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road stripes

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  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia, Northumberland Shore
  • 2,479 posts
Posted by der5997 on Saturday, November 1, 2003 9:26 PM
Here's how I did my HO road lines.
1) paint masking tape lengths, laid gently sticky side down on glass, the appropriate yellow ( or white, but I didn't have any need to model the white)
2)when really dry, cut into scale 4" strips with new #11 exacto blade. A steel rule helps.
3) cut a suitable length of road stripe. I used about 4-5 inches at a time
4) lift an end with the tip of the blade, and transfer to the road. Try to not let the tape tangle up on itself, that's a definite downer.[:(]
5) lay and cut as required, burnish onto road for good contact and seal

6) remember, you are working to get an effect your eye, and those of your visitors will instantly recognise as a road with stripes. You don't have to have everything "true scale". The veiwing brain will put more detail there than you have to, if the effect is convincing[:D] The thickness of the tape will not even be noticed!

7) enjoy.

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Friday, October 31, 2003 7:40 PM
The California Dept of Transportation has signing and striping sandards on line.
at
www.dot.ca.gov for striping details type "Traffic Manual" in the search box on the upper right for sign charts search for "Sign Charts"

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 31, 2003 5:03 PM
Try your local art supply store. Most of them carry "rub on" lettering and lines in many sizes. Color, well that may be a problem.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Friday, October 31, 2003 3:55 PM
Good point, Ron

Lettering on pavement (ie' "STOP" ) is tall and narrow so it looks normal and is readable from a low angle.

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: El Dorado Springs, MO
  • 1,519 posts
Posted by n2mopac on Thursday, October 30, 2003 9:31 AM
For a good look be sure to get the dimensions right on those broken lines. They should be 4" wide and 10' long. I know that always sounds long, but measure one some time. If you make them too short they will look toy-like.
Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 38 posts
Posted by raysaron on Thursday, October 30, 2003 4:38 AM
I use an "erasing shield" (thin metal sheet with straight and curved slots--used to erase small areas on pencil and paper engineering drawings) and yellow grease pencil (crayon center with peel-off outer wrap to expose the crayon as it is used). Lay the shield on the road with the appropriate slot with lined up with the centerline and color away.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 7:26 PM
I've had success with Pactra trim tape. It comes in various colors and widths. It is self-adhesive. You get 72" of it in 8 widths.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 8:50 AM
A way I found on smooth roads is the new white out tape. Only works on smooth roads so try it first. It's also easy to weather. FRED
  • Member since
    October 2012
  • 527 posts
Posted by eastcoast on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 1:39 AM
My road stripes are usually yellow for two way roads and white for same direction.
I have found that using a steel ruler along with paint pens work best and keep those stripes pretty straight. I found these pens in many tip sizes at a craft store.
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 10:01 PM
I havn't done this myself, but the most successful road stripes I've seen have been spray painted using metal templates or more tediously masked with tape and spray painted. Presently the US standard for striping is yellow broken lane lines dividing traffic traveling in oposite. white broken for traffic traveling in the same direction, solid yellow barrier line (no pasing), solid white edge line. Most lines are 4 inches wide.

Prior to the early sixties the standard in many states was white lane lines and barrier stripes (although I remember seeing some yellow barrier stripes), and no edge lines.

I've seen a picture of the first Highway in California to have lane lines (1930's) There were 6 or possibly 8 lanes. All the lines were soid white. It looked very confusing to me.






I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
road stripes
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 28, 2003 8:53 PM
I have just finished modelling some roads for my HO layout,and not having much luck in decalling with stripes. I have read that Scale Scenics do manufacter these, I can not get them anywhere.Any one with information on the subject appriciated as I live in Australia and model American your line markings are adifferent colour
THANX HEAPS
ADAM

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