I’m designing my HO scale steam era control panel. I intend to have a black background with the track deliniated with different colored tape 1/8 inch wide; e.g. yellow for double track main line, blue for yard, red for engine facility, green for sidings, orange for spurs, and white for other…Can some tell me where to get all these different colored vinyl tape?
thanks
Try your local auto supply place. What you’re describing is called “pinstriping tape.” They might not have all the colors you want, but they have some variety of widths and colors. It’s self-sticking and relatively cheap stuff.
I use it on my panels. For the panels themselves, I bought a 4x8 sheet of plasticized Masonite from the big-box building supply place. It’s used for lining bathroom showers. Again, it’s relatively inexpensive - about $8 for what will probably be a lifetime supply. It also comes in many colors, some of which are pretty revolting, but Martha Stewart likes them all.
Pep Boys is one source. Another source is eBay.
Pep Boys will have blue, red and white. eBay sellers will have orange and yellow.
Not sure about green.
Also, Google “automotive pinstriping tape” for sources.
Rich
Another way to accomplish what you are trying to do is to design the layout diagram in Power Point (or some equivalent drawing software), print it on high quality photo paper, and mount it under Lexan.
Rich
An art or drafting supply store might sell Chartpak brand tape also, although it might be hard to find now that everyone is drawing on CAD.
I built two panels for a friend’s layout, but all of the lines are one color.
I painted the board white, then sliced masking tape into 1/8-inch-wide strips, laid out the track schematic and sprayed over the white with a contrasting color - green in this case.
You could do the same thing in different colors, but it would take a bit of planning to get the colors in the right spots.
Cheaper than buying a bunch of pinstripe tape though, and probably more durable.
Eric
Hobby Shops that carry R/C model airplane items will also have striping tape in various color and various widths. It works best on a glossy surface.
If you live in Canada, go to Canadian Tire. In the isle with the automotive paint etc. you will find a variety of Pin Stripping tape. Other automotive parts supply stores also stock it.
Dusty
Eric makes an excellent point – assuming normal use of this panel the types of tape mentioned above are likely to not be very long lasting. A covering of some sort is one idea but it should not be too difficult to pre-plan what colors go where and use any kind of tape as pure masking tape. You may already have the color spray paints you need already in the house.
And don’t go too nuts with colors. Main lines in one color and everything else in a contrasting color should be enough.
Dave Nelson