I'm looking for information from others on how they add fine detail, such as the almost microscopic text, to custom painted cars.
Anthony
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Decals printed from MS Word as well as store bought decal sets
Same here, decals or rub-off transfer sheets. I used to do it in HO, so this is now a piece of cake!
@Artie-DL&W posted:Same here, decals or rub-off transfer sheets. I used to do it in HO, so this is now a piece of cake!
You mean something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Incal-Rub-off-Decal-Laser-Printer/dp/B09CKLSF7H/ ?
When this thread has run its course, I'll show everyone what I wanted to use for this task.
Yes, dry transfer, just like that, but model railroad specific companies like Woodland Scenics, Clover House, and others.
This HO covered hopper was done with decals, and the trainman’s marks were dry transfers.
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Since we all know I think way outside of the box, I'd thought I'd share what I was looking at to apply fine detail:
https://smile.amazon.com/Print...rnish/dp/B08FZ3SMLY/
I did not pull this idea out of thin air. Lionel LionScale in NC had a behemoth of a unit for prototyping and printing which made a ton of noise when it moved the bed. I wonder what happened to that unit when they shut down?
Anthony
@A. Wells posted:Since we all know I think way outside of the box, I'd thought I'd share what I was looking at to apply fine detail:
https://smile.amazon.com/Print...rnish/dp/B08FZ3SMLY/
I did not pull this idea out of thin air. Lionel LionScale in NC had a behemoth of a unit for prototyping and printing which made a ton of noise when it moved the bed. I wonder what happened to that unit when they shut down?
Anthony
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@A. Wells posted:I did not pull this idea out of thin air. Lionel LionScale in NC had a behemoth of a unit for prototyping and printing which made a ton of noise when it moved the bed. I wonder what happened to that unit when they shut down?
Anthony
When who shut down? Lionel uses their printing machines every day. Nothing is shut down.
Stu
@NOT LionelLLC posted:When who shut down? Lionel uses their printing machines every day. Nothing is shut down.
Stu
Stu - I thought they had closed the LionScale facility in North Carolina. If they're still open, that's fantastic! A
Pardon my ignorance, but what are those things, and do they use them for lettering on models?
@Artie-DL&W posted:Pardon my ignorance, but what are those things, and do they use them for lettering on models?
Thank you, Anthony. I thought previously that they still used pad printing, but, like everything else, technology moves on. Beautifully smooth running machine.
@Artie-DL&W posted:Thank you, Anthony. I thought previously that they still used pad printing, but, like everything else, technology moves on. Beautifully smooth running machine.
They may still use pad printing for mass production. I know that printing unit was used for prototyping at the very least. I actually have some Great Northern ACF Hoppers made at that facility.
I am currently in the process of adding decals to some custom painted cars. I have printed decals in the past but for white and yellow markings, you need opaque decals which means either commercial or custom made. I wanted to add bar code markings. I found pictures on the internet, sized them fit my need, imported them to a page document, printed them on plain white paper and attached them using carpenters glue. When I finish all the decals and markings I will apply a few coats of matte finish for protection.
It’s cheap, simple and very adaptable.
Cheers, Dave
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@darlander posted:I am currently in the process of adding decals to some custom painted cars. I have printed decals in the past but for white and yellow markings, you need opaque decals which means either commercial or custom made. I wanted to add bar code markings. I found pictures on the internet, sized them fit my need, imported them to a page document, printed them on plane white paper and attached them using carpenters glue. When I finish all the decals and markings I will apply a few coats of matte finish for protection.
It’s cheap, simple and very adaptable.
Cheers, Dave
@darlander (Dave) - You can actually get laser printers than print white now a days, albeit they are rather expensive.
Decals and dry transfers from whoever has what I need. Rivets and surface details from Archer.
The ACI decals are available from K4 Decals. They are for the period from 1965 to present on older freight cars and engines, even though the KarTrak system was pretty much outdated and discontinued in the late 70’s
https://k4decals.com/collectio...rcode-tags-decal-ktk
They also sell data and misc decal sheets for fine print lettering…
Tom
I use a combination of commercial and home made decals. You can achieve white if you use white decal paper. I have used the commercial ACI decals also.
Even the window on this custom kitbashed caboose is a decal I made.
The baseball is white decal paper and is not picking up the white from the train car.
UI 1847 are woodland scenics dry rub transfer. Some more custom made (white paper) along with commercial brand decals.
Here are some custom clear decals that are picking up the yellow color from the train car.
Some fun at Easter time.
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Has any one used a coat of clear gloss over the decals before the matte coat? John
Rattler21, I always gloss coat first, apply decals, and when dry, dull coat.
@rattler21 posted:Has any one used a coat of clear gloss over the decals before the matte coat? John
Absolutely.
3 foot rule..... anyone, anyone .... lol.
@A. Wells posted:Since we all know I think way outside of the box, I'd thought I'd share what I was looking at to apply fine detail:
https://smile.amazon.com/Print...rnish/dp/B08FZ3SMLY/
I did not pull this idea out of thin air. Lionel LionScale in NC had a behemoth of a unit for prototyping and printing which made a ton of noise when it moved the bed. I wonder what happened to that unit when they shut down?
Anthony
I want one of those that can print on mental. Yep, say so right in their own blurb: mental.
Darlander,
All of the carpenters glue I use and am aware of is yellow in color, thick, and made for bonding wood only. So, I am curious as to how it is effectively bonding paper to the sides of plastic cars?
Thanks,
Mannyrock
@rustycoupler posted:3 foot rule..... anyone, anyone .... lol.
I assume you mean 3 ft in O Scale 
Oddly enough, this issue came up again today in regards to the print on Gunderson lift rectangles. I think the subject should be "...Applying Super Fine Detail...". I even looked at the possibility of hooking up a 0.05mm air brush to a CNC (aka Creality 3D Pro Printer). When the time comes, should the time come, I'm eager to see what method I adopt for this purpose.
Anthony
