Need Tailgate Letter Paint Picture Help

[67CHIP72]

I would appreciate some close up pics of painted tailgate letters. I want to paint mine white as the PO neglected to do so and want to do it as close to original as possible.

[thirdstreettito]

Does anyone make stencils that you can tape in/around them to paint them white?

[knsmodels]

I dont have a pic on this computer but it is basically the flat bottom part of the letters that are painted white......if you mask with tape and run a blade lightly along the corner that the flat and round part create you will be on the money.......

[bigdon-70blazer]

Originally Posted by knsmodels

I dont have a pic on this computer but it is basically the flat bottom part of the letters that are painted white......if you mask with tape and run a blade lightly along the corner that the flat and round part create you will be on the money.......

I may not be all there in the head but I don't understand what you mean. I will need to paint my letters back sometime soon and this would be good info for me. bigdon

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by bigdon-70blazer

I may not be all there in the head but I don't understand what you mean. I will need to paint my letters back sometime soon and this would be good info for me. bigdon

As he said, it's the base of the letter. In other words don't paint the angled part when they stamped it on the tailgate.

I did mine years ago, but I painted the letters white before I painted the whole tailgate. I taped them and then painted the tailgate. It was easier that way.

[YellowDog2]

Here's the lettering on my truck

[bigdon-70blazer]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

As he said, it's the base of the letter. In other words don't paint the angled part when they stamped it on the tailgate.

I did mine years ago, but I painted the letters white before I painted the whole tailgate. I taped them and then painted the tailgate. It was easier that way.

I got it now!

[mtdave2]

they make stickers for that too. i bought some, too bad i read it wrong, now i have stickers for a step side... a bit too small...

[gmc1969custom]

Painted back to Factory Original.

[Botietruck]

Chip, look at pic # 10 in see ten's photo gallery this week. It's the Kirk & Son green 69-70 p/u. Can't get more original than that! Good reference pic.

[Hilly]

Did they only paint them white
or did they paint them black as well.
as mine are black.

Hilly

[67dragtruck]

I had some one tell me one time that he used a vinyl kit and put them in between the base coat and clear coats and you couldn't tell it. I wouldn't think it would work like that. I have heard that they make vinyl letter kits that are supposed to look pretty good in there. I'm very interested in this as well as I want to do something with the letter on my tailgate.



Tom.

[72ironmike]

The friend that painted my truck, painted over the letters first then put the stickon letters over that and painted the entire tailgate. Then he lifted the stickon letters off and only the paint was left underneath. Looks awesome.

[tcb-1]

now that's using the old noggin. great painting tip!!

Originally Posted by 72ironmike

The friend that painted my truck, painted over the letters first then put the stickon letters over that and painted the entire tailgate. Then he lifted the stickon letters off and only the paint was left underneath. Looks awesome.

[HOTFUN]

Originally Posted by 72ironmike

The friend that painted my truck, painted over the letters first then put the stickon letters over that and painted the entire tailgate. Then he lifted the stickon letters off and only the paint was left underneath. Looks awesome.

I have done just what Mike said here but went one step further. I used basecoat paint and sprayed on the white letter band area and then lightly placed those vinyl stickers on. Next apply the body color base coat over the entire gate or vehicle. Then carefully lift off the lettering stickers and check that all the white looked good. Touch up if needed. Then prep and apply the clearcoat over the entire tailgate. This gives an awesome and durable painted finish second to none.

Of course this wont help Chip with his gate already painted but it is how a really smooth full painted gate looks the best in my opinion.

[Green Machine]

Usually painted white, except if you have the white stripe stripe down the center on a 69-72, then painted body color, all white truck would have black letters. We have done this 3 times now and always use the vinyl stick on letters, cheap and easy option. Take a small spray bottle and put one drop of dish soap in it. Flood the letter on the tailgate with the spray and apply gently. You can slide the letter around to get it centered perfectly, maybe have a helper behind to double check your work, then press it down firmly. When the water drys completely, they will not come off. My 2 cents.

[Andy4639]

I had mine painted with the grey he painted the side with and then had the pinstripper do his highlights to them.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Stepside tailgate, but vinyl letters:

[Classic69]

You can buy stickers with 3M tape on the back in "CHEVROLET" or "GMC" lettering for tailgates. I've seen them come in chrome, white, & black. I have chrome lettering on my '69.

[67CHIP72]

Thanks for all the input guys.

[VDOG]

Originally Posted by 67CHIP72

I would appreciate some close up pics of painted tailgate letters. I want to paint mine white as the PO neglected to do so and want to do it as close to original as possible.

Mine came stock no paint and not sure if im going to paint the letters.

[newbraunie]

Anyone have any tips on affixing the adhesive letters to tailgate?

[Green Machine]

I had a few tips in post 17.

[Mudder]

Anyone have any tips on affixing the adhesive letters to tailgate?

Soap water and a plastic straight edge to get the bubbles out. This lets you move them around to where you want them then use a hair dryer to set the adhesive in the stickers.

A guy here local that does cutouts said he could make em thin enough and paint over them so that noone would ever even know they are stickers.

[nds1968]

I bought the decals from The Truck Shop for like $8 or something. I lightly scuffed the surface then I used a decal spray or you can use soapy water to line them up and work the bubbles out. I let it set over night then I wet sanded the tailgate and cleared the entire thing. I didn't scuff or sand the decals. It looks great and you can't tell its a decal.