Easy and Cheap

[ttrigg]

Here is a tip about signage and markings. For billboards, station name signs, advertising on the side of buildings and stained glass windows and such, I use "Vue Graf" sheets and a color laser printer. The primary drawback is not printed in white. Design the sign in whatever graphics package you’ve got in the computer. I print it in reverse image on the "Vue Graf" slide, remember that large "overhead projector" the teachers used in the 50’s & 60’s. They are still available at Staples. For hanging signs, I cut two pieces of Plexiglas the size of my finished sign. One piece is painted with white spray paint, just before it completely dries I put the printed sign printed side down into the sticky paint. An alternative would be to use Elmer's spray adhesive; it will not cause the colors to run. I’ve been doing this far a couple of years now and have not had any problems with fading yet.

I know, someone is going to say, "that’s an expensive printer", check around at your favorite office supply store when they put things on clearance. I was able to find an HP LaserJet 1600 for $95, OK, so it was the display model scratched up, but it works just fine and they gave me a full set of cartridges to offset the used cartridges in the machine. Look for a bargain.

Here a couple of pics of a few of the stained glass windows. Sorry but at the moment I don’t have a good pic of signs on buildings. It takes a bit of effort to hide the sides of the sign when putting it on an engine or car. Then put a bit of dull coat to kill the shine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Anonymous]

Oooooooooppppss not dry as Kev said, just noticed that!

Here is the link, Call him and tell him what your doing or ask for a example sheet you can play with.

http://gold.mylargescale.com/StanCedarleaf/WebPageDecals/CustomDecalsx.html

Yes, I support Stan!

Toad

[kstrong]

Quick correction - Stan does decals, not dry transfers. Decals need to be soaked briefly in water to be applied, and prefer a glossy (or at least satin) surface. Dry transfers are simply rubbed in place on the model, and don't care about what they're being put over.

If you'd like to make your own dry transfers, there's an outfit that makes a "do-it-yourself" dry transfer kit that uses a laser printer. Vance Bass reviewed it for GR a few years back: http://www.trains.com/grw/default.aspx?c=a&id=269

Finding someone to make commercial dry transfers in the US is increasingly difficult and very expensive (on the order of $75/sheet!), so this system is definitely worth looking at if you want to go the dry transfer route instead of decals. I've not used it myself, so I can't personally vouch for it.

An alternative to both systems would be vinyl lettering, offered by both G-Scale Graphics and Shawmut Car Shops. I think both advertise in GR. Like dry transfers, you just stick them on where you need them. I've used both companies' products, and can recommend them. Shawmut Car Shops also does custom painting, if you're reluctant to take paint to your model yourself.

Later,

K

[dwbeckett]

OK What have you done that was Easy & Cheap that shoud or would help the rest of us

Old dog needs a new trick

Dave

[Anonymous]

GearDrivenSteam

I got one of those dark green in D&RGW I wouldda traded you straight up for. That thing is cool in red.

GDS,

You can get a small compressor and air brush or get a can of sandable grey primer and get your red paint can to. Would say both get at automotive store and if you don't see a red you like then check out home depot or other hardware store.

What the grey does is hide the deep green and you will be able to tell where you missed a spot.

After that paint red.

Then contact Stan http://gold.mylargescale.com/StanCedarleaf/WebPageDecals/CustomDecalsx.html

He does Alps printing which is dry transfers. He did mine and there great!

NOTE: I do not have a dang thing to get off of Stan and his business but I am a happy customer!

[dwbeckett]

g. gage

Dave, looks good, I take it the Delton is molded in that red color.

Have fun, Rob

I realy don't know,  I will take a look after the sun come's up. I need to fix the light's any way.

No it's not. just a good paint job.

Dave 

[g. gage]

Dave, looks good, I take it the Delton is molded in that red color.

Have fun, Rob

[GearDrivenSteam]

Mine is the same way. It was NOS in the box when I found it. I like them things. Wish mine was red, though.

[dwbeckett]

This one only has about 2 hours ( for Me ) of run time on it, I picked it up on the Queen in 94 durring a show. It need's a lot of extra work done like adding detail's, fixing lights that kind of stuff. It run's on My ridge line with a Aristo auto-reverse setup and for now a toy power power pack.

Ridge Line being built

 

Dave

[GearDrivenSteam]

I got one of those dark green in D&RGW I wouldda traded you straight up for. That thing is cool in red.

[dwbeckett]

My Delton was Lettered for Santa Fe I realy didn"t like it and only used it around the Christmas Tree pulling an unlettered pullman green coach,

Picture # 1

I removed the lettering with Denatured alcohol, I started out with coton swab's then went to a old tooth brush, and when the lettering was removed I wiped it down with dampened paper towel to remove the leftover haze.

Picture # 2

Both side's took about half an hour total.

I plan lettering with dry transfers, once the DNRR has a realalistic RR sounding name. It will be numbered M1 and  be lettered Fire crew car