Happy New Year!
I’m considering some new detailing projects in 2011, including adding number decals to a Lionel GP7. Currently,the four indented number boards are illuminated clear plastic pieces (appx. 7/16" x 3/16"). Has anyone successfully applied number decals (white on black background) to the number boards? If so, where did you purchase the decals? (It appears the numbers should be 1/8" in height, correct?)
Thanks in advance.
In the past, I have used HO (yes HO) scale numberboard sets from MICROSCALE. They simply fit the housing better.
I haven’t done this for a while, but back in the Seventies I used to put numbers on all my Lionel diesels’ blank number boards. First I’d spray them with a light coat of Dullcote (removing them from the locomotive first, of course!). Then, after the Dullcote had dried, I’d apply the numbers one at a time, from a sheet of dry-transfer lettering. Next, I’d overspray them with Clearcote to seal the lettering.
The final step was to paint the number boards white, from behind, using a fine brush, then reinstall them. The effect was very prototypical.
All those boards that I did in the Seventies still look fine today, so I must have been doing it right.