This job was a challenge. Oh, not because of the truck, customer, etc., but because it would be the first time I was actually using some new software. It all started when my good friend and fellow sign maker, Jim Fisher, was having some trouble with the files I was sending him to digitally print for me. I know how to paint. Printing? Well, that’s another thing altogether. 

 

Jim is a solid SignLab user and is excellent with it. If you’ve read any of my articles, you know I have been a Flexi user.  I’ve also recently got more focused on Corel Draw. So, you can see that I was making (probably still am) Jim’s life a living hell with the different file formats. Thank God he has patience. I would have thrown me out!

 

One day, I said, maybe it’s time I got SignLab so that we can eliminate some of our technical issues.

 

Here’s the sketch that I created in my new sign program, SignLab 9, to sell the job. And, this is the file that I used to cut my paint mask from. Note the double lines (outline) that will be cut in the “R-Tape” yellow paint mask.

Well, it took me a while, but I finally got my SignLab Version 9. I can tell you that it pays to have friends that are a phone call away. Thanks to Jim, Zeke Lemanski and Steve Magnanti, I was on my way, creating some pretty cool stuff in no time. 

 

I’ve also had Jim digital print some files for me using SignLab, and they are great.

 

This truck job was unusual because the customer wanted the lettering on the bottom of the doors. This is not really a big deal, just different. He chose the type face; I created a sketch in my new SignLab 9. 

 

After he approved of the layout, a day was given to him to drop the truck off. I would need to have it done in one day.

 

I used R-Tape’s yellow masking vinyl because it’s easy to see, easy to remove and cuts like butter. It is not affected by paint in any way.

The paint is Ronan’s lettering enamel. It covers great, dries fast and will last.

 

Of course, my airbrush of choice is the Iwata Eclipse, a real workhorse.

I tell my customer(s) not to wash or wax the vehicle for at least 72 hours, and no pressure washing or car washes.

 

Keep your brush wet.

The truck has been cleaned of all wax and grease, and is ready to be painted.	The paint mask is installed and masking paper surrounds the mask. I recommend using only auto body masking paper or a similar paper. Never use newspaper.
I roll a coat of Ronan’s burgundy lettering enamel with a gray foam roller. You could brush or spray if you wanted to.	Base coat finished. I wait approximately 15 minutes. The next step is the airbrushing.
Using my Iwata Eclipse airbrush, I begin with a mixture of Ronan’s fire red lettering enamel and enamel reducer at a ratio of 40 percent paint to 60 percent reducer. I spray this on at 35 lbs. psi.	The next color is medium orange.
I allow the airbrushing to “tack-up” for about 20 minutes, and then I remove all of the masking, except for the outlines, which I will remove later. Do not leave the masking on too long. The airbrushing will bridge over the mask and will tear off when you remove the masking.	Using a #8 quill (cut down) I add a brown outline around the lettering. I left the “outline” part of the paint mask on so I only have to be concerned with the inside of the outline. When this is finished, I remove the remainder of the mask.
	The outlines are finished.

The truck is cleaned and ready for pick up.