Stencilling with Paint Masking Vinyl

Using GM Crafts Self Adhesive Paint Masking / Stencil

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If you have been using normal self adhesive vinyl for your stencils, you may have found the etching cream or paint has seeped under the outlines. This is because that type of vinyl needs 24-48 hours to fully cure to prevent this happening, but the effect of leaving it to cure means it is truly stuck well to the project. It can work, but takes more time and effort for a perfect project. Our especially manufactured Paint mask/Stencil vinyl makes this process a breeze. It has a removable adhesive which removes easily and leaves no sticky residue. The removable adhesive makes it more suitable for use with solvent based paints, that can sometimes weaken the adhesives used on other vinyl.

 

Method

Design and cut your stencil. When weeding your design you are needing to remove the parts where you want your medium (Etching Cream/Frosting spray/Paint etc) to be applied to. (opposite to creating a decal- and remember to leave those letter central parts in place- for example the middle of a D etc.)

Where appropriate, clean the surface to remove dirt, finger prints etc that may prevent a good adhesion (Isopropyl alcohol is ideal for this).

Remove your stencil from the backing paper and place onto your project.

If the design requires, you can use our transfer application tape to aid placement.

Smooth the stencil down with your fingers and then burnish (rub) over carefully with a squeegee, taking extra care at the cut edges so they don’t lift and the medium cannot then seep underneath the stencil.

As you lift away sections of the stencil, remove it all in the same direction which will help it all lay flat. (If needed protect / mask off, all other areas on the project to prevent any cream being accidentally spilt or dripped.)

The reusable Paint mask can also be used for this, or use newspaper and low tack tape.

Do not touch glass after cleaning, oils from your skin can prevent the medium from being applied successfully.

 

Using Etching Cream

For etching cream to work properly, the ideal temperature of your work area must be at least 70º F (21º C).

Apply the Cream thick for it to work correctly – if possible hold the project up to daylight so see if any gaps are showing and fill those in.

The cream should be thick enough so you cannot see through it and see the glass.

Leave for the amount of time stated on the Cream’s instructions and wash off with warm water. Do not rinse the project off in your kitchen sink. The etching cream may affect the surface of some sinks or damage worktops etc, this is best off in a bucket outside.

Remove the stencil and clean the glass with Isopropyl alcohol and dry with a lint free cloth.

 

Using Frosting Spray

Follow any Health & Safety advice given on the Spray Can.

Make sure all areas are covered as the air spray WILL spread. If doing outside be aware of wind, as it has been know for small particles to end up on other surfaces due to the wind- for example you don’t want a paint speckled car.

Follow the main method above and then spray the Frosting Spray as directed on the can’s instructions.  Remove stencil and leave to dry as per the drying times stated on the can.

 

Using Paint

Practice your technique first doing a test run sample on something the same or similar to what your final project will be applied to.

Use a Professional Tool, stencil brushes are round with short, stiff bristles, a sponge will work well too.

Paint stencilling is done using the dry brush technique – here’s how:

Load the paint sparingly onto a stencil brush or a sponge and dab it on a piece of paper towel. When applying the paint in the stencil, dabbing your brush is more effective than stroking the paper.

Start your painting on the edges of the stencil and, on the edges, always angle your brush in towards the middle of the stencil.

Make light and quick strokes as this will help to prevent your paint from bleeding. You’ll get better results by applying two thin coats rather than one thick one. Wait for the first to dry before applying the second. While paint is still wet, carefully peel stencil off and leave to fully dry.

Wash and store your stencil flat if you plan to reuse it.

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