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Decals aren't going to cut it. I am looking for a weathered look, like they were painted 40 years ago. I can mask them off. I've been down that road. I was just looking for the quick route. I have a vinyl machine, so making paint masks is really simple and precise. Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I appreciate it.
I looked into this for my 81 Flare Side gate and as Abe pointed out it came back to "rolled on with hard roller".
At first I looked for mask letters and was going to spray paint the letters first then use the mask and paint the truck.
Not finding mask I thought of spraying the letters and then tape them off and paint the color of the truck.
This I thought was to much work and you still had a hard tape line for the edges that I did not want, was not clearing the truck single stage paint.
So it was back to the hard roller till I painted the truck and got thinking if I messed up painting the letters I would have to redo the whole tail gate
So I took the easy way out and went decal but ............
I went reflective as I use the truck in the dark to / from work a lot and the 2 little tail lights just did not cut it for me.
I was also looking for the Ford scrip lettering to use on a plain tail gate before I came into this one but all I could find were ones in the oval.
Keep us posted on your lettering project
Dave ----
SHMO -
I did mine by hand with an artist brush, I used some oil base rustoleum that I thinned so it flowed out better, After it dried a few days I went over it by hand with some rubbing compound to smooth in the edges, It does have some brush marks but I figure as it ages it will look the part. If I was doing your's I think I would use some rustoleum ultra cover, it is water base, that would allow you to rub back and weather the letters without fear of disturbing the finish on the tailgate. Thats the process I used on the Vespa lettering and it too was spray paint for the base color and so far its held up very well.
FYI the paint used for hand lettering is called 1 Shot, comes in many colors.
Eastwood has it but I am sure you can find it other places too.
I think that's what was used by guys using the hard roller and what I was thinking of using till I went decal.
Dave ----
Decals aren't going to cut it. I am looking for a weathered look, like they were painted 40 years ago. I can mask them off. I've been down that road. I was just looking for the quick route. I have a vinyl machine, so making paint masks is really simple and precise. Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I appreciate it.
Here is a quickie idea of what I am shooting for.
Check out Rustic or Distressed letter on painting youtube.
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