etching vs decal

swimsfast99 · 31-July-06, 10:54 AM

In my next window I am going to be using a hawk design. Now which would look better. The decal version which is the outline in black, or a etch (laser or hand not sure yet) which is the grey one?

Hak Foo · 31-July-06, 02:06 PM

What I'd try (get a piece of scrap plexi for this)

Get some easily picked-off paint, like that craft-store acrylic stuff (ceramcoat or apple barrel), and paint a mask in. Or use very narrow masking tape.

Sand the whole area-- the masking will protect the area you don't want damaged.

Scrape away the paint with a fingernail.

Viola.

I used the "sanding as etching" approach to do large shaded areas in an etch.

swimsfast99 · 31-July-06, 03:40 PM

well there is that (taping off and sand papering) or using a dremel. I can do either and have already done a dremel etch before. I was just wondering mainly peoples opinion on etching vs using a decal.

chapper · 31-July-06, 04:08 PM

If you have a steady hand, mainly because of the thin curves; and can get an even look in the large areas, I definitely would go for the DIY etching.
Otherwise I REALLY like the masking/sanding technique, recommended above.
GL & let us know how it goes.

Dreyco · 31-July-06, 05:39 PM

Where can you get coustom decals? I really want some for my bike...

Grumblestiltskin · 31-July-06, 05:46 PM

there is etch look vinyl...

swimsfast99 · 31-July-06, 09:47 PM

dreyco: check out this post by zapblam that is what I would do for a decal. not sure if you were kidding or not

grumble: if i wanted a perfect look etch I would get it lasered probably instead of going through the trouble of getting a decal which looks like an etch and then trying to apply it straight.

Dreyco · 31-July-06, 11:25 PM

No I wasnt kidding. Can you buy sheets of bumper sticker type stuff to cut out yourself somewhere?

Mod_Man_1 · 01-August-06, 04:01 PM

I voted for laser etch for 2 reasons. First, I liked the graphic for the etch better and secondly because I have a VersaLaser and I can do that image up to 12"X16"...

View Poll Results: Which should I go with
Decal	2	50.00%
Etch (laser so not my work)	1	25.00%
Etch (done by hand so it will be all my work not just my money)	1	25.00%
Voters: 4. You may not vote on this poll

31-July-06, 02:06 PM		#2 (permalink)
Hak Foo Apex Elite Tech	Re: etching vs decal What I'd try (get a piece of scrap plexi for this) Get some easily picked-off paint, like that craft-store acrylic stuff (ceramcoat or apple barrel), and paint a mask in. Or use very narrow masking tape. Sand the whole area-- the masking will protect the area you don't want damaged. Scrape away the paint with a fingernail. Viola. I used the "sanding as etching" approach to do large shaded areas in an etch.

31-July-06, 03:40 PM		#3 (permalink)
swimsfast99 Apex Master Tech Apprentice	Re: etching vs decal well there is that (taping off and sand papering) or using a dremel. I can do either and have already done a dremel etch before. I was just wondering mainly peoples opinion on etching vs using a decal.

31-July-06, 04:08 PM		#4 (permalink)
chapper Apex Advanced Techie	Re: etching vs decal If you have a steady hand, mainly because of the thin curves; and can get an even look in the large areas, I definitely would go for the DIY etching. Otherwise I REALLY like the masking/sanding technique, recommended above. GL & let us know how it goes.

31-July-06, 05:39 PM		#5 (permalink)
Dreyco PCApex's Mac Man	Re: etching vs decal Where can you get coustom decals? I really want some for my bike...

31-July-06, 05:46 PM		#6 (permalink)
Grumblestiltskin Custom Grille Guru	Re: etching vs decal there is etch look vinyl...

31-July-06, 09:47 PM		#7 (permalink)
swimsfast99 Apex Master Tech Apprentice	Re: etching vs decal dreyco: check out this post by zapblam that is what I would do for a decal. not sure if you were kidding or not grumble: if i wanted a perfect look etch I would get it lasered probably instead of going through the trouble of getting a decal which looks like an etch and then trying to apply it straight.

31-July-06, 11:25 PM		#8 (permalink)
Dreyco PCApex's Mac Man	Re: etching vs decal No I wasnt kidding. Can you buy sheets of bumper sticker type stuff to cut out yourself somewhere?

01-August-06, 04:01 PM		#9 (permalink)
Mod_Man_1 Apex Advanced Techie	Re: etching vs decal I voted for laser etch for 2 reasons. First, I liked the graphic for the etch better and secondly because I have a VersaLaser and I can do that image up to 12"X16"...

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