Tailgate lettering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

OregonNed · 06-07-2016, 10:28 PM

So this is a closeup of one of my tailgate letters that was not masked very well when the previous owner painted. I'm trying to decide if and when I want to either mask properly and repaint, or cover with vinyl letters. Can anyone tell me if the vinyls fill the complete letter indentations or not? Thanks

frankslagoon · 06-08-2016, 01:03 AM

I've looked at the vinyl letters before. To me they look a little cheap. and if they start to peel that would be really cheesy. I masked and painted mine. First time at it. turned out good. I did em a couple letters at a time. I pulled the tape as soon as I could and used Q tips with mineral spirits or acetone to clean the edges.

**special-K** · 06-08-2016, 06:26 AM

Vinyl sucks. <That's an opinion. Your somewhat sloppy paint job is a step above. Vinyl is too perfect when new and a peely mess when old. They were never so perfect as they were stenciled on. If you are not concerned with all original (vinyl isn't) and want to add a nice custom detail. why not paint an outline around them (or have pinstriper do it for not very much money) for an accent? Black for bold contrast, a light blue for a blend, or silver for a trimmed look. Or, for all original, just have a sign painter go over them with their steady hand

FlameOut · 06-08-2016, 08:01 AM

I used the vinyl letters as my masking, then painted and removed the masking. Then clear coated it all. Worked out fine

In The Ten Ring · 06-08-2016, 08:10 AM

To the original poster, I wouldn't worry too much about that.......one would have to be pretty close to notice it.

When the PO of my truck had the tailgate repainted, they painter added an extra rectangle around the letters.......it doesn't look bad though.

**dennislbrooks** · 06-08-2016, 09:53 AM

Vinyl --- silver put on in 2004 and looks same as new but this is not a daily driver..

n33k0 · 06-08-2016, 11:27 AM

I have vinyl letters on my tailgate. They cover the entire flat area of the letter, and seem to be holding up well. I've had them on for two years and I can see a few cracks in the letters, but they are small and only noticeable if you have your face up against the tailgate. The truck is a daily driver, no garage, no cover. Even if it only lasts a couple years, they are dirt cheap on ebay and easy to replace. I can snap some pics later.

**jeffahart** · 06-08-2016, 12:10 PM

Someone does not know how to mask!

I put black vinyl on mine. It's not a custom paint job so no biggie for me, but it looks great; and better than no contrasting lettering for sure. I would put on the vinyl and see how it looks. It will probably cleanup most of the lines and squared off corners. You can remove if you don't like. Mine have been on for about 4 years and always outside. No issues with fading. I grabbed this pick, I don't have a close up. But you really have to look close to figure out it's vinyl.

OregonNed · 06-08-2016, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Vinyl sucks. <That's an opinion. Your somewhat sloppy paint job is a step above. Vinyl is too perfect when new and a peely mess when old. They were never so perfect as they were stenciled on. If you are not concerned with all original (vinyl isn't) and want to add a nice custom detail. why not paint an outline around them (or have pinstriper do it for not very much money) for an accent? Black for bold contrast, a light blue for a blend, or silver for a trimmed look. Or, for all original, just have a sign painter go over them with their steady hand

You know, dang! That is a great idea I did not think of... will definitely explore that. Thanks all for the suggestions! (and a chance to see your trucks!)

OregonNed · 06-08-2016, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennislbrooks

Vinyl --- silver put on in 2004 and looks same as new but this is not a daily driver..

That's a great color!

OregonNed · 07-31-2016, 11:13 PM

It's not mounted yet, but I did get the lettering outlined and shaded to match the glovebox somewhat..

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 07-31-2016, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennislbrooks

Vinyl --- silver put on in 2004 and looks same as new but this is not a daily driver..

That looks nice.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 08-01-2016, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OregonNed

It's not mounted yet, but I did get the lettering outlined and shaded to match the glovebox somewhat..

Beautiful truck Ned. Is that factory blue? What did you end up doing for your lettering?

06-07-2016, 10:28 PM	#1
OregonNed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Vancouver, Washington Posts: 1,644	Tailgate lettering So this is a closeup of one of my tailgate letters that was not masked very well when the previous owner painted. I'm trying to decide if and when I want to either mask properly and repaint, or cover with vinyl letters. Can anyone tell me if the vinyls fill the complete letter indentations or not? Thanks Attached Images __________________ 1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop

06-08-2016, 01:03 AM	#2
frankslagoon Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 537	Re: Tailgate lettering I've looked at the vinyl letters before. To me they look a little cheap. and if they start to peel that would be really cheesy. I masked and painted mine. First time at it. turned out good. I did em a couple letters at a time. I pulled the tape as soon as I could and used Q tips with mineral spirits or acetone to clean the edges. Attached Images Last edited by frankslagoon; 06-08-2016 at 01:09 AM.

06-08-2016, 06:26 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Tailgate lettering Vinyl sucks. <That's an opinion. Your somewhat sloppy paint job is a step above. Vinyl is too perfect when new and a peely mess when old. They were never so perfect as they were stenciled on. If you are not concerned with all original (vinyl isn't) and want to add a nice custom detail. why not paint an outline around them (or have pinstriper do it for not very much money) for an accent? Black for bold contrast, a light blue for a blend, or silver for a trimmed look. Or, for all original, just have a sign painter go over them with their steady hand __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

06-08-2016, 08:01 AM	#4
FlameOut Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 712	Re: Tailgate lettering I used the vinyl letters as my masking, then painted and removed the masking. Then clear coated it all. Worked out fine __________________ Bill 2004 Chevy Silverado Z71 Ext Cab 1500 1972 Chevy K-10 SOLD 1967 Chevelle SS

06-08-2016, 08:10 AM	#5
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,421	Re: Tailgate lettering To the original poster, I wouldn't worry too much about that.......one would have to be pretty close to notice it. When the PO of my truck had the tailgate repainted, they painter added an extra rectangle around the letters.......it doesn't look bad though.

06-08-2016, 09:53 AM	#6
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	Re: Tailgate lettering Vinyl --- silver put on in 2004 and looks same as new but this is not a daily driver.. Attached Images __________________ 1942 Chevy 1/2 ton Rod, 1959 GMC 1/2 ton Fleet Stepside, 1967 Chevy SWB K10, 1985 Corvette Coupe 4+3, 2015 Chevy Duramax reg cab 4WD W/T

06-08-2016, 11:27 AM	#7
n33k0 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 184	Re: Tailgate lettering I have vinyl letters on my tailgate. They cover the entire flat area of the letter, and seem to be holding up well. I've had them on for two years and I can see a few cracks in the letters, but they are small and only noticeable if you have your face up against the tailgate. The truck is a daily driver, no garage, no cover. Even if it only lasts a couple years, they are dirt cheap on ebay and easy to replace. I can snap some pics later. __________________ Nick 1972 Chevrolet C10 Stepside

06-08-2016, 12:10 PM	#8
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,885	Re: Tailgate lettering Someone does not know how to mask! I put black vinyl on mine. It's not a custom paint job so no biggie for me, but it looks great; and better than no contrasting lettering for sure. I would put on the vinyl and see how it looks. It will probably cleanup most of the lines and squared off corners. You can remove if you don't like. Mine have been on for about 4 years and always outside. No issues with fading. I grabbed this pick, I don't have a close up. But you really have to look close to figure out it's vinyl. Attached Images __________________ White K20

07-31-2016, 11:13 PM	#11
OregonNed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Vancouver, Washington Posts: 1,644	Re: Tailgate lettering It's not mounted yet, but I did get the lettering outlined and shaded to match the glovebox somewhat.. Attached Images __________________ 1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop



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