how to mask raised lettering

S

stephen44

Just thinking ahead - on my '67 Ford F100 - how do you all tackle the raised "FORD" on the tailgate ?

Spray main color first and then mask off ? - The original almost looks like it was rollered on with a hard roller - not perfect - wavey lines and not a 'solid" coverage ?

View attachment 698 - you can click on image for larger picture Tailgate_letter.jpg
 
When ready for paint I would spray white first then mask the letters and spray the color background.
Not sure how they did it originally, may have been silk screed printed, but certainly a fast sure production method.
I would create the masks in a computer program and cut them from paint mask vinyl. It takes some time to get them correct but makes the painting process easy.
Find a sign shop in your area who can trace and diditize the letters before you strip, sand, paint so the letters can be traced from the original.
From that the masks can be made.
 
Not in "premium vinyl" which usually indicates high performance material that has agressive, permanent adhesive. They would be fine if used as intended, that is to paint the tailgate and apply the letters (white in your case) as a finish.
Would be a winner if you can contact that vendor and have the letters cut from paint mask (removeable) vinyl, no way that could be done as a one off job for the price advertised.
Or just get the HP white letters and put them on after paint. Depends on what you want for a finished product, paint or vinyl.
 
A long time ago, we had magnetic masks for those letters. I would not begin to know who would still have them now.
 
Personally, for such a small job I would spray the white. Then just mask it manually with wide crepe tape (I have some you can see through) or some clear artool mask and an xacto knife. I have a plotter but by the time I figured out all the letters and made it just right I would have been done twice over manually.
 
I have sprayed one on top of the other then wet-sanded the top color off of the letters. But that was on a license plate...
 
metalman has it right on. white first then mask off and shoot the truck color. how you mask it is up to you. you can do it by hand or with a machine. i always prefer a machine BUT its probably going to be difficult to get the ford logo to exactly match the lettering on the tailgate to follow right on the edge before it rolls over. it will probably be easier for you to do by hand. i would use the same masking vinyl though because its easy to cut and leaves a super clean edge. if you can get your hands on some then just stick it on the letter and use an exacto knife. the vinyl is called spray mask. it is a slightly thicker vinyl with a low tack adhesive like what is on masking tape. now if you want it super perfect and dont trust your cutting abilities i can computer cut the masks here and send them to you so all you have to do is stick them on but i will have to give you specific instructions on exactly what to do so it comes out right. this will require a phone call. if you decide to go that route please do it before you sand the white off the letters then just drop me an email or pm and i'll give you my phone #.
 
Jim C;11206 said:
metalman has it right on. white first then mask off and shoot the truck color. how you mask it is up to you. you can do it by hand or with a machine. i always prefer a machine BUT its probably going to be difficult to get the ford logo to exactly match the lettering on the tailgate to follow right on the edge before it rolls over. it will probably be easier for you to do by hand. i would use the same masking vinyl though because its easy to cut and leaves a super clean edge. if you can get your hands on some then just stick it on the letter and use an exacto knife. the vinyl is called spray mask. it is a slightly thicker vinyl with a low tack adhesive like what is on masking tape. now if you want it super perfect and dont trust your cutting abilities i can computer cut the masks here and send them to you so all you have to do is stick them on but i will have to give you specific instructions on exactly what to do so it comes out right. this will require a phone call. if you decide to go that route please do it before you sand the white off the letters then just drop me an email or pm and i'll give you my phone #.
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Jim, how do I say this without sounding like a fool in here? YOU ARE THE ( · ) ( · ) 's.

Always willing to help people out, you and many others are part of what makes this forum pretty f*ing cool and useful.

Ok I sound like a tool, but I just had to say it. :D
 
Jim C;11206 said:
metalman has it right on. white first then mask off and shoot the truck color. how you mask it is up to you. you can do it by hand or with a machine. i always prefer a machine BUT its probably going to be difficult to get the ford logo to exactly match the lettering on the tailgate to follow right on the edge before it rolls over. it will probably be easier for you to do by hand. i would use the same masking vinyl though because its easy to cut and leaves a super clean edge. if you can get your hands on some then just stick it on the letter and use an exacto knife. the vinyl is called spray mask. it is a slightly thicker vinyl with a low tack adhesive like what is on masking tape. now if you want it super perfect and dont trust your cutting abilities i can computer cut the masks here and send them to you so all you have to do is stick them on but i will have to give you specific instructions on exactly what to do so it comes out right. this will require a phone call. if you decide to go that route please do it before you sand the white off the letters then just drop me an email or pm and i'll give you my phone #.
Click to expand...

PM very gratefully sent !


Stephen
 
Just a comment -

I expect the letters were indeed rollered on. That's how the body shop did them back when I was a peon at a Jeep dealer in the '70s. I was told at that time, they were using the same method that the factory used.
 
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