'Painted On' sign technique

[Anonymous]

I recently heard about a technique used to create signs and lettering for buildings and structures. I believe George Sellios uses this technique which consists of creating the 'sign' on a computer and then using the 'painted on' technique. Can anyone tell me how this 'painted on' technique works?

Thanks..

[Anonymous]

Chris,

Early on at Trains.com we republished a Michael Tylick story that describes Sellios' technique. You can find the story, "Fading signs of the times," in the Model Railroader section of Trains.com, under Modeling/construction projects, or you can copy and paste the url address below:

http://www.trains.com/content/dynamic/articles/000/000/000/121xjkrv.asp

The article includes addresses on manufacturers of scale vintage signs, and links to an interview with George Sellios about his Franklin & South Manchester RR. I hope this helps.

Tom Chmielewski
Editor, Trains.com

[dknelson]

It may or may not be the method used in this article or maybe one from Art Curren but I saw a clinic where extremely fine sandpaper was used on a paper sign to make it as thin as possible (don't tear it) and then it was soaked in a white glue and water mix that make it snuggle into the brickwork of a plastic building, with some help. It was pretty convincing. The secret to thinning the sign was to leave the paper larger than the sign itself, thin it, and then cut it to size.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

There was a MRR article showing signs on a brick building ih HO scale where they had been sanded tissue paper thin, looked decent, it was 95 or later. Said it took a few tries to get it right with the sanding, working from the inside out, then trimming. softening the back. Worthwhile effect for a few buildings. Rubensteins beer and Ale Distributors or such. Cityscape or the side or roof of a barn...