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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: minho on Wed, 30 April 2014, 06:40:53

Title: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: minho on Wed, 30 April 2014, 06:40:53
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to create stencils for spray painting? I'm interested in replicating logos/various designs to be spray painted on my keyboard, and I don't want to rely on my ****ty cutting skills and some masking tape.
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 30 April 2014, 07:41:23
A sign shop can generally cut adhesive masks but it will get expensive very quickly.

The cut and frisket technique is the only way to get a good result in small areas - paint will run under your mask if it is not stuck down.
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 30 April 2014, 07:50:27
Find a picture of what you want to spray paint and print that out. Tape that picture to a sheet of sturdy cardstock or a flyer with a heavier paperweight. Then use a knife and cut along the picture, removing the parts you want to show up. Cut hard enough to cut through both papers. When you're done, remove the piece of paper and you should have your stencil.

I've done this on some furniture and took pictures of the process, but the site I posted pictures to is blocked at work. If you remind me, I can post the link here later.
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 30 April 2014, 08:18:09
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 30 April 2014, 07:50:27

Cut hard enough to cut through both papers. When you're done, remove the piece of paper and you should have your stencil.


This works pretty well down to elements of only a few mm, if you are careful, working on flat surfaces, and do not need sharp edges.

If you need interior voids, you will still need to mask with something adhesive.
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 30 April 2014, 08:25:08
But you can still make the outline then mask off what you want later. I think it's a good start.

You're right though. The shape I made was relatively simple, it was the StarCraft 2 Terran Logo.

(http://i.imgur.com/JGaThc2.jpg)
From here (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55577.msg1279782#msg1279782)
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: minho on Wed, 30 April 2014, 18:32:42
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 30 April 2014, 08:25:08
But you can still make the outline then mask off what you want later. I think it's a good start.

You're right though. The shape I made was relatively simple, it was the StarCraft 2 Terran Logo.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/JGaThc2.jpg)

From here (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55577.msg1279782#msg1279782)

Your bottom stencil looks a lot nicer than the top one. I'm assuming you just smoothed out the bits you didn't like from trial one and then redid it?
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 30 April 2014, 18:35:59
I actually forgot to keep the unit flat so I sprayed it and then tipped it up a bit. And yes I did tweak it a little. My post on the stencil can be found here on TeamLiquid (http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/362323-terran-stencil).
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: minho on Wed, 30 April 2014, 21:42:57
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Wed, 30 April 2014, 18:35:59
I actually forgot to keep the unit flat so I sprayed it and then tipped it up a bit. And yes I did tweak it a little. My post on the stencil can be found here on TeamLiquid (http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/362323-terran-stencil).

Ohh I see. Thanks for the link.
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: handystack on Thu, 01 May 2014, 01:51:27
To get sharp edges, I suggest making your stencils out of a plastic transparency film and using a removable spray-on adhesive to really stick the stencil to the object you are marking. I get transparencies printed up at my local print shop for stencils. If you need designs that can't be done with stencils, you might consider silkscreening - it really isn't that hard. Post pics when you are done!
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: HipsterPunks on Thu, 01 May 2014, 04:20:25
I swear by card stock and exactoknife you'll ruin the stencil after a few sprays. After cutting the stencil spray the underside with hairspray and stick it the surface. Spray paint and remove  :thumb:
Title: Re: Stencils for spray painting
Post by: minho on Thu, 01 May 2014, 17:57:18
Quote from: HipsterPunks on Thu, 01 May 2014, 04:20:25
I swear by card stock and exactoknife you'll ruin the stencil after a few sprays. After cutting the stencil spray the underside with hairspray and stick it the surface. Spray paint and remove  :thumb:

Will the hairspray leave any stains?

My current plan is to first sand the case, completely paint over it with one color and let it dry, then put on the stencil and spray paint a different color and finally cover it all with some clear coat finish.