Painting the JEEP logo

I'd like to paint the JEEP letters on the side of my CJ.....what methods have people used? Does anyone know if there are stencils or decals available? Haven't been able to find any.

 

These are for a later model but I've seen them for the earlier CJs

http://www.quadratec.com/products/55010_01XX_PG.htm

 

After trying to find stencils or decals from messaging members who made them a long time ago with no luck and searching every website I knew, I eventually attempted to free hand it. I did terrible and cleaned off the paint immediately! I made my wife who is much more patient than I, do the first coat so the edges were nice using a nice small art brush I found, then I was able to fill it in nicely.

But I tried a hard roller which looked good but not right. Same results with a stiff foam roller. Tried using a liquid masking and removing the masking on the letters which didn't work either.

Also after searching I found that they were done in the dealerships by hand either using a brush or roller so they were never perfect originally. Results may vary obviously and something else may work good for you that didn't for me. But this was my experience with it haha. Obviously I would recommend to find someone who can paint straight lines. Good luck!

 

Might try getting some self adhesive paper from a hobby shop or craft store, or even self adhesive shelf paper, then make your own stencil by printing a 1:1 scale photo, trace it on to the paper.

 

I used one of those cheap foam brushes, used fairly thick paint, and made one or two passes in each direction, and a little touch-up and clean-up...

It's not perfect, but I can't imagine the originals were either.....

You will be pretty good at it by the time you are done!

Click for a larger version....

 

Pretty sure the factory used a roller. You can see the stippling in the original paint.

This is also what the body man at the Jeep dealer would do.

 

If you can find a computer sign maker, he could cut them for you, then you could stick them on paint the Jeep part and peel them off. It work great.

 

Go buy a decal machine. My wife has one and its a handy little machine.

 

Perhaps you should make up some and sell them? Don't forget the "WILLYS" for the tailgates too!

 

I'm sure I could if I knew how to use it, thats my wife toy- not mine. She makes things all the time and sells them online, she would just have to purchase outdoor vinyl. I think I saw decals sold here: http://www.kaiserwillys.com/category/Decals_Stencils_Data_Plates_Decal

Update- My wife said as long as someone provides an image that isn't stamped with something across it, she can upload the image into her machine and cut the decal. She said outdoor vinyl is really cheap so she will order a roll this week so we ca test it out.

Stay tuned. . .

 

Success!
Found a guy on eBay selling decals for them. If I was super picky, I think I'd want the corners on the letters just slightly rounded instead of a sharp corner, but I think they look great!

 

I don't know....almost too perfect ya know? The imperfections of the rolled or handpainted just seem more "right", IMO. But hey, I'm kind of a wierdo anyway.....

 

I used a Q-Tip and had a rag ready to destroy the evidence if it didn't work. Not perfect but worked ok for me.

 

Bumping this old thread cause I gotta do this on my freshly painted tub.

I was going to take a pic, trace the letters, and laser cut a stencil out of cardboard just thick enough so only the tops of the letters protrude, and then use a roller with leftover wheel paint. Or should it be white?

And also - since my paint is fresh, should I scuff the clear coat with 600grit? Or just put the white on top?

@timgr what do you think?

 

Dunno, I've only seen it done with a roller - as above. As I recall, it's plain white.

If you use a paint that's not catalyzed, you can wipe it off with some reducer. I would try my plan without any additional prep, and then I could re-do it if it did not turn out so well.

 

I would use the wheel paint. If you use a brighter white it might draw attention to the letters as "wrong color?"

If you decide to hand paint you could get an old stamped license plate and practice on those raised letters. Not the same size but you learn the skill My second side went better than my first. You kind of get how the paint flows, how much is too much, how well does it cover...

 

Save the file so we can 3d print the stencil.

 

For sure!

 

Keep in mind not all Jeeps used white for the embossed name. A white Jeep had the embossing painted gold, same as the tailgate "4 wheel drive" stencil.
-Donny