Printable View
I bought a Rainshadow blank and it came with a sticky-back decal. My buddy warned me that sticky decals can pull up around the edges. It's such a nice decal with the size and weight of the rod (they gave me 2) I hate not to use one. Anyone care to cast some wisdom my way?
Thanks
On the first couple rods I built, I used the sticky decal. If you burnish it down around the edges, and seal it with rod finish, it won't peel up. Since then I've learned (LOL!!) to write he rod size/info on the rod and leave the decal off.
Hi Betty: Thanks for the input. Like I said, my buddy told me the same thing. My writing is terrible and even worse when trying to write on a round blank. LOL! Since it's just for me I'll just put my initials on it. I also thought about getting the butt cap engraved. What da ya think?
If you decide to use it, cut the edges smoothly and make sure there are no sharp corners since this is the area that usually tries to come up. You can also put a good wrapping of thread completely over the sticker for a couple of days to help set it, and use CP to seal it down. I've also put a wrap on each end of decals to match your guide wraps. I helps bring the design together, and holds the ends down at the same time.
I've gone to custom made water slide decals and get beautiful result with them. They only cost 3 or 4 dollars, and you can make them say anything you want. And with some practice, you can make the entire decal, except for the lettering completely disappear.
Engraving the butt end sounds kewl!! But with what the cost would be, a gel pen, and a spritz of workable fixative, is more within my budget!! Once you get the hang of it, the writing does improve. ol'blue is right about the sharp edges/points. Curved edges seal much smoother.
Where do you get you waterslide decal material. I also have trouble writing on a round surface and would like to be able to use the decal material so that if I screw it up, its not permanently on the rod.Quote:
Originally Posted by ol' blue
Dunfly, if you go to Hobby Lobby, in the model cars section you will find Testors decal paper that will let you make your own decals that work very nicely. It is made in clear and in white, so make sure you are getting the right thing,
One of the local builders here that does a lot of graphite told me that if you get a base coat of epoxy on the rod and let it cure before applying the decal, you won't get the peel that you are describing...couldn't tell you first hand as I use my own decals most of the time.
DLEO6446: How do you mark the decal material from Testor's? Do you use a magic marker, gel pen, felt tip pen, run it through a printer, etc.?
I run it through my injet printer. Photosmart 7350. Then after printing it, I coat it with Artists Lacquer spray to solidify the color, Let it dry then apply it to the rod...
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/...Farland020.jpg
This is what they look like before epoxy
and this is after epoxy...(showing the same font for reference only)
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/...reamRod005.jpg
dleo: Ok! Looks great!
You can order custom waterslide decals from Decal Connection if you prefer. They also offer metallic silver and gold lettering. $4/each or so.
I also use Krylon Krystal Klear for fixing the color. I've also used it over gel pen ink to keep it from being dissolved by the rod finish. I had one brand of pen that would completely dissolve into the finish and then the finish would lift off of the rod. Clear coat fixed that issue.
You can use pen and acrylic paint on the decal paper just as you would on the rod. Stay away from gel pens, etc. You might as well wrap a rag around a stick and use it :shock: . Inkjet printing on decal paper will only work on light colored blanks.
Practice...practice. Get out that pen and paint. Work on getting the right viscosity and practice writing "Custom Built by Monk", over and over. :shock:
RatherBFishin, I have been using a GEL PEN with fixative spray directly on the blank then coating with epoxy. Is GEL PEN going to be a problem later on? Why don't you use gel pens?
ksfisher - Paint pens are simply not fine enough to do the job satisfactorily. They also do not control the "flow" of paint well enough for detailed work. I suppose they are well intended for kids to write on their lunchboxes :shock:. I've seen rods completed with paint pens and find the appearance rather lacking. I wasn't joking when I said you might as well use a rag wrapped around a stick :shock:. I prefer the traditional quill pen with thinned acrylic paint. You can mix the paint to achieve any color or shade. Then again, I'm a perfectionist :wink:. That being said, I've been using Decal Connection for all my rod labeling needs since my drinking problem :oops: . My hands are not as steady as they once were :shock: . I'm sure LastChance will agree. :lol:
WOW! I didn't know you could do the waterslide decals with an inkjet printer!! That looks awesome! I'm kicking myself now because I just finished up my second rod a couple of days ago and the one thing I never like is my attempts at hand lettering. I have awful letting penmanship, which seems odd, because I CAN draw well.
I'm going to have to seriously look into the decal paper and designing my own labels. Thanks for the info.
I'll post photos of my rods (minus the terrible lettering LOL)in a new thred.
Mato! RatherBFishin' has no drinking problem. I've seen him drink and I've never seen him miss his considerably large mouth. He has no problem carrying his flask nor drinking what's in it. LOL! :)
He's right on about the decals. They're very easy to apply. LOL!
Have a good time -- EAT CAKE! :P
Don't say you weren't told! Inkjeting on decal paper will only work on light colored blanks, e.g., those glass blanks depicted above. Those of you who are infatuated with creating a "signature area" and can't write worth a lick, consider the Decal Connection.
Thanks for the info on the inkjet problem with the decals. If the decal paper was totally clear, I suppose I could trace the lettering with a crowtip pen but I'm betting I have no such luck with the CLEAR through part. LOL. The Decal Connection is looking better all of the time. I really need to get off my backside and get some labels made. My hand scratch is terrible. If I get that licked and I can feel like I can actually sell some of these things. LOL