Winter Challenge 2024 - Flat Iron Corner Building - Tom Langford.

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Before I glue the walls together, I wanted to add one sign to the left wall. The Cocoa-Cola sign is one left over from an old kit. I always make copies of all colored signs from any kit I build. This way I have a back up if necessary and also have a file for signs I can use later on other builds.



To make the sign thinner, I use 150 grit fine sandpaper.

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I turn the sign over so the sign is face down. I take the sandpaper and gently pull it down from the top.

I'll do this until I see a fine white dusting of the paper at the bottom of the sign and on the cutting pad.



  I turn the sign back over, face up, and repeat this process. I let my eyes be the guide as to how much of the color I want removed.

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Here is how it looks after a few times pulling the sandpaper down from the top.



The sign will fit here, see below.

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I taped the outside edges of the sign location on the wall. This will also give me a guide when gluing the sign to the wall.



I then sprayed a flat coat on the wall using Mr. Hobby Flat. This flat is very thin when sprayed and seals the wall.

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I noticed the flat brought out the nail holes as well. Compare the bottom to the top.



I mixed white glue with water and painted it on the wall. I also dipped the sign in warm water to soften the paper. I've found that by pipping a sign in warm water allows the glue to become part of the sign. When it dries the sign and glue are one.

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I centered the sign between the blue tape and gently pressed it into the glue.



I let it sit for about 15 minutes and then used a toothpick to press the sign further into the random siding.

NOTE: I'm using the edge of the toothpick and not the point. This is safe as if you use the point, you will most likely tear the paper and you will have one heck of a time trying to get it fixed.

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Here is how the sign looks after drying. I still need to add a few pastels for additional weathering.

[elwoodblues]

Tom,

Great work on the sign.  When I use this technique I always have a spare sign available, because if I don't I'm guaranteed to screw up the sign thinning process.  I learned this trick the hard way .

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Ron,

Thanks for the comment and for stopping by. I also learned this lesson the hard way. 

Tom 

[Bernd]

Neat process. I always wondered how that was done. Now I know. Thanks for the SBS.

Bernd

[ACL1504]

Neat process. I always wondered how that was done. Now I know. Thanks for the SBS.

Bernd

Bernd,

Thank you and you are welcome. Happy to have you following along.

Tom 

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I added the narrow wall to the side of the storefront. As the glue was drying, I made sure the top of the walls were level to each other.



It was extremely hard to get a good fit on the walls due to the angle. However, I have a fix for this.

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In addition to getting the upper side wall to fit the front wall, I also needed to align the lower portion canopy board as well.



Since the corner boards on the rest of the build are 1 X 4s. I stained and painted 1 X 4s to use as the corner boards.

These covered the wall gap and cleaned up the look of the angles not matching.

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I then added the frieze boards to the top of the two walls. This was another difficult angle to get the two boards flush. I got them fairly close but I had a fix for this also. This is a trick I've never shared in the past.



I took a wooden toothpick and shaved both sides of the end. A wood version of a putty knife.