28 replies to this topic

[Shruska55]

I've been using a sharp Xacto and Tamiya masking tape to make my window stencils on those bodies that don't come with masks. They are few and far between, but they do exist. Particularly in those eBay odd lots that come up no and again. I'm also getting braver as my airbrush skills improve with making other types of masking shapes for various places on the body.

 

I'm also a bit of a computer nerd, so when I bought my wife a Cricut vinyl cutter for Christmas, I naturally started to play. It's amazingly accurate and I've scanned many my homemade body masks into the software and have been amazed at the the output. The 'canvas' is a simplified CAD program. It has limits, but works very well for this purpose.

 

The issue I am having is finding a vinyl or sticker paper which will release easier than the stock I've experimented with thus far. Has anyone been using a vinyl cutter and found a decent masking product that doesn't require scraping and nearly pulling out the window when taking off the vinyl?

 

Thanks,

ScottH

[John Streisguth]

Well, with the existing stuff you can try putting it onto something else first to remove some of the "tack".  Like a piece of plate glass.  

[mreibman]

We discussed this not too long ago somewhere, whether it was here or facebook, I do not recall.

 

EDIT: Found the thread, http://slotblog.net/...rials/?p=795658

 

Oracal 631 removable vinyl is the stuff.

https://www.amazon.c...le?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

also comes in sheets.

 

I have a silhouette cameo, but so far, I'm still an absolute newbie with it... haven't been successful with a lot of my cutting projects as yet. Haven't done the masks for windows because I haven't really figured out how I'm measuring and then creating masks.

 

However, I have cut some paper into neat shapes like skulls and flames.

[Mike K]

Michael's Art and Craft stores have Oracal 631 in 12' x 12' sheets in assorted colors for about $2 per sheet.

Start there and then you can try thinner, more flexible vinyl once you get used to using the cutter. 

I have been using a Silhouette Cameo cutter for several years. Love the standard software....

[Shruska55]

We discussed this not too long ago somewhere, whether it was here or facebook, I do not recall.

 

EDIT: Found the thread, http://slotblog.net/...rials/?p=795658

 

Oracal 631 removable vinyl is the stuff.

https://www.amazon.c...le?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

also comes in sheets.

 

I have a silhouette cameo, but so far, I'm still an absolute newbie with it... haven't been successful with a lot of my cutting projects as yet. Haven't done the masks for windows because I haven't really figured out how I'm measuring and then creating masks.

 

However, I have cut some paper into neat shapes like skulls and flames.

Mike R - Thanks for the link. I did search through the Blog first to see if there was anything, but my search criteria turned up little. I've purchased the Oracal 651 and that stuff nearly pulls the plastic back through itself.  I'll look for the 631. The cutter is fantastic device though the CAD program included is not very versatile. The Cricut only allows importation of graphic files of a limited size, but it is quite powerful compared to having to use separate programs.

 

Mike K - Thanks for the Michael's referral. In the Big City of Tyler we actually have both a Hobby Lobby and a Michael's. I'll check the both for the 631.

 

Regards,

ScottH

[kustomfab1]

I actually do graphic stuff for a living now. There are a few different products that you can use. There are a number of paint mask/stencil vinyl manufacturers but most of the stuff made specifically for masking is somewhat thick and brittle. When combined with low tack, it makes for a rough go on slot car bodies. I’d suggest using 3M Instachange. I would guess that it’s what most body mfg use!


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[Bill from NH]

I don't paint much now, for window masks, I use tan 3M paper masking tape cut on the body. For numbers & designs, I hand cut vinyl contact paper on glass.

 

Years ago, a sign maker gave me some of his vinyl scraps. I used some of it to mask a stock car body. Gettng it off, I nearly ripped the Lexan body apart. but I was able to save it & send it to a MS friend. That vinyl was never to be seen again.

[Shruska55]

Bill,

 

One of the things I have been doing is using the enormous selection of vinyls as permanent parts of the paint job. There is a very nice silver and gold foil for example that are two sided so that they stick from the inside. For numbers it's exceptional. For some other things like flames and such, there seems to be a color du jour. The upside is that the vinyl is not coming off without a chainsaw and the seam to the body is very tight. No paint leaks. My chrome vinyl headlights look very good and doesn't require a chrome paint detail pen. So there are some upsides to using the vinyl aside from just for masks.  Plus with the copy and paste, I can print and cut a full sheet of the style.

 

Unless one is using a sublimation printer to print white, there are some very nice, thin transparent vinyls that will print sponsor badges and the like as well. At least for me.

[Mike K]

Also, Oracal 651 and for thinner more flexible vinyl Oracal 951. Both easy to apply and remove.

They are listed as "permanent", but for masking bodies, they are flexible and removable after painting.

[Joe Mig]

I bought my wife a circuit vinyl cutter for Christmas. 😂🤣

[gotboostedvr6]

Email doms raceway @ sizzlerdom@optonline.net

They have a fancy new vinyl cutter and maybe can help

[Phil Smith]

Whatever Parma used for it's precut masks for RC car bodies always worked great for me.

[Bill from NH]

Phil, was what they used for RC bodies different than what they used for slot cars & decorative sheets they sold individually? Their slot car masks I had were either pink or yellow vinyl.

[Phil Smith]

Bill, the yellow stuff. i couldn't remember if Parma made masks for slot cars.

[Bill from NH]

For hand-cutting on glass, I've used Contact brand vinyl shelf paper. My wife has a Cricut, I'll have to try it for making masks.

[Mike K]

Parma yellow vinyl was a brand called MacTac

[Shruska55]

Also, Oracal 651 and for thinner more flexible vinyl Oracal 951. Both easy to apply and remove.

They are listed as "permanent", but for masking bodies, they are flexible and removable after painting.

Mike,

I've found that the 651 that I've bought almost requires a jack hammer to remove! The upside is there have absolutely NO spray leaks on areas I've masked with it. I've just bought some Oracal 631 as recommended above, but haven't had a chance to use it yet.

[Mark Onofri]

Gotboostedrv6, sizzlerdrom has some amazing bodies also, some even have the chromium intake and exausted parts. Have it on my list to try there decals.
I'm still doing it like Bilnh, mirror & scalpel. One thing I have found is , it's worth the extra $ to use Tamyia ( or equal).
I haven't tried the tape made from frogs and frog byproducts but the blue and yellowish tape
SUCK!

[Jairus]

I work at a sign shop from time to time.  The product they use is 3M Graphic Film for cut masking.
I can create lettering, logos, stripes and what not at home using Illustrator to vector the "art" and then run down to the shop and load the vinyl.
Then Bobs you'r uncle.
Of course, all lettering has to be done backwards.....

The following car was painted using the same vinyl masking, but I cut it at home with a new #11 blade and a light table.

 

To be clear... just the "Speed & Sport" and "Ron Granlee" were masked.  The lettering on the left front was hand painted.

The material peels off wonderfully.  So well that around details I need to use a heat gun to warm the vinyl and push it into place to prevent the paint from bleeding.

[Bill from NH]

Was this Ron Granlee car, a reproduction of the Ron Granlee car given to Dennis "Foamy" Hill 5 or 6 years ago? Dennis had worked for Ron in his younger days.

[Mark Onofri]

Jarvis,I bought a light table 2.5'x3', two weeks later I was given a..... X-ray light bord ~=2.6'x1.5'. I can't believe I never thought of using it for stencils! I've been using it for blueprints ! THANKS !!!!
A CNC vinal cutter would be the t**'s but, I'm lucky I can post. I'd probably cut off a appendage with one.

[Mark Onofri]

These would be soooooo much easier.

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[Bill from NH]

I haven't tried the tape made from frogs and frog byproducts but the blue and yellowish tape
SUCK!

 

Sheets/rolls of self-stick vinyl contact paper cuts nicely on glass too. I got mine at Target or Walmart, a roll of solid tan, a roll of clear. About 45 sq. ft. per roll.

[Mark Onofri]

A local hoby shop told me to try electrical tape, I Haven't yet.
Contact paper, like shelf paper?, That makes sense.
I remember that in about 2003ish my friend Boomer bought a vinyl cutter. I think from hobby lobby. He had a lot of trouble at first but then he found a product called
STICKA
The only reason I remember that, is it's a weird name. Weather or not it's still available...IDK.

[Bill from NH]

Contact paper, like shelf paper?, That makes sense.
 

Yes, it sticks to the bodies well, but is easily removable & doesn't leave a glue film. Mine happens to be the Contact brand, but I bought it 15 yrs. ago.