The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Tailgate lettering tips and tricks

Does anyone have tips and tricks they can share with me about applying the vynal letter to my 53 tailgate?

Chevytruckdaddy

Off topic, but perhaps helpful. I painted mine, using a high density foam roller, and they came out quite nice...

See post #112 here: http://talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?t=13928&page=8

Ok, cool that's one way, awesome thank you.

Scott

On Search & Restore TV show, they had a guy do the Ford logo on the tailgate. He laid paper over the raised letters, masked it in place, then used his fingers to press the paper around the raised letters, then traced the letter outline with a pencil, and cut them out with an Exacto knife. Ended up with a great " stencil " that he used to airbrush the logo in a mock chrome color. End product looked great.

I bought the vynal letters from LMC so I was wondering if I should use rubbing alcohol or water on the tailgate then applie the vynal letters, The rubbing alchol or the water should allow me to move the letters in place.

I'm guessing?

Scott

I used a mild solution of baby shampoo and water.

very, very light mist so I could move the letter if needed.

when I got the letter where I wanted it, I just squeegeed out the water with my thumbs.

...click...

practice with a remnant

good luck

Excellent, that's what I'll do. Thank you. I loved your YouTube post. ;-)

Scott

Back when woodgrain decals were popular, I applied dozens of them after doing body work with water in a simple pump spray bottle like Windex or other household cleaners are dispensed with. Give the area where the decal goes a good wetdown, apply the decal and jockey ith int position, then use a plastic Bondo squeege to work the water and the bubbles out from under the decal, working from the center toward the edges. The glue is waterproof, so you won't compromise it at all
Jerry

Awesome, thank you Jerry. This project is on deck for tomorrow.

Scott

Scott,

I just applied the decals on my 59 tailgate and did not have any problems at all. I took my time and layed them over the clearcoat. It came out great.
Mike

I put our decals in store front window every month. Dads50 is dead on, little bit of dish soap with water in a spray bottle, mist it but not too much, don't do it in the hot sun for sure, wet enough so u can move it then squeegee out any bubbles and extra water. To paint make a pattern on transfer tape and apply, scuff area, get some one shot lettering enamel, apply with a small sponge roller. Don't go too heavy, pull tape before completly dry.