Roof and Other Large Decals and Signs

I would like to identify the rolling mill on my layout with a sign on its roof. The chances of my being able to letter or paint anything legible are just about zip. Does anyone have any insight into the decals (or other signage) that might be available for that purpose? As always, thanks. Hal

 

Just a suggestion: I have a few signs that are nothing more than Avery labels on a laser printer. Would this work? There are some companies that sell detailed and large sign structures, such as Blair Line.

 

Steve -- I guess I am looking for a very large scale set of decal letters -- maybe as much as two or three inches high -- that I could decal right to the "metal" roof then weather over. Hal

 

Larger scale decals, such as O or G might work...

 

That was one of my thoughts.

 

Hal:

Bar Mills and Blauir Lines sell decaled billboards sign.

You can also do a Google search for signs in different scales and then download and print them on a printer.


Stay cool an run steam......

 

How about stencils? You could dry brush the letters, making a faded paint effect from the start.

Don't forget dry transfers. My hobby shop has a book of them on the counter.

 

I would mosey on down to Michael's or A.C. Moore. They have letters and stencils in all sizes (except N) and some really large ones.

 

Good ideas, all. I think I'll make a run by Michael's on the way home tonight.

Thanks, guys.

 

One other thought is to pruchase some vinyl stick on letters. Paint the roof the color you want the letters to be. You can even weather the base paint. Stick on the vinyl letters, in the configuration you want, then paint over the entire roof, covering the vinyl letters. When everything is dry, remove the stick on letters and you have a "painted" sign on the roof or structure. The under-coat of paint will have been protected, where the stick on letters were. An over coat of weathering will tie it all together.

Eric

 

Russ Clover of Cloverhouse www.cloverhouse.com sells dry transfer lettering up to 1/4" high in many fonts and colors. Quarter inch high letters in N scale are 3ft. 4 in. prototype letters.

 

Eric -- Very clever. "Reverse lettering"! Thanks, Hal

 

I have done the reverse lettering technique to replicate some of the old white lettered signs on a black background seen on many New England area factories. The secret is that the black "background" is painted over the white. This allows for faded, painted letters, with no decal film in the n scale mortar lines.

Just make sure the base color is really dry, so it does not lift off with the adhesive letters. A little is alright, as on my masonry buildings, the base brick color shows through, adding to the weathered look. It would probably look like peeled paint on the metal roof you are contemplating. Have fun.

Eric