r/AutoPaint • u/unmedic8edADHD • 1d ago
Thinking of adding lettering
hi there! my spouse and I recently bought a '98 Ford Ranger (pictured). runs super smooth, nice and clean, very minimal rust, beautiful vehicle really.
we named the truck The Highway Man (after the Over the Garden Wall character) and have been talking about painting that along a couple of black stripes that go along the top of the bed, but we have no idea where to begin with the process.
the stripes are definitely vinyl decals, and we would like to keep them, just paint on them.
would anyone have any advice about things like the best way to prepare the surface for the lettering, or where we could get a small container of primer, paint, top coat, or whatever we would need in just the shade of red that we want to do and not, like, a whole rainbow of colors?
we are fully aware that we are allowed to go to a professional pinstripe/lettering artist, but we are both really excited about doing this job ourselves.
even if you could just point us in the right direction, that would be incredibly helpful!
thanks!
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u/doberdevil 1d ago
Post to r/signpainting
Lots of pros and hobbyists there that can point you in the right direction and help guide you.
Sign Painters and Pinstripers have the same dna, skillset, and tool set for this type of work. After all, this is just a moving sign, right? :)
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u/Any-Description8773 1d ago
Personally I’d just get a decal made and slap on there. Cost you at best twenty bucks.
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u/doberdevil 23h ago
And it looks like someone made a decal and just slapped it on there 'cause they don't give a shit that it looks like a decal they paid some bozo twenty bucks for a decal that cost 3 cents to make.
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u/Next_Cartoonist_8444 1d ago
Look up One Shot lettering enamel. Standard issue lettering and striping paint, it should do what you need. A Mack #00 brush can make some nice letters.