Painting letters on Name Plate
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=141767
Printed Date: 20 Jul 2025 at 1:08am
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Topic: Painting letters on Name Plate
Posted By: Ranse
Subject: Painting letters on Name Plate
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 8:48pm
| What's the best way for painting the embossed letters on the aluminum name plate that goes on the side of the hood? I've been wanting to do the ones for my D10. I've been practicing some using painter's tape and cutting out letters with an exact-o knife. So far my edges don't look very neat when I peel the tape (especially the "S"). Do I need to try harder or is there a better way? |
Replies:
Posted By: JarrodACFan
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 9:31pm
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I don't know whether or not it would work for your situation or not, but I have used a small children's paintbrush for that kind of stuff before. A really small horsehair brush would work too. I just take plenty of time and do it by hand. Have some Q-tips and a jar of paint thinner nearby in case you get off of your line. ------------- 1956 WD45 Narrow Front Factory Power Steering, 1953 WD Wide Front Allis Express in Muncie, IN |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 6:36am
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hmm.... are they 'raised' or 'sunken' letters? If raised, a steady hand is needed and do 2 LIGHT coats of somewhat 'thick'( not runny) paint. If sunken, paint them without worry, then when DRY, sand the plate to remove the excess paint off the raised 'background', giving you 'brushed' aluminum. other possible options.... have a sign shop make 'masks' to protect the none painted parts... have a sign painter do the work... It may be cheaper in the long run to have a sign painter do it. Well worth the coins AND it saves you a LOT of time, better spent in the field, turning wrenches instead of making a mess, going through gallons of varsol and cussing about 'there has to be a better way'....arrrrrgh.. Jay ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: Gordy
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 6:45am
I used the masking and xacto knife, paint the black then tape and cut out the letters then paint creme  ------------- “If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough” |
Posted By: JoeO(CMO)
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 8:13am
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I watched a fellow service man down the hall doing a model plane. He used Scotch Brand tape, seals better , no bleeding. It looked excellent he finished. Of course, he was meticulous in every thing he did. ------------- |
Posted By: Clay
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 9:02am
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I have toyed with the idea of painting the name plate with the lighter color paint first. After drying, lightly scuff the surface, of the area to be painted black, with a 7447 Scotch Brite pad or very fine sand paper. This could be done by placing the sanding material on a flat surface and carefully dragging the plate over it. Next step would be to prepare a pre-washed flannel cloth (do not use fabric softener). The cloth should be longer and wider than the name plate. Saturate the flannel cloth with black paint. A foam roller will help spread the paint and remove any bubbles. With very steady hands, place the name plate (face down) onto the paint impregnated cloth. Carefully remove the plate. DO NOT turn the plate over or tilt the name plate because the paint might run. After the paint has had an opportunity to get somewhat solid, inspect and give a second coat. I have not tried this method but think it might work.
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Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 5:11pm
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I guess it depends how good you want it to look? I did a IH logo emblem for the TD6 recently and painted the background by hand with a small brush. Took about a half hour. Its not perfect, but the emblem wasn't in great shape to start, so its good enough for me and this old tractor. Here is a look at it. I know its the wrong brand!:) In this case the background needed painted, so maybe easier then painting the Allis letters? Before:  After:  Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: CrestonM
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 6:50pm
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Like Jarrod said, I too have used a child's brush. I took some sharp scissors and cut the brush so it had a point to it, then painted the "Ford" script on my 8N's hood. It did take a while but it turned out pretty good I think. For you application I'd say keep trying to mask it with something and cut out the letters.
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Posted By: JayD-17(NY)
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 8:31pm
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I always painted those emblems starting with the cream background first then for the raised lettering , I simply did those by hand with a paint marker. Slow and steady is the key......I wouldn't say my method produced perfect results either, but unless you get right up to it and stare at it for a while at I eye level, will you start to notice a little goof, or over-run here and there. I painted a McCormick emblem once too, similar to the one pictured above. I used the black paint marker again and carefully traced around the raised letters......If any paint bled over onto a letter, I just kept paper towels and q-tips soaked in mineral spirits handy, and the black would wipe back off easily.
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Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 8:47pm
| Another way would be to paint the whole thing the correct main color, then scuff up just the letters, a little. THen take a roller with the thinnest nap you can find to roll the letter color on... |
Posted By: HudCo
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 11:32pm
| mines hand painted but i taped off what stayed shiney and painted the creme with paint gun then hand painted the letters with a fine sable brush and a larger one |
Posted By: Ranse
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 7:51am
| It seems the consensus is leaning toward hand painting. I'm starting to believe that may be the best way. I'm going to spray paint the cream for sure. It gets pretty hot on the muffler side, so should you use a heat resistant paint? It may not be necessary, and I may eventually put some kind of heat shield material inside the hood. Thanks Ranse |
Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 8:08am
Looks excellent! |
Sugarmaker wrote:Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 8:18am
Your D17 looks great! Reminds me of ours when we were kids (1970-1975). My brother & I planted lots of winter wheat with one like it. Dad's D17(series 2 I think?) pulled a 10' AC disk & JD 12' grain drill. We planted fields in a continuous inward (square circle?) pattern. |