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Thread: Instrument panel lettering

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  1. #1
    rocketman2tm's Avatar
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    Default Instrument panel lettering

    I'm going to be painting my instrument panel when the weather outside finally warms up and I'm trying to figure out how I want to label individual switches and circuit breakers. I want something cleaner than the EAA lettering you get with their registration kit. What have you guys/girls done and would you recommend doing it again?
    John Grueter
    N188LR
    Kenosha, WI
    Series 7 Super Sport - flying!

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Instrument panel lettering

    Have artwork made (in SolidWorks or equivalent) then have a silkscreen made.
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  3. #3
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument panel lettering

    I am real happy with the labels made with a Brother Labelmaker. They stick good and never come loose, even the edges, in 5 1/2 years.
    102.jpg121.jpg
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  4. #4
    Senior Member Geowitz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument panel lettering

    I used water slide decals with a clear coat over the entire panel after they were applied. Like the decal stuff in plastic model kits that you soak in water and slide off. You can buy sheets of it that can be run through deskjet or laser printers. Just make sure you buy the correct version. Plenty of places online to get it. I bought the laser version and ran it through a color copier/printer so I could choose whatever colors I wanted. Design your labels in a word processor for size, color, font, etc and print it on regular paper first as a test to make sure everything comes out right. Then print on the water slide decal sheet. Takes patience to apply, but comes out clean and seamless especially once he clear coat is sprayed over it. Pretty simple and cheap. Even if you mess up it's easy to redo a few.
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  5. #5
    Senior Member jmodguy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument panel lettering

    I used Aircraft Engravers. Nice product.

    www.engravers.net
    Jeff
    KF 5
    340KF

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Instrument panel lettering

    Quote Originally Posted by jmodguy View Post
    I used Aircraft Engravers. Nice product.

    www.engravers.net
    Did you send them your panel? I hate painting. Wondering about powered coating the panel and then sending it to them?
    Dustin Dickerson

    Building 7ss STI x 2
    Oratex
    29" shock monster
    EP912STI 155hp
    Garmin
    N33TF......FLYING!
    N53TF......FLYING!

  7. #7
    Senior Member jmodguy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument panel lettering

    I painted my panel with Rustoleum! I had placards made. They come with double sided tape and stick on.
    Jeff
    KF 5
    340KF

  8. #8
    Senior Member bbs428's Avatar
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    Default Re: Instrument panel lettering

    Quote Originally Posted by jmodguy View Post
    I used Aircraft Engravers. Nice product.

    www.engravers.net

    Thanks for the link Jeff. I'm going to look into this.
    Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive. — Ernie Pyle

    Brett Butler
    Flying: 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul Zipper 110hp, G3x avionics, ss7 upgrades

  9. #9
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Instrument panel lettering

    These guys do a lovely job:

    https://www.fly-visuals.co.uk

    Yes, they're based in the UK but their turnaround is very quick and we had the labels back in Oz in no time at all. They look great in the RV8

    They are very thin, so they don't stick out from the panel or show white behind the sticker. That is something that would annoy me no end and I am pleased to report no aggravation of my anal retentivity

  10. #10
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Instrument panel lettering

    Anyone have experience with a company engraving after powder coating? I want to build my panel then have it powered coated and then engraved?
    Dustin Dickerson

    Building 7ss STI x 2
    Oratex
    29" shock monster
    EP912STI 155hp
    Garmin
    N33TF......FLYING!
    N53TF......FLYING!

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