The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Gonna try a new approach to Door Art

I won't be painting til next year-But I'm already thinking about colors, paint choices etc. In doing so I've become interested in having a theme for the truck. There's a section of town here called "Gypsy Springs" an informal name for a part of town that actually was the home for gypsies in the late 1800's to early 1900's. There was a natural spring there and they sold bottled water. My truck came from that neighborhood and my grand father worked for the gypsies bottling water for something like $.09 a day when he was a kid.

I've become interested in door art..after seeing Woody's door art page (thanks Woody). So I'll be incorporating the "Gypsy Springs" theme into some door art. Rather than try an find someone to hand paint it..I'll do it myself using modern technology. I'll create it using graphics software, have a vinyl decal made(out sourced) apply it and clear over it..wet sanding every so many coats until the edge of decal is invisable. (like decoupage for those familiar with that craft. This will not have the charm of a hand painted door..but keeps it in the realm of what I can do myself and should look pretty sharp. I used a logo program and will need to convert it to a vector file before sending it off via internet to the sign people.

Any body experimented with decals?

Keith

I would do a test first. Get some of the vinyl scrap from the sign place and test the clear over it first. That way you aren't out the cost of the artwork. Vinyl can get ugly when some reducers hit it. It is worth a try. It also fades from UV over time. You may want it to age some and then apply the clear with UV protection to help make it look more seasoned.

Neil

Yes I thought about a test piece just to be sure also. Should be ok thou..Harley gas tank graphics are done this way.

Thanks for the reply Neil.

Keith

Let us see what you come up with and a report on how it worked out. I am thinking about doing some door art when the time comes.

I have done a few motorcyle tanks that way, clear coat over the top oof decals. It works very well, and doesn't use as much clear as you would think. Joe

Neil- I will report back..actual finishing is a long way off-likely next fall- but you need to plan ahead..in a day or two I'll post my initial graphics-I've lined up a local supplier to produce the decal..all done online-

Good info Joe..I was wondering how much clear it will take to burry the decal.

Thanks gentleman,

Slick

You really need to look around and see if you can find an old-timer to paint your doors. It's really not as expensive as you think and if you let him design it the way he would of in the 50s he might cut you a nice deal in exchange for the fun of bringing back memories.

Most guys in the biz that have been around that long now own or manage sign shops and I found them anxious to do the job.

It's worth a shot... vinyl is pretty thick to be trying to feather the edge with clear plus you run the chance of having some reaction between the clear, vinyl and adhesive.

Hey woody-

I knew you'd chime in here eventually and I knew you'd lean towards the traditional hand painted art...nothing wrong with that..I really love the door art thing and like another poster in another forum thought about creating a ficticous business just to justify one..maybe a carting service..and hey maybe I'll actually do some carting..life imitating art..

This is a year off so maybe in that time I'll stumble on someone..but it does seem to be a "lost art"..

Thanks for weighing in..Headed to the garage to grind some welds..not my favorite job

Keith

I have vinyl lettering and art on my 2003 Savana. It lasts a few years, then the cold winters take a toll on it. I wouldn't dream of using vinyl on my panel, although I intend to get someone to paint my business logo and name on it. I agree that there is some nice door art out there.