Bills72sj Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 I was in my garage at home and found this nice, thin aluminum duct. I remembered I have a collection of various license plate decals and I thought They would be great as wall art in my garage diorama. I went through all the steps to make them realistic as possible by even rounding off all the corners. Now if only I had a laser to make the holes........... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Those look great! Another nifty idea for me to "borrow"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vamach1 Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Hmmm very cool idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambles Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldiablo78 Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 very nice job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 I can see a possibility of using these on a model, too. A tiny twist drill might work for the holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 Flashing? Looks good. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 24, 2020 Share Posted June 24, 2020 On 6/6/2020 at 10:23 PM, Bucky said: Those look great! Another nifty idea for me to "borrow"! X2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sty57 Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 Ive done this and used a Beer or soda can for the aluminum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills72sj Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 12 hours ago, Sty57 said: Ive done this and used a Beer or soda can for the aluminum. Good idea, the metal I used is slightly thicker and not curved as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBLNG Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 On 6/6/2020 at 9:03 PM, Bills72sj said: I was in my garage at home and found this nice, thin aluminum duct. I remembered I have a collection of various license plate decals and I thought They would be great as wall art in my garage diorama. I went through all the steps to make them realistic as possible by even rounding off all the corners. Now if only I had a laser to make the holes........... Terrific idea! I almost never use the kit decals on the models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuilderX Posted October 4, 2020 Share Posted October 4, 2020 Thanks for this tip! For yrs I have had a thin sheet of aluminum. now I know what to do with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills72sj Posted October 5, 2020 Author Share Posted October 5, 2020 On 10/3/2020 at 7:14 AM, NOBLNG said: On 6/6/2020 at 7:03 PM, Bills72sj said: Terrific idea! I almost never use the kit decals on the models. 12 hours ago, BuilderX said: Thanks for this tip! For yrs I have had a thin sheet of aluminum. now I know what to do with it! Glad I could help inspire you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteski Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Flashing seems a bit thick for this task. Soda can aluminum is good, but must be straightened. I would get some cheap disposable aluminum roasting pans or cookie sheets from a dollar store (or supermarket). Then cut them up and just use the flat pieces of aluminum. To me that would be the right thickens for license plates, and it is easy to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 I generally just leave them on the backing paper, and finish the edge with paint, at least for models with the plates seated against the body work. I think flashing would work just fine, if it was hanging out on a bracket, and the back is visible. Once its protective coating is sanded off, it's plenty thin! The best thing about using metal, is that it can be bent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills72sj Posted November 3, 2020 Author Share Posted November 3, 2020 6 hours ago, Straightliner59 said: I generally just leave them on the backing paper, and finish the edge with paint, at least for models with the plates seated against the body work. I think flashing would work just fine, if it was hanging out on a bracket, and the back is visible. Once its protective coating is sanded off, it's plenty thin! The best thing about using metal, is that it can be bent. Bent and straightened. One of the reasons I chose it was for the reflectivity of the metal through the the transparent decals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 4 minutes ago, Bills72sj said: and straightened That, too! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 Where did you get the aluminum foil that would travel through the Laser? printer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills72sj Posted November 17, 2020 Author Share Posted November 17, 2020 10 hours ago, Bob Ellis said: Where did you get the aluminum foil that would travel through the Laser? printer? That is not how these were made. It is inkjet printed water slide decal PAPER applied to sheet aluminum then cut and filed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 12 hours ago, Bills72sj said: That is not how these were made. It is inkjet printed water slide decal PAPER applied to sheet aluminum then cut and filed. i get it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills72sj Posted December 2, 2021 Author Share Posted December 2, 2021 I have acquired some more license plate decals from some recent builds. I needed a couple for my extended flatbed WIP. So I made another batch. While I was at it I finally added the vanity plates for 3 of my Challengers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChopSauce Posted December 6, 2021 Share Posted December 6, 2021 On 11/3/2020 at 7:07 AM, Bills72sj said: Bent and straightened. One of the reasons I chose it was for the reflectivity of the metal through the the transparent decals. Perfect idea! I need to do that as soon as possible... 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar Muscle Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Very nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Po Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 When I need to make license plates for my builds, I use the foil (lead/aluminum?) that seals the neck of wine bottles - the ones with corks, not the screw caps. It is nice and thin and very malleable. I simply soak it in lacquer thinner to remove the outside paint and then apply the license plate using white glue or canopy glue. Sometimes I will substitute and use double sided tape to secure the plate. By using this method, it gives me the option of making the plate look untouched or I can damage it by slightly bending and twisting the foil. Also, I go online and use Acme License Maker to make personalized plates. I copy the original plate and then reduce that by 50% and then reduce that again by 50% and that gives me a plate suitable for 1/24 and 1/25. Now you have a reason to have a glass wine while you are building that next masterpiece. Enjoy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89AKurt Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 I've done that! But I prefer using newspaper printing plate, which is thinner and easier to cut. I also use my state's MVD (or DMV) website to custom make my plates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.