I'm building this Design Prervation Models kit, and I want to have window signs like they have in the picture here. How can I achieve this effect? Would I apply a decal somehow to the acetate? Are there vendors that supply common decals like "Diner" or "Restaurant" or building numbers that I could get these from?Thanks in advance!
I am just thinking out loud here which is always dangerous, but here goes. I would think a decal would work on the acetate, however, I wonder if you bought a printer-sized sheet and ran it through the printer then cut the window out, if that would work?
You could maybe use a microscope slide cover, that would likely take a decal being glass.
I met a guy that ran saran wrap through a printer to make printed awnings and lumber load coverings with the forest product name(s) on it.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I have used dry tranfers in the past with good results and Woodland Scenics makes those as well. Here's just one sample.
Woodland - Dry Transfer Signs - Set #1 - Assorted Advertising & Railroad - 785-245 (walthers.com)
I used the Emerald Cafe sign on Carol's Corner Cafe, the opposite corner structure from your kit and I really liked the way it turned out.
For a layout church, I bought some inkjet clear decal paper. I printed the design onto the decal paper, sprayed it with Dullcote, transferred the decal to the clear plastic windows, and it worked pretty well.
Good luck with your project. Let us know how it turns out.
York1 John
I have done a lot of those. I found that printing my own decals on my inkjet printer works pretty well. The decals work just fine on the acetate windows.
Remember, though, that you can't print white, and light colors don't work well if the background is not opaque. I stick with black lettering for windows.
I mount the decals inside the windows, with the lettering against the glass. Being inside the structure, they're protected.
Here is a simple storefront. The windows are decals. I put paper curtains behind them:
The House of Haggis is another local business. There are also some second-story businesses upstairs.
I like this one. it's a simple rectangular building from DPM modular parts. I printed the interior walls and floors on the computer, and installed a few figures and a minature pool table. I put the letters on the windows with decals.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have a bunch of the window signs offered by City Classics:
https://www.cityclassics.biz/window_signs.html
They may work for you.
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/brands/City-Classics.html
Good Luck, Ed
These look great. How did you get the brick mortar effect on the DPM panels? (Type ad color of paint, order in in which they were applied, matte sealant?, mortar paint, etc?) I'm trying to get the mortar effect on DPM panels but not getting these results. Thanks!
ChrisVA These look great. How did you get the brick mortar effect on the DPM panels? (Type ad color of paint, order in in which they were applied, matte sealant?, mortar paint, etc?) I'm trying to get the mortar effect on DPM panels but not getting these results. Thanks!
I use drywall compound, slightly thinned with water. Put it on the brick face, let it dry and then wipe off the excess.