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Post by ecbill on Dec 31, 2023 11:35:23 GMT -7
Let’s use this thread to share tips and tools for use with paint masks/stencils to customize your projects. It’s intended to be a place for all of us to share ideas and tips. If you have questions or run into problems be sure to ask. Hopefully somebody here will be able to offer some good solutions. Tools that will help to get good results  IMG_3772 by Bill Le, on Flickr Stylus, embossing tool, dotting tool.These are great for rubbing down the stencil so that it conforms to the shape of the body. The smallest one are good for pressing the stencil into door and hood gaps. The larger ones do well at getting edges to lay down over rounded contours. They can be found in art supply stores, hobby shops and on line. The one on the left was from the Dollar Tree. Clear one in the middle was part of a set bought off eBay, listed as a dotting tool used in nail salons. Wood handled one came from an art supply store. Their card is on far right. in a pinch a ball point pen can do the job. Suggest one like e BIC pen, with the ink cartridge removed. Don’t want to accidentally get ink on your paint job. Also good for separating the mask from the backing. ScissorsA sharp pair of small scissor are essential. The blades tend to get gummed up after a while. Clean with alcohol. Cuticle scissors are good for cutting curved shapes. TweezersSharp tip tweezers are indispensable for installing and removing the masks. |
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Post by ecbill on Dec 31, 2023 11:47:43 GMT -7
Since you’ll most likely be applying your stencils over a coat of paint, surface prep is essential. It’s a major bummer when you remove the stencil and the base paint pulls up.
Will share what works for me:
Wash with Dawn dish soap and tooth brush.
Scrub with Comet.
Wet sand with 600 grit.
Wash again with Dawn
Just prior to painting, wipe with paint prep to remove any oils from you fingers.
Dust off with air to blow off any lint.
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Post by ecbill on Dec 31, 2023 11:49:31 GMT -7
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Post by ecbill on Dec 31, 2023 11:53:43 GMT -7
To remove the mask, get up under an edge with the tip of an exacto blade then lift out with tweezers. When removing the inner section (in this case the flame), starting at the base seems to be easiest.  IMG_3761 by Bill Le, on Flickr  IMG_3762 by Bill Le, on Flickr Sometimes you will need a to hold down parts of the surrounding material while removing. Ready to apply.  IMG_3763 by Bill Le, on Flickr |
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Post by ecbill on Dec 31, 2023 12:02:09 GMT -7
Apply to the body. Position centered and straightened. These tend to be static prone and will be attracted to the plastic. Try propping up the loose end with a thumb or finger nail.  IMG_3764 by Bill Le, on Flickr Rub down with the embossing tool. Press mask into all contours and crevices. You can also rub down with the slick side of the backing paper. In this case the flame will be silver. The rest of the car will be the top coat color. |
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Post by ecbill on Dec 31, 2023 13:42:46 GMT -7
Fill in any gaps with masking tape. Frog tape’s green painters tape works well. The side flame masks are silver, so they don’t stand out well on the silver paint. Ready to wipe down and paint. Best to paint fairly soon after application. If it sits too long, the edges may start to lift around sharp contours.  IMG_3765 by Bill Le, on Flickr |
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Post by ecbill on Dec 31, 2023 13:48:05 GMT -7
Apply paint in light coats. Hold airbrush or paint can as perpendicular as possible over the masks. You don’t want to lift an edge and spray up under it. Use as little paint as necessary. Vinyl material could have water or solvent based adhesive. Paints can react with those adhesives, causing the mask to lift.  IMG_3766 by Bill Le, on Flickr Let the body sit for a while to give the paint time to cure. For thinly applied airbrush paint, 45 minutes to an hour is usually sufficient. If using a specific spray can or other heavy applications allow more time. |
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Post by ecbill on Dec 31, 2023 13:59:44 GMT -7
Those sharp pointed tweezers come in real handy for removing the masks. If you leave a little bit of the stencil hanging over an edge, it will be much easier to remove. Otherwise, just carefully get the tip of you exacto knife under an edge of the mask. Lift just enough to grab with your tweezers. Grab the top layer with your tweezers and carefully pull it off. Likewise with each successive layer.  IMG_3767 by Bill Le, on Flickr |
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Post by crazynski on Dec 31, 2023 17:13:50 GMT -7
Thanks a million, El Camino Bill!
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Post by ecbill on Dec 31, 2023 17:30:16 GMT -7
Thanks a million, El Camino Bill! You are welcome! |
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Post by hairycanary on Dec 31, 2023 21:54:49 GMT -7
Bill Thank You for the How To on stencils. Very informative and helpful. Maybe your how to will help get my butt in gear to finish a couple bodies I started with your stencils. I did get some of those embossing tools in different sizes awhile back from a earlier post you posted. I haven't got to try them out on your stencils yet but have used them on painting small hard to get places like the butterflies on injectors. Just a dab of paint on the tip works wonders.
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Post by skillet on Jan 2, 2024 22:21:40 GMT -7
This is very cool Bill... I'll get some pictures on my next paint job to add in here
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Post by ecbill on Mar 28, 2024 19:32:03 GMT -7
 IMG_4079 by Bill Le, on Flickr Top Fuel dragster painted with Createx Cosmic Copper, top coated with ready mix lacquered clear that Jeff and Rick recommended. Clear was infused with bronzonator pearl powder. Clear was applied using an old fashioned single stage Badger airbrush, that’s just a small step up from a spray can. Clean up is super simple. Unscrew the paint jar, cap it, screw on a jar with a little lacquer thinner. Shake it up, spray a few times to clear the feed tube and nozzle and wipe everything down.  IMG_4081 by Bill Le, on Flickr |
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