chans formers
04-15-2010, 10:41 PM
this is for the guys pm'ing me on how to use "vinyl".it's pretty simple to do so i'll keep it simple.
vinly is available in many different sizes and colors.it can be found at most plastics suppliers and guaranteed to be at your local sign shop.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl002.jpg
tools you will need=
vinyl
sharp exacto-blade or olfa knife
toothpick
hairdryer(or a handheld torch if you're confident with small tools)
cardboard for a cutting surface(once you get used to this you shouldn't really need the cardboard,but while you're learning,it's better than cutting on wifeys coffee table.)
let's get started shall we?
our sacrificial lamb today will be the main bot from the gobots "puzzler" combiner.say you want new metallic blue windows.take your metallic blue vinyl and lightly draw with an ink pen the general shape of the window you want to cover.keep in mind you want to make it a bit bigger than the actual window.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl006.jpg
now cut out the shape you just drew and lightly place it on the window area.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl008.jpg
starting from the very center(up and down/left and right),rub your finger outwards towards the window sides.(keep care not to press down the vinyl that goes "past" the actual window line)
once you've done that,take the toothpick and run it in the grooves of the window.this will help it "sit" into place.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl009.jpg
once you sit all the edges down,this is where the heat comes into play.take your hair dryer and heat up the whole area until the vinyl slightly "curls" on it's own.it shouldn't take too long for that to happen.now, while the area is still warm(not hot!!!) to the touch,go over the entire window once again with your fingers and the toothpick in the edges.this is to help activate the glue in the vinyl and it also helps it "conform" to the shape and curvature of what ever you're working on.
once that's done,start trimming the vinyl with your blade,following the recessed areas/grooves in the window.if the vinyl is bunching up as you cut it,replace or snap off your blade so that it's fresh.the most important part here is a "sharp" blade.you should only have to literally "glide" over the vinyl and it should be cut.as you do more,you'll start to learn how "deep" you should cut.different vinyls= different cutting pressure.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl011.jpg
on areas where the vinyl goes past the part,you can run the blade flat and parallel against it,and you should get a ultra clean cut.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl012.jpg
once all has been trimmed,go over your edges again with both the fingers and heat.
congradulations,you now have a shiny new metallic blue windshield.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl013.jpg
vinly is available in many different sizes and colors.it can be found at most plastics suppliers and guaranteed to be at your local sign shop.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl002.jpg
tools you will need=
vinyl
sharp exacto-blade or olfa knife
toothpick
hairdryer(or a handheld torch if you're confident with small tools)
cardboard for a cutting surface(once you get used to this you shouldn't really need the cardboard,but while you're learning,it's better than cutting on wifeys coffee table.)
let's get started shall we?
our sacrificial lamb today will be the main bot from the gobots "puzzler" combiner.say you want new metallic blue windows.take your metallic blue vinyl and lightly draw with an ink pen the general shape of the window you want to cover.keep in mind you want to make it a bit bigger than the actual window.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl006.jpg
now cut out the shape you just drew and lightly place it on the window area.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl008.jpg
starting from the very center(up and down/left and right),rub your finger outwards towards the window sides.(keep care not to press down the vinyl that goes "past" the actual window line)
once you've done that,take the toothpick and run it in the grooves of the window.this will help it "sit" into place.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl009.jpg
once you sit all the edges down,this is where the heat comes into play.take your hair dryer and heat up the whole area until the vinyl slightly "curls" on it's own.it shouldn't take too long for that to happen.now, while the area is still warm(not hot!!!) to the touch,go over the entire window once again with your fingers and the toothpick in the edges.this is to help activate the glue in the vinyl and it also helps it "conform" to the shape and curvature of what ever you're working on.
once that's done,start trimming the vinyl with your blade,following the recessed areas/grooves in the window.if the vinyl is bunching up as you cut it,replace or snap off your blade so that it's fresh.the most important part here is a "sharp" blade.you should only have to literally "glide" over the vinyl and it should be cut.as you do more,you'll start to learn how "deep" you should cut.different vinyls= different cutting pressure.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl011.jpg
on areas where the vinyl goes past the part,you can run the blade flat and parallel against it,and you should get a ultra clean cut.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl012.jpg
once all has been trimmed,go over your edges again with both the fingers and heat.
congradulations,you now have a shiny new metallic blue windshield.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/vinyl013.jpg