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The Mainline => Modeling: Signage => Topic started by: Willwood42 on February 20, 2016, 03:36:33 PM

Title: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: Willwood42 on February 20, 2016, 03:36:33 PM
I am not sure this is the right forum,but here goes. In many Bar Mills kits (Majestic Hardware, Mooney's Plumbing) there are large signs that go on the clapboard walls. I would think they are too large for tin signs,but it would seem to be very difficult to paint them on clapboard siding (as opposed to the flat surfaces of brick or concrete). Can anybody help me with the prototype for applying large wall signs to clapboard siding.  Thanks
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: ReadingBob on February 20, 2016, 05:15:16 PM
Don't underestimate the artistic talents of the old time sign painters.   :D  Here are a few photo's I took back in the late 90's in Mahanoy City, PA.  They tore down the old movie theater which exposed the clapboard walls of the adjoining buildings.  The ad's that were painted on them were pretty well preserved.

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/56-200216171115-11516764.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/56-200216171115-11515661.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/56-200216171115-115141977.jpeg)

(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/56-200216171114-115121749.jpeg)

We're just not used to seeing this kind of thing.   :D
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: Willwood42 on February 20, 2016, 08:40:56 PM
Hi Bob, thanks so much. That is exactly what I was looking for. I want to thin the signs so they look like they are painted on, but just wasn't sure that was prototypically correct.   I am new to this forum, but find it incredibly useful because so many of its members know an awful lot about all aspects of "model trains".

ps. the signs are gorgeous too
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: rslaserkits on February 20, 2016, 10:13:36 PM
Mahanoy City is were my grand parents and mom were from. Still have family there but have not been back there in 30 years.
rich
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: ReadingBob on February 21, 2016, 09:22:05 AM
Quote from: Willwood42 on February 20, 2016, 08:40:56 PM
Hi Bob, thanks so much. That is exactly what I was looking for. I want to thin the signs so they look like they are painted on, but just wasn't sure that was prototypically correct.   I am new to this forum, but find it incredibly useful because so many of its members know an awful lot about all aspects of "model trains".

ps. the signs are gorgeous too

I'm sure glad I was able to help you out and lucky enough to have some pictures of the prototype handy.  I think the building that they tore down was built in 1923 (if I remember the article I read about it correctly) and I'd have to assume those signs were painted years earlier so that gives you some idea as to the period they belonged to.   :D
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: ReadingBob on February 21, 2016, 09:23:56 AM
Quote from: rslaserkits on February 20, 2016, 10:13:36 PM
Mahanoy City is were my grand parents and mom were from. Still have family there but have not been back there in 30 years.
rich

It's a small world Rich.  My grandparents (both sides) lived in Mahanoy City and that's were my parents are from.  I spend plenty of time there when I was very young (in the 60's).  I haven't been there since I took these pictures in the mid to late 90's. 
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: S&S RR on February 21, 2016, 09:28:48 AM
Great signs Bob!  I need to develop a good procedure for printing signs and getting them on the layout.  The issue I have had so far is with the ink running when you get them wet with the white glue.  Anyone have suggestions? I'm using a HP printer with standard ink and paper.
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: ranny9 on February 21, 2016, 11:35:25 AM
Quote from: S&S RR on February 21, 2016, 09:28:48 AM
Great signs Bob!  I need to develop a good procedure for printing signs and getting them on the layout.  The issue I have had so far is with the ink running when you get them wet with the white glue.  Anyone have suggestions? I'm using a HP printer with standard ink and paper.

John! Vellum paper and transfer tape...

Here's a bit from my Saulena's build back in the winter of 2011-2012, on Jimmy's old forum, page 2:

http://kitforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6585&hilit=saulena&start=10

"These next signs were the easiest and I got the best results. I went to Plaza Art supply store in Fairfax on Friday afternoon, and picked up a tablet of Strathmore "ink friendly" Vellum type paper which is REALLY thin, and is "13.5 pounds". I don't know exactly what the weight means, but I think it means it weighs in at 13.5 pounds per ream? Some one correct me if I am wrong. I printed them on my cheap HP printer using this lovely paper...I didn't have to sand it. I applied strips of two sided transfer tape from the top down BEFORE I cut it from the sheet. Sooooo much easier to apply. No sticking to arms, elbows, and workbenches. These were larger signs, so there were more strips. I carefully placed it under one of the clapboards and mushed lightly to set the sign in place, then went back and mushed the top line, cut and mushed, cut and mushed, cut and mushed with my burnisher. That way, it didn't try to stretch from clapboard to clapboard. When I got to the next strip, I removed it from the sign from the other side with tweezers. Then I made sure the edges were burnished really well. I LIKE the way the Lone Ranger Bread and the Palmistry and Boar's Head Tobacco signs came out!"

Unfortunately, the photo did not accompany the thread.


Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: EricQuebec on February 21, 2016, 11:55:17 AM
Quote from: S&S RR on February 21, 2016, 09:28:48 AM
Great signs Bob!  I need to develop a good procedure for printing signs and getting them on the layout.  The issue I have had so far is with the ink running when you get them wet with the white glue.  Anyone have suggestions? I'm using a HP printer with standard ink and paper.

Hi John,
In past I've used several technics :
- Printing on cigarette paper, for the small sign. Cigarette paper is very thin, and get a good result when apply with the glue used to stick the gold foil on the illuminations
- For the large Sign, with simple lettering and 3 or 4 color, I glue my sign on masking tape, then I cut all the lettering with X-acto, and apply the stencil obtained on the surface that I want to paint. I've used this technique on my Hooper Oyster kit. ANd I will used it again on my Old Artic Squid project (this time , it will be 6 different color.. a challenge)
- Finally a technic that I will use in futur for the large sign with complex signage or lettering. The technic consist to make a stencil for all  surface which are plain color. Once the surface is paint with this plain color, all the signage too complex to be paint directly is cut from the paper sign and thinned with sanding paper, then glue in place. I never try this technique, but I've seen the final result that is very  compelling to the point it is very difficult, when the job is well done, to make a difference between the surface covered with paper and the directly paint area.

Eric Québec city
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: rslaserkits on February 21, 2016, 06:14:10 PM
Yes, it is my Uncle owned a bar there and last time I was there in 71 my Cousin had it  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruts-Cafe/116497008374795.   
rich

It's a small world Rich.  My grandparents (both sides) lived in Mahanoy City and that's were my parents are from.  I spend plenty of time there when I was very young (in the 60's).  I haven't been there since I took these pictures in the mid to late 90's.
[/quote]
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: Willwood42 on March 28, 2016, 09:03:07 AM
One more option for the running ink. I used to print out my signs at work on a laser printer and had no problems. Now that I print from home on an inkjet I too have had the problem of the ink bleeding when using diluted white glue. I have had success using rubbing alcohol to "dilute" the glue. It forms sort of a slurry that is easy to spread. The ink doesn't run, and if the paper is thin enough it follows the contours of the wall reasonably well. I used this technique when adding signs to Majestic Hardware and will add photos the next time my "photographer" comes over for a visit. 
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: S&S RR on March 28, 2016, 01:53:00 PM
Thanks for all the tips on printing signs.  I was using a laser jet when I wasn't having a problem and now I'm using and inkjet. I will be trying out all your tips in the next few weeks.  Thanks again.
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: Amagic41 on March 28, 2016, 03:11:04 PM
As for the ink jet vs laser jet ... I usually print all mine on a laser jet at work but in the off chance I need something at home and use the ink jet I spray mine with workable fixative and seems to help stop the bleed
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: postalkarl on April 20, 2016, 11:38:10 AM
Hi Ken:

Thanks for the fixative trick. What exactly are you using as I've had the bleeding problem. I will assume its an artists fixative.

Karl
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: Vilius on April 20, 2016, 12:17:06 PM
I think Ken had Krylon Workable Fixatif in mind.

Vilius
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: deemery on April 20, 2016, 02:10:40 PM
I've used the matte version of this stuff (From "Michaels" craft store, via 40% coupon)  http://www.krylon.com/products/uvresistant-clear-coating/
The UV protection is an added bonus.



dave
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: EricQuebec on April 20, 2016, 05:19:07 PM
I'found on Pinterest a technique that consist to transfer direcly the ad on wood.
FIrst it seem that the ad is printed on wax paper
After what,  the wood is slightly moistened , and wax paper is applied on it. then pass a plastic card on the waxed paper to adhere drawing on wood.
The story don'T said if it's laser or inkjet printer.
Seems to be interesting.... I will make a try ... when I've time.
Is anybody have try this technic before ?

https://www   .pinterest.com/pin/378724649894546071/?utm_campaign=category_pp&e_t=08d9338056704737871beebd69daf9c7&utm_content=378724649894546071

Eric Quebec
Title: Re: Clapboard Wall Signs
Post by: Oldguy on April 21, 2016, 12:00:53 PM
Quote from: EricQuebec on April 20, 2016, 05:19:07 PM
I'found on Pinterest a technique that consist to transfer direcly the ad on wood.
FIrst it seem that the ad is printed on wax paper
After what,  the wood is slightly moistened , and wax paper is applied on it. then pass a plastic card on the waxed paper to adhere drawing on wood.
The story don'T said if it's laser or inkjet printer.
Seems to be interesting.... I will make a try ... when I've time.
Is anybody have try this technic before ?

https://www (https://www)   .pinterest.com/pin/378724649894546071/?utm_campaign=category_pp&e_t=08d9338056704737871beebd69daf9c7&utm_content=378724649894546071

Eric Quebec

Don't know if what I found was the same as what you looked at, but the one that I watched, she basically made a dry transfer.  Find an image, flip it horizontally, print it on the wax paper (using a cheap HP ink jet), then burnish the image to the flat surface (she used a plastic card).  She mentioned that one could use the wax sheet off any set of labels, such as Avery.

Looks interesting.