Thoughts and help with a exterior finish idea.

[elmo]

I suggest using photo shop, paint shop pro, or your favorite package, and mocking up the concept digitally before you commit any epoxy to the idea... It would shed a lot of light on the subject.

Mike...

I wish I had a favorite package Mike!

I guess there is no time like the present to learn. Anyone have a favorite photo shop or simular program they use? Something very simple.

[mikeschn]

Can anyone tell me if GIMP is any good... is it hard to learn?

Mike...

[toypusher]

Can anyone tell me if GIMP is any good... is it hard to learn?

Mike...

Mike,

The GIMP is on par with PhotoShop It may even be a bit more confusing to the uniniated!! I have used it on my Linux machines for quite awhile and find the PhotoShop is easier, but the GIMP is just a powerful.

As far as easy, the only one that I can really think of is PhotoDeluxe from Adobe. I have used several versions (not for about 3 or 4 years now though) and found it pretty easy to learn and use. The best part is that if you then move up to PhotoShop, everything works.

[jdarkoregon]

Elmo, I'm all for your idea!!!!!!!!!!!!! Years ago we had a tent trailer that we started putting bumper stickers on the back end. Eventually we had nearly a hundred back there, people used to pull up behind us and read them then when they passed, there was always a honk or thumbs up from them.

Maybe you could ENLARGE some of those post cards and pictures (Poster size or larger)

Do it up , like you said, you can always cover it if you don't like,

Have fun

John

[Outlaw]

Elmer, food for thought . . .

A good friend of mine owns a sign shop and he does vehicle wraps with his format printer. If you're not familiar with the process, you've probably seen buses and company vehicles with full color logos/photographs printed on them for advertising. This artwork is actually printed on vinyl and then applied directly to the vehicle. It will last five years of longer without fading or peeling if applied correctly (exception, desert climate of course). You could design your artwork in photoshop, then take your data file to a sign shop in your area to be printed and/or applied.

The beauty of this process is that you can easily remove the vinyl with a heat gun and a little patience when it wears out or you decide to change your theme. You'll definatly want to shop prices as some shops will charge through the nose. Also, you must make sure that the shop laminates what they print or it will fade in no time. Have fun with your design. Use all the photos/text/colors/background textures you wish, the printer will print them. One final note, use only hi resolution photos/images when doing your design. If not, when your design is enlarged for printing, your photos will have jagged edges and will not be clear (pixelated). I hope this makes sense. Good luck with your project, it's a fantastic idea

[rudeboysaude]

We've got a small vinyl cutter and at one time I thought about laying vinyl over the entire tear. The only problem I saw was that you'd have to have a pretty nice surface to begin with for it to look nice and adhere well. I'd think in order for a sign shop to give any sort of garuntee that it will last for the moola you're shelling out they'd be pretty particular about what they are applying it to. Cars have a nice smooth surface that works great, but wooden tears might be different. I think vehicle wraps are pretty pricey too, but it definatly would look cool if it all came together. I watched a video online of the process once, kinda interesting. It can be seen here:

http://www.oracal.com/global/CF_video.jsp

Congrats on thinking outside the box though and getting artistic with your project!

A.

[elmo]

I still like my idea and just trying to figure out the details. I am not sure about how it would turn out myself and Ira may be right for a change, but I would only have to deal with it for one year and then next winter put the aluminum on it. It is cold around here and I need the cold weather projects anyway.

We have a couple of the cars around here in vinyl, mostly the sub sandwich places. I think that would be more than I want to spend, but they do look pretty cool and I think would work best on a metal painted surface.

Now the hard part of gathering the right things to put on. If anyone one has a cool picture of their TD in front of some old building or their vintage car....or etc...and wouldn't mind it stuck on the side of someone elses TD PM me the pictures please. I have been searching for the old post cards on ebay.

The bad thing is I need this thing done by mid April and I am just getting creative now. I guess I will see if I can bring this together in the next couple of days...if not go get some Petit or bed liner and do the whole thing that way.

P.S. Photoshop isn't my friend.

[Ira]

My main point is that a TD and its lines are cool and attention-grabbing enough:

Anything you slop on there isn't gonna add to that--it's going to take AWAY.