Can a panel be silk-screened without being removed?

[luv2flypilot]

My avionics panel has been already installed and was professionally wired and silk-screened. I now want to make a change that would require adding additional silk-screening for a new switch. Does anyone have any recommendations for adding a small amount of silk-screen labeling to match all the existing without having to remove the panel? I guess an option would be to use clear label tape, but I am sure it would not look as nice as all the other labeling that is silk-screened.

Thanks,
__________________
Bryon Graves
Discovery Bay, CA
RV-7A, N507RV

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by luv2flypilot

Does anyone have any recommendations for adding a small amount of silk-screen labeling to match all the existing without having to remove the panel?
Thanks,
__________________
Bryon Graves
Discovery Bay, CA
RV-7A, N507RV

I recommend contacting the folks who did it in the first place.

[luv2flypilot]

Originally Posted by Mike S

I recommend contacting the folks who did it in the first place.

Unfortunately Mike they went under..... My panel was completed by Accuracy Avionics and luckily I was able to get the panel before the Bankruptcy locked the doors with my panel in it. I had to have the panel finished by someone else (at my expense) but it could have been worse. I did a little research and found this place that carries water slide decals (such that are used on models, etc)

http://www.papilio.com/laser%20w...l%20paper.html

I ordered a few sheets and will do some testing to see how well they hold up on metal once applied with a little clear UV-Resistant acrylic lightly added with a Q-Tip or better yet a small artist brush to make them a bit more durable and to protect it from UVs.

https://texascraft.com/hps/product.p...cat=328&page=1

Luckily I have only a small amount of relabeling for an additional switch I am going to add to disconnect the cross-filling of the flight plan data from my 430W to the 496. I found later that when you are not using the 430W for navigating, which seems to be quit often when flying VFR, that it eliminates quit a few options from the 496 (such as activating direct to an airport with the 496).

Anybody have any experience using the water slide decals and how well they worked and are holding up?

Thanks,
__________________
Bryon Graves
Discovery Bay, CA
RV-7A, N507RV

[MrNomad]

Marilyn at Aerographics made some very nice labels for me.

[David-aviator]

I checked myself out on silk screening several years ago, made my own screens and practiced until it worked out OK.

You need a flat area to hold the screen above and over whatever needs printing. If there is an instrument or anything protruding from the panel in the immediate area, I don't see how you could do it.

It would not work but I say that only from my perspective of having done it by hand. There may be other techniques that would work.

[luv2flypilot]

Originally Posted by MrNomad

Marilyn at Aerographics made some very nice labels for me.

Barry, were they clear with black labeling? I actually just received a package from Aerographics today that consisted of my shadowed N number decals. I am looking for something that will match my existing silk-screening without sticking out like a soar thumb.

Thanks,
__________________
Bryon Graves
Discovery Bay, CA
RV-7A, N507RV

[longranger]

Check out this article. It's been around a long time, but may still be applicable.

http://www.eaa1000.av.org/newsletr/9902nltr.htm#decals

[rvmills]

Here's a thought...though it may be a lot of effort for a small amount of lettering.

Background: After powder-coating my panel overlays, we had a local engraver laser-etch the lettering for all of my labels. The etching was done through blue tape, and after etching, we taped off the rest of the panel pieces and used black spray-paint to fill in the etched letters. After that, removed the tape, and the etched letters were black.

Perhaps you could have an engraver do the same (in a matching font) for the label(s) you want to add, through the same type of tape onto some scrap AL (it was like painter's blue masking tape, but might be some special engraver's stuff). Then you could carefully remove the tape, toss the AL and place the tape as a stencil on your panel in the right spot. Tape and paper the rest of the panel, and then airbrush, or carefully spray through this "stencil" of sorts.

Like I said, a lot of work for a label or two, but it might get you the desired result. Would depend on the engraver's ability to match the font and size and finding a paint color match, and some caution to avoid bleeding of the paint.

A local engraver that you can work/adjust details with would be best, but I'm over the hills in Reno, and can ask my engraver about the feasibility, if you're interested.

Cheers,
Bob

[luv2flypilot]

Originally Posted by longranger

Check out this article. It's been around a long time, but may still be applicable.

http://www.eaa1000.av.org/newsletr/9902nltr.htm#decals

Thanks Miles, great article. I will give it a shot...

[luv2flypilot]

Originally Posted by rvmills

Here's a thought...though it may be a lot of effort for a small amount of lettering.

Background: After powder-coating my panel overlays, we had a local engraver laser-etch the lettering for all of my labels. The etching was done through blue tape, and after etching, we taped off the rest of the panel pieces and used black spray-paint to fill in the etched letters. After that, removed the tape, and the etched letters were black.

Perhaps you could have an engraver do the same (in a matching font) for the label(s) you want to add, through the same type of tape onto some scrap AL (it was like painter's blue masking tape, but might be some special engraver's stuff). Then you could carefully remove the tape, toss the AL and place the tape as a stencil on your panel in the right spot. Tape and paper the rest of the panel, and then airbrush, or carefully spray through this "stencil" of sorts.

Like I said, a lot of work for a label or two, but it might get you the desired result. Would depend on the engraver's ability to match the font and size and finding a paint color match, and some caution to avoid bleeding of the paint.

A local engraver that you can work/adjust details with would be best, but I'm over the hills in Reno, and can ask my engraver about the feasibility, if you're interested.

Cheers,
Bob

That would likely work well if as you indicated an engraver can make a stencil for the labeling I need. I appreciate the offer Bob. If your engraver thinks he can do something like this let me know and I can send him the details on the font and size I need, it will likely match the rest of my silk-screening nicely. The water slide decals may not look quit a nice depending if the clear can be seen on my light gray powder coated panel inserts and when a clear acrylic is put on to protect it, that may even make it more obvious with a shinny finish.

Thanks,