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I'm disappointed in Decals and want a more realistic Effect on my Vehicles. Does anyone have any advice on creating spray templates?

I was pondering on it last night, what is the best materials to use to make the template? The best technique to protect the rest of the vehicle? What masking tape will not remove the paint underneath when it is removed?

It is primarily this design for RHINOS & LAND RAIDERS.




Any advice?

Low-tac or pressure sensative masking tape would be the way forward I think. You'll find it in most good DIY stores, B&Q, Homebase are all good bets. For the stencil I would assume plasticard of some variety.

On another note, if you are worried about the rest of the model why not sponge it on with some natural sponge. You get a less solid colouring which would be perfect for adding chipping.

I would just cut it out of card and use a higher end sponge and dab it over until it is solid.

The sponge is a good idea.

I was going to suggest that if you use tape, make sure you use the right thing.

I have only Tamiya model masking tape and the Scotch (blue) painters tape (for DELICATE Surfaces only - has orange inside).

I haven't tried this yet, but I was going to attempt just cutting my stencil out of regular paper, that I've printed on the computer, and using hairspray to temporarily adhere it to the model. This is could present some problems, like the paper might not want to come off, or the hairspray might make the paper porous so that the paint leaks through... but I have a good feeling. Gonna give it a go hehe.

Most craft stores sell stencil plastic, its a soft plastic that cuts easily and is thin. I've used it to make stencils for small non-40k stuff, and its worked out well enough Im planning on using it for vehicle insignia and such.

Its cheap too, was less than 3$ for 3 5"x7" sheets.

Are you using an airbrush- or a regular brush?

Hey Mistress of Minis... is that stencil plastic adhesive? ...and at the same time, not too adhesive that it removes paint?

...further can it be printed on?

Thanks!

MoM got a new avatar! Didn't notice yet,sorry.

Anyway,I hate transfers too,they suck a lot,if that's what you mean by decals.

If you mean stuff printed out on adhesive sheets,then I need to try that! I've heard you can spray matte finish on the "tape" and it softens up a bit...or you could use matte finish sheets...

Gunzhard wrote:Hey Mistress of Minis... is that stencil plastic adhesive? ...and at the same time, not too adhesive that it removes paint?

...further can it be printed on?

Thanks!

Its not adhesive by itself, with the experiments Ive done with it so far it works well on flat surfaces, and I use a bit of blu-tac on the edges to hold it in place. I've been looking for some sort of gummy adhesive to put on one side though- so you can press it on, spray, and then move it to the next spot.

For curved surfaces- I think it might need to be shaped with a little heating. Like warming it up in hot water- then pushing it down over a shoulder pad before cutting the design into it.

I wonder if hairspray would work?

http://www.amazon.com/Pechiney-Plastic-Packaging-Parafilm-250/dp/B0017YDXFM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=industrial&qid=1275801716&sr=1-1

This is what you want. It's a light plastic that you can stretch to adjust to contours of a model, and can cut to your design without harming the plastic itself.

But since its packaging tape- is the adhesive a lo-tac type? it might cut easily but of it peels off the paint underneath it...

And at those prices you may as well just buy the actual frisket tape

It's not packaging tape at all

It's basically like Saran Wrap. Really fun stuff too since it's not liable to rip like the wrap will.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, if you saw the size of the roll--you'd be amazed. It's bigger than my friggin' fist!

But is it adhesive/tacky on its own- or is it just a stretchy film?

I realize the roll is sizable- but we're painting minis, not RV's :p

But I think the OP was wanting something reusable- as cutting a fresh symbol into frisket type stuff everytime you use it would get tedious. Can that stuff be re-used, or is it a one shot deal?

Oh it can definitely be reused. I'm cutting templates this weekend for doing my Sentinels.

And it has no tack, but it stretches to fit. Think of it as spandex.

Im curious to see the results- but without some adhesion it doesnt seem much more useful than the other material options that only have a small upfront cost

step by step pic / tutorial would be great , i want to spray paint something on the vendetta's large wings

or maybe on some rhinos

Using a spray can, I'd definitely suggest masking the areas around the stencil since the spray pattern is larger. Most of the stencils stuff I use are pretty small so far, so have been limited to airbrush work. Its the same process for a spray can though, just different scale

yup, everyone ran a quick test last night. Sponge or Airbrush is good, spray can is not very good at all. Sponging gave a nice crisp finish, i'm not showing the test because my wife got upset that our Wheelie bin has been assualted by a bunch of miniature bears. (I'm really not helping my stupid Geek male image at the moment!)



TOP TIP - Be bl**dy careful cutting Plastic Card nearly lost a digit it's still here (but for the grace of god) see!

But they are bears, how could she be upset? I found when spraying with stencils the cans spray too much and either tend to get under the edges or you get a drip and it messes it up. I imagine an airbrush work well just due to the less paint spraying out.

I would have made the stencil out of a blister pack myself. Plasticard is tough stuff to get such nice detail out of.

For airbrushing and getting crisp edges the stencil/template needs to be flush on the surface you're painting. Otherwise you'll get some overspray between the surface and the stencil(thats why I asked about brushing it on- was gonna tell ya yo try a sponge or stipling brush )

And the difficulty of cutting fine detail into styrene- and the inherent finger hazards- is why I went to using the stencil plastic blanks- theyre much softer plastic and cuts easier.

Im not sure if plastic milk jugs in the UK are the same as they are here- but theyre a good type of plastic to use as long as you stick with acrylics. Thin and easy to cut shapes into.

Lost a digit?

Samus Digit = Finger.

Mistress, I am definitely using another material. Milk Jugs are available here but they are made of PET, I'm off to hobby craft to find something thicker than paper I can print on and cut out easily, Plasticard is rubbish for this application, somehow passed the roll to wound.

mwnciboo wrote:Samus Digit = Finger.

Mistress, I am definitely using another material. Milk Jugs are available here but they are made of PET, I'm off to hobby craft to find something thicker than paper I can print on and cut out easily, Plasticard is rubbish for this application, somehow passed the roll to wound.

Thanks.I had the strangest feeling you were talking about.......well..um..never mind

Emasculation, its been threatened believe me. Yeah, no Anne Marie Bobbit here if you please.
how the hell would that work? I would have had to be doing something very inappropriate whilst wielding a craft knife


Vehicle Templates are definitely the way forward over Decals, plus you can drybrush over it, highlight it. It looks far more realistic.

Never mind the wife, that what the wheelie bins are for, been using mine for years.

I use masking tape for stencils, you just need to ensure you knifes sharp.
On small area either use either small sponge, cotton wool buds (q-tip) or a fine spread air brush. The former two are nice and cheap and can give just as good results without the risk of over spray.

mwnciboo wrote:
how the hell would that work? I would have had to be doing something very inappropriate whilst wielding a craft knife

Crafts knives can roll off tables...then they fall...

ha ha, not with a Jewellers Apron! It can never happen check them out they are awesome mine is attached to my Desk so if anything falls it lands in the fold.

It then bounces off the apron like a trampoline!

But ya- the aprons are good if clamped to your desk/table.

I made the mistake of putting my desk and modeling stuff in a room with grey carpet.

I just started doing a light red mist of paint onto anything I worked with that had small bitz....otherwise it usually disappeared.

My work had grey speckled carpet, anything dropped involves a lot of patting on the carpet feeling for bits.

It then bounces off the apron like a trampoline!

yeah cheers, the next time I drop a knife it'll bounce off the apron and into my eye....I hope your happy!

Whoops we need to bring this back on target.

So, Templates then...