Joined: Tue Feb 28 2006, 04:03PM
Location: Virginia
Posts: 39
I'm repainting the black centers on my Fury covers and I can't figure out how the factory did it. Masking off the edges of the big circle part is no problem, but how did they keep the paint out of the inset "Plymouth Division" letters? My covers had no black paint left on them at all, so I can't see just how good a job they did masking the letters originally. Any ideas? Guy
It was probably done in a process similair to flexography in printing. The paint is put on rubber stamp and then transfered only to the high points by pushing the stamp against the part.
Joined: Fri Oct 07 2005, 12:03PM
Location: Central Ky.
Posts: 1575
Here's how I've done this kinda stuff before....
Mask the outer edge just like you said, then take a small brush & some Vaseline & brush the Vaseline into the letters. You can wipe-off any escess easily around the edges if you slip. Then Shoot the whole thing & wipe-off the vaseline after drying good & you'll have your letters.
Remember the factory was actually a bit sloppy anyway on this stuff if you really look so don't beat yourself up on it. If you do have a smal spot that drives ya crazy after you're done spray the same paint into a cap & dip a clean brush in & touch-up.
I've got the same Ugly Wheelcovers for mine & might just use 'em someday for a truly sleeper-look so that'll be the precodure for me.
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Fri May 12 2006, 09:41AM ]</span>
Joined: Tue Oct 11 2005, 01:33AM
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 5893
Another method that works well and easier than vaseline is to use some modeling clay ( Plasticine ) to fill all the indentations. Work it well into each letter so that you get a good edge bond, use a plastic scraper to level it and get a smooth edge, a credit card works well. Then shoot your paint. Do a test piece first to make sure the filler and the paint thinner don't react, if the filler dissolves the edge detail will be comprised. What ever way you do it be careful of the paint edges around the letters as it won't be a feather edge and tend will chip easily until is well dried and cured. Maybe a coat of clear would eliminate that problem.
Just a guess based on other printing projects I have done in the past. Flexography is also kind of sloppy, which would jive with the inconsistency seen on the wheel covers. But it is a fast and cheap form of printing on odd surfaces. Can't imagine them manually masking all those letters individually!
Joined: Fri Oct 28 2005, 12:14PM
Location: Toronto
Posts: 169
RM23J8G wrote ... I'm repainting the black centers on my Fury covers and I can't figure out how the factory did it. Masking off the edges of the big circle part is no problem, but how did they keep the paint out of the inset "Plymouth Division" letters? My covers had no black paint left on them at all, so I can't see just how good a job they did masking the letters originally. Any ideas? Guy
Vaseline is the way to go, I used it before on the same type of project and it worked ok. Just let the paint dry properly then wash of the Vaseline, shouldn't have any problems.