Galaxy_Stranger Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Anybody have experience making stencils for airbrushing in order to replace some decals? The concept works and makes sense, but when you go to implement, that's when the problems crop up. I just find it hard to believe that, these days, we don't have any proper materials that could handle the abuse and detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZEOD Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 you can buy stencilling mask vinyl from signwriter suppliers. The sheets can be cut on a vinyl cutter, spreyed over and removed fairly easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxy_Stranger Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 You think that material would be good for 1/72 scale Valkyrie cockpits? Most other materials I've seen are too thick and/or can't squeeze enough detail out of them and/or too delicate for re-use. Would almost have to be some sort of transparent plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZEOD Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 hand cutting and liquid latex could be another option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MechTech Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Are you mass producing, or just a one off? Depending on the curves, people have done all kinds of crazy stuff. NZEOD mentioned some great ideas. Some of the other things I've seen used are the sticky portion of sticky notes (small stencils only), regular putty for one off temporary masks on compound curves. For mass produced compound curved templates I've seen epoxy putty used. I'm guessing commercial masks aren't available for what you want? - MT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxy_Stranger Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 Well, what I'm going for is just a mask that I can re-use without destroying it, not necessarily mass-produce. Though, I'd love to be able to make many of them just so they're available to everyone. The classic "US Air Force" star with the stripes would be a good example. You would have to make two or three passes to do that one - and that's a simple design. I started looking at thin Mylar last night. Maybe that's a start. But I'm starting to think you begin with something thick and rigid - that you use as a template to cut detailing tape every time you want to spray. That sounds viable. And I'd do put up with it as often as I'd need to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXO Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Here's a hood that I painted with stencils. The only decal was the decepticon symbol. Everything was hand cut, traced from a design I photocopied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZEOD Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 ... Autobots symbol... Decepticons Symbol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxy_Stranger Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 Here's a hood that I painted with stencils. The only decal was the decepticon symbol. Everything was hand cut, traced from a design I photocopied. Awesome - what material did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXO Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 lol... I meant Autobot symbol. I actually just used a transparent adhesive masking material. I think I got it from micromark. But I put shipping tape on top of the paper that I printed the pattern on so the paper won't stick to the masking film and tear. You just have to be really good with that exacto knife. http://www.micromark.com/parafilm-m,7551.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxy_Stranger Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXO Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 oh... And don't forget to use transfer tape. If it's a small graphic, you can just use drafting or masking tape. You can detack the tape by sticking it to your clothes before you put it on the mask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZEOD Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 ahhhh yes!!! Parafilm is used in the Chemistry lab to cover over test tubes and Flasks before mixing products! Its a waxy film. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxy_Stranger Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 What thickness of plastic do you think would be needed to make templates of a stencil for permanent storage? I'm thinking you could do that just to have it, and then use the template to cut out whatever masking material you're going to use. So, hold it over Parafilm or masking tape to cut out the shape into the masking medium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MechTech Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Yeah, I remember that job EXO, it came out great! - MT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boroboy Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 What thickness of plastic do you think would be needed to make templates of a stencil for permanent storage? I'm thinking you could do that just to have it, and then use the template to cut out whatever masking material you're going to use. So, hold it over Parafilm or masking tape to cut out the shape into the masking medium. For my airbrush stencils, I usually use 0.3 mm mylar if I'm going to keep it around. For one offs, I'll generally use whatever I have laying around - usually frisket, liquid latex, paper, silly putty, or some combination of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXO Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 What thickness of plastic do you think would be needed to make templates of a stencil for permanent storage? I'm thinking you could do that just to have it, and then use the template to cut out whatever masking material you're going to use. So, hold it over Parafilm or masking tape to cut out the shape into the masking medium. I'm looking at the parafilm and it looks too flimsy to me. I say just get some transparent vinyl if you're going to cut it by hand yourself. That was just me looking thru what I had at the time to finish a custom. Yeah, I remember that job EXO, it came out great! - MT Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxy_Stranger Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 Yeah, some regular plastic sheets should do nicely. I'll go to Hobby Blobby and see what they've got if I can't dig up something around the house. As a matter of fact, I might be able to practice on this F-14 I've got. I didn't notice it was a snap-tite, so the quality is deplorable and it came with STICKERS! I bet I can make reusable stencils out of the stickers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.