Front face DIY decals advice ..

**Fivetide** · 10-06-2013

I have this idea for front plate decals on my amps. Martin will probably know what I need but I’ll throw it out there.
My first idea is to cover the front plate with a low tack tape, but I’m not sure what the best will be. I can’t use a lot of coolant although its only 3 mill ally as its going to end up machining in my bedroom ( until I find somewhere for it) lol . Then spray a coloured paint over it and after drying peel off. Not sure if it will melt the tape or rip / tear it.
Next idea would be to use the same approach but cover the face with a spray of some sort that would then wash off with water and use an oil based spray for the decals. On the pre painted Blue Red and black enclosures I’ll just etch them the silver of the alloy will be enough.
Any advice?

**cncJim** · 10-06-2013

I think your first idea might work....

Check this guy out.

CNC Software
(Vid at bottom of page)

He does pretty much the same thing, he applies self adheasive vinyl to the work piece, does the cutting, sprays the piece and then removes the vinyl. Results look really good.

He is however cutting mdf. Like you said, it may melt at slower feed speeds?

Another option that might be worth looking at are water slide decals...
Make your own water-slide decals using your inkjet printer

I have just bought some for a project but I haven't used it yet so I can't fully say if its a winner yet...

Jim

**martin54** · 11-06-2013

Low tack is possibly not the best way to go David, it would be quite easy to lift the edge of a low tack tape while machining which would then allow the paint to bleed under the tape when applied.
What you want is a removable vinyl, one that comes off clean & doesn't leave lots of glue residue behind. I would try & get some samples of Paint mask films & short term removable vinyl films. If your not using a liquid coolant then even a medium tack application tape might do, that would be the cheapest option if it worked.