You'll probably still have fading problems -- that's a function of the dyes in the inks being susceptible to fading in sunlight.

I started working with vinyl in the early 70's. I strongly believe many don't realize that peel & stick vinyl has been around this long?

3M made the vinyl product. It came in sheets and was only available in primary colors. Sign painters, like myself, would use this material for background shapes and would generally brush letter over it. Saved us a bunch of time and allowed for creative looks without having to paint backgrounds, which meant two trips to the job.

There's more vinyl products available today than I like to think about. Thinking is something I don't like to do and try not to do.    I actually try to run my sign and graphics business as simple as possible, same with my sideline, CFC Graphics.

Most of what I use for model graphics is 6 year vinyl and it's opaque. If you viewed the edge, the color is all the way through. Can fade but you can bring the color back with compound or wax. Generally 2.75 mil to 3 mil in thickness.

Some advanced modelers, who do scale, sometimes ask for the 8 year cast HP vinyl. 2 mil. This stuff can be burnished around rip stitching with a tad of heat and looks painted. Some modelers clear vinyl after it's applied.

I cannot afford the equipment, but I have wholesale sources for my full color printing and vehicle wraps. I just produce the art and send it out. This vinyl material is specially designed to except ink. Another clear material us placed on top of it to slow down UV fading and to protect the inked surface. This creates a finished product material that's 5 mil in thickness!

As far as printing at home? I see no reason why a modeler cannot produce his own printed graphics. I entertain and like to see others attempt or do their own stuff. Materials are available.

Protection from UV? Frog Juice, which I have mentioned before in this Forum, will slow down UV issues. Comes in aerosol cans and has been around for a long time.

My suggestion would be to walk into any sign shop and ask for a bit of the UV clear protective material used by professionals. The guy will probably give it to you for free, and quickly, just to get rid of you. Just kidding. 

You can place this material over whatever you print and this will be better than no protection at all.

Here's the thing. Not all art needs the same material application. An example would be full color art and solid color lettering. The full color art needs UV protection and the solid color lettering does not.

Now, multi colored graphics. If the individual colors are solid, they wouldn't require printing to produce and they wouldn't need UV protection. This is why I specialize in multi-colored opaque graphics.

Here's a link that shows what can be done using opaque multi-colored graphics. Which, BTW, can be cut at home!

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

I've said this many times, any sign shop will give you plenty of scrap material. Simply walk in and ask to purchase scraps. You would be surprised what they toss.

Charles
 

   

John,

I've been to the UK and ran a Morgan +4 for over 30 years. I've owned many British sports cars, and restored plenty of British cars for customers over my working years. I've also had Range Rovers for over 20 years.

Now sadly, I'm not British, but does this count for something?

Oh, I almost forgot, I'm painting my Flite Streak in British 007 garb. Now that must count for something!

What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

When you say "brush letter over it." do you mean just paint letters directly onto the vinyl or is this a technique I am not familiar with?

As a "once was," as in the past sign painter, we refer to painting a letter/character with paint and brush as "brush lettering." And yes. Sign guys would brush letter directly on vinyl. One Shot lettering paint sticks to vinyl.

Didn't know your local sign shop guys were gurning champions? Don't think we don't have a few here.

You can PM me for help.

BTW. I fancy Jen engines.

Charles

John,

I don't know that car so I googled it.

It's got great lines, reminds me of an  MGB GT, but oversizsed. 

Let me know what you need in vinyl graphics and I'll send them to you.

Ever run a J'en engine for CL? I have some for R/C, I'm going to get venturi's for them.

Charles