Joined: Jun 09, 2011 Posts: 776 Location: Bellmore, NY
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 1:43 am Post subject: How sharp were the stencils
that were applied to the original military jeeps? They're a bit tricky to work with, as far as the lettering coming out perfect. Even being slow and meticulous, I have a bit of sharpening up to do. i can't imagine that the GIs in the field were nearly as patient. _________________ 1952 M38A1
Marine core reinforced rear bumper, military transistorized turn signal upgrade, arctic heater, 11" drum brakes, 200L PTO winch, Huffy overdrive, deep water fording kit, RT 68 vehicle mounted radio, Trac Locs front and rear.
www.danhenk.com
Joined: Jun 09, 2011 Posts: 776 Location: Bellmore, NY
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:27 am Post subject:
They look pretty sharp, but the photographs are pretty small. . i did a Google image search for a good half hour before I posted, and all I saw wee very clean restored collector M38A1s.
Did the Marine corps have the under the hood warning stencil, or the dash max speed stencil? _________________ 1952 M38A1
Marine core reinforced rear bumper, military transistorized turn signal upgrade, arctic heater, 11" drum brakes, 200L PTO winch, Huffy overdrive, deep water fording kit, RT 68 vehicle mounted radio, Trac Locs front and rear.
www.danhenk.com
The Marines rarely put anything on the jeep other than the hood number. The only time a unit emblem was used was when more than one Marine division was in the same theater at the same time.
Folks tend to over state the sloppyness of Military labor and painting. Most grunts did the best they could do with what they had. The stencils I saw personnally from 1966 thru 1989 were very well done, sharp and nice edges. Having used those stencils myself in the military on aircraft they came out looking very sharp and well edged.
Research the earlier editions of the MVPA magazines and the Military Vehicle Magazine and you will find a well done article on the US Marine Corps vehicle markings. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
The army stenciling from my time in Vietnam weren't anything to write home about, they were just stencils like you'd use on shipping crates - today's stenciling for restored vehicle are likely better then most motor pool work you would have seen. I used really nice stick-on/peel-off ones which gave a nice finished look, but I warn you, have 2 or 3 sets of hands to get them on - once stuck they are on - you can't move them. Take your time and make sure you mask EVERYTHING you don't want white paint on - it will find a way to get in any little crack. Also on my son-in-law's MB we had to do an emergency engine removal and reinstall just before a show - we thought we got the greasy finger prints cleaned on the bumper - not so, in places the cured white paint came off when we peeled the stencil off. Even the best job you might need to touch up with a art brush and a steady hand. Another thing - if I do it again I think I'll use a small foam roller rather then spray.
Joined: May 14, 2012 Posts: 150 Location: Milford CT
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 6:27 pm Post subject: Proper technique
Although it was not my primary job, proper stenciling was considered necessary, as the weapons left with fresh numbers. Use of a stenciling BRUSH is the best technique!
MANY articles on Google, just enter 'stencil brush technique', and you will be quite pleased with the results. Primary rule is 'just a little paint, many times over'! _________________ "Frugality keeps me in the Game"
1952 M38 Project "Lazarus"
1951(?) M100 Trailer
1956-60 USAF Special Weapons Program
http://www.bill-capes.com/insanity - Updated 04/26/14
Joined: Dec 15, 2012 Posts: 37 Location: franklin,pa.16323
Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:40 am Post subject:
I would just like to say when I repainted my jeep I ask as many x military guys as I could as to how stencils were applied, all of them pretty much gave the same answer, they cut out stencils by hand from what ever material was available to them at the time. Any over spray , if they even had air spray equipment, was touched up by hand with a brush. They all told me the stars were to always be as close to perfect as possible, as this was the U.S. symbol. The numbers on my jeep are not real numbers as they are my Dad's military ID, his first unit and his rank at retire, but that's what I wanted. I have been to many car shows and have been told by many that even thou looking close, you can see brush marks around my letters , numbers , & stars this was how they really looked. So as I see it, its all in what you want, I drive my jeep in memory & honor, of my dad and for all military personal , past & present . Right or wrong it is mine and I'm happy with it. So I would say make it the way you want it. Just my 2 cents worth!!!!! Bruce
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