Painting graphics on plywood - advice

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rkcarguy
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Re: Painting graphics on plywood - advice

Post by rkcarguy »

I had this problem with some large decals I applied to a race car years ago, the backer paper just wouldn't let go of the vinyl even though it felt like I had decent adhesion to the cars body. I ended up making a solution of dish washing soap ( I had lemon Joy) and warm water and sprayed it onto the backing several times and was able to get it to let go and leave the decal on the car.
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makinsmoke
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Re: Painting graphics on plywood - advice

Post by makinsmoke »

Benjamin,
You have to burnish the stencil onto the surface with the backer on. I used the end of a model paintbrush. The round wood end.
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Benjamin Maggi
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Re: Painting graphics on plywood - advice

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

I burnished and burnished and burnished. I pushed it into the wood as hard as I could. Then, when I removed the backer the stencil came off too. The plywood just wasn't smooth enough to give the stencil enough surface area to make a firm grip that could overcome the pull of removing the backer. I tried multiple stencils in multiple places with the same result.

I might just paint a piece of aluminum and then stencil that, and then screw the decorated metal onto the side of the car. It is only a bulkhead riding car and not a detailed freight car.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
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NP317
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Re: Painting graphics on plywood - advice

Post by NP317 »

Benjamin Maggi wrote: Fri Aug 30, 2019 9:22 am [snip]
I might just paint a piece of aluminum and then stencil that, and then screw the decorated metal onto the side of the car. It is only a bulkhead riding car and not a detailed freight car.
That's what I've done. Works fine over time.
RN
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makinsmoke
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Re: Painting graphics on plywood - advice

Post by makinsmoke »

You might try spray Spar Urethane in rattle can.
That’s what I top coat everything wood with.
It comes in gloss, satin and flat.

Just like the model guys, use a coat of gloss and put your stencils/decals on that layer. Topcoat with satin.
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