LT5 Lettering Refresher

[TealZR1]

Anyone have any special techniques to repaint the lettering on the LT5 besides a very small brush and steady hands? Thought about painters taping them up as close as possible, than spray painting and immediately cleaning up with a citrus wipe any overspray before drying occurred. The original enamel should not me harmed with the option.
Would like to refresh them. Thanks!
:proud:

[spork2367]

Anyone have any special techniques to repaint the lettering on the LT5 besides a very small brush and steady hands? Thought about painters taping them up as close as possible, than spray painting and immediately cleaning up with a citrus wipe any overspray before drying occurred. The original enamel should not me harmed with the option.
Would like to refresh them. Thanks!
:proud:

I thought about using my vinyl cutter to cut high temp vinyl for it. I just have to take some time and draw it up in autocad and tweak as necessary.

[B17 Crew]

What about using a liquid mask, such as what model builders use? It’s used to mask-off areas they wish to protect from overspray/paint. Liquid mask can be applied with a brush. Once its dry, spray paint letters, when painting is complete, the liquid mask just peels away.

Link to liquid mask:
https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/div/div3000.htm

B17Crew
:hello:

[WARP TEN]

As I recall, the factory just used high temp black barbeque paint. Don't know how they applied it though. Probably some sort of mask. --Bob

[GOLDCYLON]

As I recall, the factory just used high temp black barbeque paint. Don't know how they applied it though. Probably some sort of mask. --Bob



Stillwater had a masking template and literally sprayed over the letters back and forth a couple of times.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlTOfK0_INE


In the above video you can see the template which was lowered onto the top of the plenum about 3:21 and the hi temp bbq temp black paint applied

[tiegsd]

As I recall, the factory just used high temp black barbeque paint. Don't know how they applied it though. Probably some sort of mask. --BobHah! That's classic.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[TealZR1]

thanks to all who responded - will try the liquid mask.

Wonder how much that factory template would go for now?!!

[GOLDCYLON]

thanks to all who responded - will try the liquid mask.

Wonder how much that factory template would go for now?!!

Lol if it was available we could buy it and treat it like the Stanley Cup teammates do after a win. JELLO 4 Cam 32 Valves letter shooters from member to member lol. GC :)

[Paul Workman]

The mask looks interesting; might give it a try.

I found using an artist's brush and acetone (aka fingernail polish remover) was the trick (for me).

After painting the recessed cavities and before the paint completely dried, stretching an old T-shirt dampened with the polish remover over my index finger, cut a perfect line between the flat surface and the vertical edges of the letters.

By avoiding much as possible getting too much paint smeared on the flat surfaces, I was able to paint the letters easily and quickly - knowing I could cut the letters with the acetone as a last step. Forget about trying to cut the letters with a steady hand and the atrist's brush: takes FOREVER! And, it was near impossible to cut the letters cleanly. Just paint 'em and cut 'em later is the ticket!

[Bob Eyres]

Cool video, I wonder if that guy, briskly spraying those letters almost thirty years ago, could envision us old geezers today, our hands shaking, trying to paint them with a tiny brush..:rolleyes:

Here's a laugh. On the YouTube site, next to that video, check out the clips discussing the new LT5. I saw two that use a pic of "our" old four cam LT5 to stand in for a picture of the new motor.
Well, if you don't have video of the new killer DOHC engine, pull a pic of the old one out of the archives. After all, it is the best looking Chevy engine of the last fifty years..:worship:

You can bet that the new one won't look nearly as good, more like Tupperware.

[Z51JEFF]

I’ve had decals made in the past and when the time comes I’ll have a template made. Not hard to make,just find what you need or take a picture of it and have the decal business scan it,bring I up to the right size then they cut it out. The most expensive part is scanning the picture,getting it cut is the cheap part. Once the program is made you just pay for a simple copy. Last time I did this the scan was as $75.

[Bob Eyres]

Speaking of getting decals made, I got a ZR-1 Net Registry decal with my recent 2018 membership. It looks like it's supposed to be stuck on the outside of the window. I don't see how that's going to last in the Fla. sun.
Is there any way to get it reproduced in an "old school" type of decal that can be applied to the inside of the window. Like GM did with the one commemorating the record runs on my 91'?
I know this is the way most modern graphics are applied now, but I can't stand vinyl stuck on the outside of a window...[-X

[spork2367]

I’ve had decals made in the past and when the time comes I’ll have a template made. Not hard to make,just find what you need or take a picture of it and have the decal business scan it,bring I up to the right size then they cut it out. The most expensive part is scanning the picture,getting it cut is the cheap part. Once the program is made you just pay for a simple copy. Last time I did this the scan was as $75.

I have my own raster to vector software and do the scanning myself. I'll look into what vinyl will make the best template to avoid bleed through with the rough cast finish.

[G-Sting]

Stillwater had a masking template and literally sprayed over the letters back and forth a couple of times.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlTOfK0_INE


In the above video you can see the template which was lowered onto the top of the plenum about 3:21 and the hi temp bbq temp black paint applied

Interesting technique in the video. With a little effort, someone could probably make one with a 3D Printer out of about any material desired.

Ha. And I like the idea of passing it around like the Stanley Cup!

[tpepmeie]

Let me go on record by saying if someone reproduces a durable, accurate stencil for the plenum and cam covers, I'll buy a set. Tremendous time saver if someone can pull it off.

[B17 Crew]

Let me go on record by saying if someone reproduces a durable, accurate stencil for the plenum and cam covers, I'll buy a set. Tremendous time saver if someone can pull it off.

A 3D printer might be able to make a stencil a possibility...

See video at 6:04 to see an example of a 3D stencil and 6:21 for an example of what the stencil looks like printed:

Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daWjcdwzNEc


B17Crew
:hello:

[TealZR1]

Thanks Paul and all for your help for my original post. Acetone would be a good chemical to touch up around the letters before the paint dries. Another product is any good citrus cleaner to remove dry or wet paint. Citrus breaks down the paint really well. I sold industrial chemicals and that is what Delta would use for removing paint and also glue from stickers they would place on the plane.
I ordered the "mask" product and will give an update on how it works when completed.
:flag2:

[9T1 Red ZR1]

Hi,
You should ask Dempsey at Evolution Motorsports (Oracle) He powder coated my plenum and cam covers and painted the letters red and it turned out great. I don't know how he did it, but it looks nice.

Bill