I’m a decent (passable) painter, but I have always have great difficulty at first finding 4-5 point numbers for headlights, then applying them. Any suggestions?
I have been using a computer to print white numbers on black field on thin paper, then cut out and apply to headlight’s three surfaces. It is believable , but not great. I’m now modeling Erie so I need gold numbers on a red field for lower headlight number board. My hand is steady enough to paint gold frame, but not numbers…any suggestions on how to do gold frames as mine just ain’t great.
When you say headlight numbers, do you mean number board numbers?? If so, I just use the microscale decals made for exactly that application–dark or light background. They have different fonts too.
For the Berkshire I just finished up, I had decals for the headlight number boards. Actually two sizes, one suitable for the front facing number board, and an even smaller pair for the side facing number boards. I found a four digit sequence of numbers that was OK for my road. I cannot arrange single digit decals of that size by hand. I think I used a ancient Champ decal set.
I’m guessing that you’re referring to steam locomotive number boards on headlights. These are considerably smaller than those used on most diesels.
For really small numerals, you may wish to check dimensional data decals for freight or passenger cars. You may find useable number sequences or have to piece together individual numerals, but they should be readily available in gold.
As for the gold frame on the front number plate, you mention that you can do them but that they’re not that great. How about if you painted the entire number plate gold, then, after letting that paint fully harden (could take a day or two, depending on the paint) paint the number plate red. As soon as you’ve finished, wipe the still-wet red paint from the raised frame with a lint-free cloth or, even simpler, with your finger tip. That will reveal the previously painted gold edge.
I’ve made my own decals on my computer. That way, I can choose any number I like and I don’t have to piece them together digit-by-digit from a number sheet. I paint the number board white, because a normal computer printer can’t print white, and then apply the decal that has a black background to the white paint to get a white-on-black number set.
And, for small stuff like this I use a magnifying lamp. Much easier.
If you’re using a computer to print your numbers, almost any word processing application allows you to change the font size, down to 1.5 point (which you’ll need an eye loupe on your optivisor to read). You can make your own decals, even on an inkjet, with special decal paper and coating. For white numbers, just paint the number board white and leave the decal number clear on a black field.
However, many modern locomotives have black numbers on a frosted background…