https://doityourselflettering.com/ DIY Lettering has worked for me.

Robert Zambelli · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2018, 04:11:39 AM »

I've never used vinyl lettering but I was wondering-does it require a clear overcoat?

Avaiojet · « **Reply #12 on:** December 13, 2018, 06:05:30 AM »

Quote from: Robert Zambelli on December 13, 2018, 04:11:39 AM

I've never used vinyl lettering but I was wondering-does it require a clear overcoat?

Well OK, I'll reply by popular demand.

Some of my customers apply a clear coat and some do NOT.

All of my personal models have a clear coat. All I recommend is auto 2 part clear. Been suggesting this since I've been in the Forum. I do not recommend any other clear coat product but you're on your own.

I've been using vinyl in my sign, art and graphics business since 1973. Hard for me to believe. And yes, the quality has changed for the better. It's thinner and much more flexible depending on the brand and cost.

"No one does graphics like the Jet!"

Scale CL NATS winners have sported CFC Graphics.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/community/profile.cfm?section=gallery&memID=11343&pageon=1

kevin king · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2018, 07:57:14 AM »

Quote from: John Rist on December 13, 2018, 03:47:52 AM

https://doityourselflettering.com/ DIY Lettering has worked for me.

Thanks for posting this link. I am probably going to build a Terry Prather Winder soon. It took no time at all to make this custom font. It will be easy to capture a screenshot, print it out, then use photo Frisket film or clear dollar store shelf paper vinyl to place on top and cut out with an exacto knife and paint it on with dope.😁

Al Rabe · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2018, 01:28:49 PM »

Like Trostle

All of my airplanes are marked in color with graphics from Callie Graphics. https://callie-graphics.com/

Al Rabe

Alan Resinger · « **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2018, 01:53:46 PM »

Chris Cox and I bougnt a vinyl cutter about 6 years ago as the cost of getting all the paint masks we used was getting out of hand. A short learning curve but it has easily paid for itself.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2018, 06:32:25 AM »

Nothing wrong with favoring commercial business that don't participate in Forums.

Free choice is great!

So, you might want to try Bad Brad. X cop turned graphics guy.

http://www.badbradgraphics.com/

There's many others, I'll dig them up and get them Posted.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2018, 10:53:23 AM »

Don't want to leave anyone out, especially those that have commercial business.

This could be a good choice?

http://www.bandegraphix.com/

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2018, 07:58:34 PM »

When I needed to do a repair on my ex-Norm Whittle "Eagle", I tried to peel off the graphics in a small area. It was Monokote of some sort, applied to white epoxy paint, probably K&B Superpoxy, and sealed down with Monokote trim solvent. Could NOT get the stuff off, even using trim solvent, and it was NOT clear coated. My opinion is that Monokote isn't a bad option for graphics and numbers, especially when used with trim solvent. And you could clear coat over it if you insisted.

Steve

Avaiojet · « **Reply #19 on:** December 16, 2018, 07:22:01 AM »

Quote from: Steve Helmick on December 15, 2018, 07:58:34 PM

When I needed to do a repair on my ex-Norm Whittle "Eagle", I tried to peel off the graphics in a small area. It was Monokote of some sort, applied to white epoxy paint, probably K&B Superpoxy, and sealed down with Monokote trim solvent. Could NOT get the stuff off, even using trim solvent, and it was NOT clear coated. My opinion is that Monokote isn't a bad option for graphics and numbers, especially when used with trim solvent. And you could clear coat over it if you insisted. Steve

Someone in the Forum cuts his own lettering and graphics using Monokote. He does really good work. Can't remember who. A red and white Mig comes to mind.

So yes, that could work and probably work quite well.

However, and I've been saying this for years, just go to your local sign shops and ask them to save their vinyl scraps. They will be free.

The quality of vinyl material will probably be better and you can eliminate the trim solvent around the edges.

Also, just a tad of heat and vinyl can be removed easily to replace or change. 3M makes a product to remove adhesive quickly without damaging the surface.

As far as clear coat, they do look better under a nicely applied clear coat, my opinion.

I always cleared my models because it's easier to clean them. I've been using vinyl on my models since 1996.

The modelers who use my graphics, who compete in scale events. always clear the model and the graphics.

One last thing. Colored "trim sheets" are available at HS and Hobby Suppliers. They work but the adhesive used does not hold up over time. Unless they have been improved?

All these models sport my graphics or paint masks. Everything is custom made for the model, especially the Warbirds and scale models.

Take a look! There are some contest winners there!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/community/profile.cfm?section=gallery&memID=11343&pageon=1

Author Topic: Vinyl lettering (Read 1916 times)

Tom Vieira