control panel dry transfer lettering

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Going to use a portion of my painted hardboard fascia as a turnout control panel, but having difficulty in obtaining vinyl stick on letters & numbers in the size, color and print style I prefer. Don’t want to go with labels. So, I’m considering using dry transfers, but wondering if the transfers are too delicate for this type of use?

Thanks and regards, Peter

2

if your panel is small enough, you could print the panel on a sheet of paper and apply clear self-adhesive sheet. The lamination protects the entire panel. You then have the problem of securing the laminated sheet to your panel. Presumably panel components will hold the sheet in place, but securing on the edges may be a problem.

3

I used dry transfer numbers to label the roundhouse tracks on the fascia/control panel. I applied (by brush) a clearcoat overtop of the numbers as they are rather delicate and could otherwise be scratched away by accident. The fascia paint is a gloss green, so the gloss worked fine (use clear satin if your fascia is a satin finish, etc.)

Bill

4

Peter,

Take a look around office supply, art supply and drafting supply stores, you should be able to find what you are looking for in one of them. I use the dry transfer lettering on my Lexan plastic control panels and none have come off yet, in 25yrs. Make sure the surface is not oily, or dirty and no finger prints, when applying. And use a proper burnishing tool.

Frank

5

I used some dry transfer lettering from Walthers. It looks nice and I sprayed a couple of light coats of rattle can clear on the panel, wiping the clear off the DPDT switch handles with thinner on a q-tip. No problems.

6

I used dry rub on transfers for many years, but now I use a Brother P-Touch Labeler. They even make clear labels with white or black letters. They are faster and easier than either dry transfers or decals.

7

Thanks for the replies. I now feel confident about using the dry transfers on the control panel. Just as well as the smallest stick-on lettering & number sets to be found were 1/4" and I prefer a smaller type size for the panel.

Tom Dempsey over at Clover House replied promptly to my dry transfer email inquiry. He suggested using an acrylic clear coat to seal their line of dry transfers. Appears he has been hearing about some adverse reactions between the lettering ink and some of the current lacquer sealers.

Frank, I like your avatar with the conventional cab tractors, but miss your 50s Fords.

thanks again, Regards, Peter

8

I ended up using Clover House dry transfers on the panel, exacting work to be sure, but looks good. After applying the transfers I sealed them and the acrylic latex painted panel with a few coats of Krylon Matte Finish #1311 with no ill effects.

Thanks to all for your experienced observations and advice.

Regards, Peter

9

LION prints the entire control panel from the computer printer. That way you can mark the hole locations right on the priinted sheet before you glue it to the panel. Here is a diagram that I made for my GRS machine.

And here is the printout that I will use for the modelboard whcih will have indicator lights mounted on it.
Click on it a few times to see it in larger detail. The finished board will be 12" x 60".