Using large plastic stencils for painting and flattening
Large plastic stencils can add intricate designs to your walls or other
surfaces, but getting them to lay flat and prevent paint bleeding is
key. Here's how to manage both aspects:
1. Flattening the stencil:
- Relax and Unroll:
If your stencil arrives rolled up, unroll it and let it naturally relax
and flatten out, ideally on a flat surface or under some weight (like
books or a rug) overnight.
- Warmth and Pressure:
Gentle warmth can help speed up the flattening process. You can place
the stencil in a warm room or even carefully use a hairdryer on a low
setting, moving it consistently to avoid overheating, then lay it flat
under weights.
- Reverse Roll:
If a particular area is stubbornly curled, you can try gently curling
it in the opposite direction with your fingers or rolling the stencil
tightly against the curl, securing it, and leaving it rolled up
overnight.
2. Preparing the stencil for painting:
- Secure the Stencil:
Once flat, position the stencil on your surface and secure it firmly.
Painter's tape along the outer edges is usually sufficient to prevent
movement and bleeding.
- Consider Spray Adhesive:
For intricate designs or delicate details, a repositionable spray
adhesive can provide a stronger bond and minimize paint bleeding under
the stencil.
3. Painting with a large stencil:
- Choose the Right Paint: Acrylic paints are typically recommended. Avoid watery paints and use them in thin layers to prevent bleeding.
- Offload Excess Paint:
Whether using a brush or roller, offload excess paint onto a paper
towel or paint tray ridges until the tool is almost dry to the touch.
- Proper Application:
- Rollers:
Use a small foam or low-nap roller (1/4" or smaller) for best control,
applying light to medium pressure in multiple thin coats to build color.
- Brushes:
For details and edges, use a dome-shaped stencil brush, dabbing and
swirling the paint lightly to avoid going under the stencil.
- Repeat as Needed:
For repeating patterns or multi-layered designs, carefully line up the
stencil using registration marks or overlapping elements.
- Remove the Stencil Carefully: While the paint is still slightly wet, gently pull the stencil away from the surface at an angle to avoid peeling up paint.
4. Cleaning and storing large stencils:
- Clean Immediately: Clean your stencil promptly after each use to prevent paint from drying and becoming difficult to remove.
- Softening and Peeling: For water-based paints, soaking the stencil in hot, soapy water can help soften the paint, allowing it to peel off in sheets.
- Scrubbing and Cleaning Solutions:
For stubborn paint, use a soft bristle brush and warm water and dish
soap. Acetone can be used for heavier duty cleaning (like removing dried
spray paint), but wear appropriate gloves and work in a well-ventilated
area.
- Store Flat:
Store large stencils flat, ideally indoors at room temperature and out
of direct sunlight. You can use plywood sheets or other flat surfaces
for support, especially when storing vertically. Hanging them up with a
drilled hole (ensuring enough material around the hole) can also be an
option.
Stencil Buyers Guide and Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How long will the stencil last?
A: These high quality stencils are very durable. The life of the stencil
is based on several factors including cleaning, storage and frequency
of use.
Q: How do you recommend cleaning the stencils?
A: No paint thinner is required to maintain your stencil. Do not
allow your stencils to soak in paint thinner. Our stencils are made of
Low Density Polyethylene plastic. This is a very flexible, non-hazardous,
tough and non-porous plastic. Built up paint will peel off quite easily.
Q: How should I store the stencil?
A: Stencils should be stored flat and face down at room temperature.
Be very careful handling the plastic should you need to use your
stencil in weather colder than 50 degrees. The stencils become more
stiff and brittle in cold temperatures.
Q: Do you make custom stencils?
A: Yes. Send your graphic with size requirements for a quote. Custom stencils have an approximate 1 week lead time.
Q: How do you use the handicap parking stencil?
A: Place stencil in desired location- measure and mark to ensure
that the stencil is straight, centered, etc. prior to painting. Aerosol
paint is recommended for quick and easy marking.
Q: Can I purchase material to make my own stencil?
A: Yes. You can purchase plastic sheet stencil material to make your own stencil.
Q: How quickly will my stencil ship?
A: Stencils typically ship in 1-2 business days. Custom stencils or
standard items that have to be cut require a 1 week lead time.
When buying parking lot stencils, there are (3) things to look for:
1) The material that the stencil is made from.
2) The thickness of the stencil itself.
3) The edge distance that the stencil offers. This feature is also known as "overall height".
Parking Lot Stencil Material.
The best material is our Low Density 60 mil ABS Plastic. It's the favorite material among parking lot striping companies. It’s
also very easy to clean. When you Spray the stencil, you will have a
bit of over spray on the stencil itself. Let it dry. THEN...bend the
flexible, ABS plastic stencil and the dried over spray just pops off.
OR...you can just peel it off. Now your stencil is "like new again".
Mylar versus ABS Plastic Stencils.
Mylar; 7.5 Mil, 10 Mil and 14 Mil.
1) If it's too thin, like the Mylar 7.5 it may
not stay where you need it to. The wind can blow it around, and you will
need to find a way to anchor it down.
2) When the actual paint hits the stencil, be prepared for the stencil
to "flutter" and / or simply move. It's not heavy enough to do the work.
Also, these aren't heavy enough to lay completely flat. If they're
"wavy" at all...again...they do not offer the weight needed to simply
lay flat. Paint will spray under the areas that are above the pavement
and affect the quality of your work.
The best (2) thicknesses are 60 Mil and 125 Mil.
ABS Plastic; 60 Mil and 125 Mil.
60 Mil plastic stencils; They are the most commonly ordered out of all the other plastic material offered.
125 Mil plastic is for larger stencils, and the preferred choice for professional parking lot striping companies.
Parking Lot Stencil "Edge Distance".
This feature is also known as "overall height".
Let's say the stencil is a "NO PARKING" stencil with 12" tall letters.
Let's say the "overall height" is advertised as 16".
That means there is only a 2" of over spray border above and around the
top, below and from the outside of the stencil phrase chosen.
Again...2" edge distance on top + 12" lettering + another 2" edge distance on the bottom = a 16" overall height.