Painting and stencils

I'd like to put some lettering and graphics on my next bird - nothing too complicated - and was thinking about making my own stencils. I imagine I can print out what I need and cut appropriately.

Does this method work? Is regular office paper going to bleed spray-paint through, and if so, what weight paper should I use? Any other advice here?

Thanks in advance.

I use stencils instead of stickers all the time. Stickershock cuts them for me using proper 3M masking. I doubt paper would result in a good result. The 3M material Stickershock uses leaves a very clean line, with no bleeding at all.

Scroll down the gallery to my Polar Viper. I first sprayed the area to be stenciled a medium blue. Then I applied self adhesive stencil letters from Hobby Lobby. I sprayed the area medium blue to seal them. Then I used the dark blue over the entire rocket. After the paint had set up I removed the stencils. I had to touch up in a few places where the paint bled under the stencils, but it worked pretty well. I added white paint by hand to the tops of all the letters. I can take better photos if you want.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/k-s-arctic-wolf-gallery.21851/

I have used paper stencils cut with a hand operated machine.
My goal was a rough imperfect edge similar to military lettering. That is what I got. I did a few practice attempts to get a technique. Doesn’t take much.
If you want pretty letters go to Stickershock
M

mpitfield said:

I use stencils instead of stickers all the time. Stickershock cuts them for me using proper 3M masking. I doubt paper would result in a good result. The 3M material Stickershock uses leaves a very clean line, with no bleeding at all.

Click to expand...

Hi Michael,

So you have Stickershock make the stencils for you, you apply them, spray paint over them, and then just remove?

Joshua F Thomas said:

Hi Michael,

So you have Stickershock make the stencils for you, you apply them, spray paint over them, and then just remove?

Click to expand...

Yes, it is as simple as that. I usually remove the masks when the paint isn't fully cured, but initially, it can be tricky to lift the edge. I carefully use the tip of an Exacto knife to lift an edge; then I peel it back my fingers. I have done this with both rattlecan paint and using automotive paint through an HVLP.

I would add that I have also successfully masked edges using good automotive 3M masking tape to create rings or edges between colours, but nothing curved. I am not confident in my abilities to do anything with a compound curve in it, but I have seen some excellent work by talented painters where they did just that, masked by hand.

The 3M stencil material and patterns from Stickershock is almost cheating. It provides fantastic results with the least amount of effort.

Excellent, I'll have to look into that. I just hope it's not crazy expensive!

If you have access to a Cricut machine you can make your own. I discovered someone here at work who has one and let me borrow it to cut some vinyl for me. I wonder if they would have Cricut machines in maker spaces?

People talk about 3D printing and laser cutting and cricut or whatever... and I have zero access to that

Where are you located? Have you checked your local library, and/or the presence of maker spaces? Often they have them at colleges. You may be surprised to discover you have more access than you think. Also, of course, there are commercial services that'll do 3D printing, laser cutting, whatever. No different than paying Mark to cut vinyl for you.

However, as I said, I'm not sure about whether maker spaces would typically have something like a Cricut machine.

My local library has a Cricut, a large format printer (4 feet wide by whatever length) that uses photo paper and even vinyl for banners, two 3D printers, etc. I don't live in a big city; I live just South of East Butt Wipe, OH, so look around and you may be surprised to find a library near you that has stuff you can use.

I found letters and numbers at hobby lobby. Run you $3-$4

Painted a background of white primer.

Put letters and stars where I wanted them.

Painted over them with white primer.

Painted over with final color.

Removed letters.

Presto.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/tank-killer-update-11-15.139310/

See post 15

I did this with a multi-layer stencil I cut out of typing paper, and rattle can paint

I have had good luck using old-school frisket film for masking/stencilling.