anyone know where I can buy ready made color tape (for color code on track like yellow. green , etc.) I see some tracks on line that has the whole line of same color (four lanes with four different colors) was it from paint or tape? and also red/white tape on curves too.. any info would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Wes

Wes-

Try this
http://www.hoslotcarracing.com/
Click on the "track" button and scroll down to lane tape. He also has border stuff.

Jim

Let us know how the tapes work. I'm considering using the white tape along the extreme outside edges of my 4-lane track.

AfxToo,

Have you seen this article on painting lines like that?

http://www.citizensoldier.org/linepainting.html

I've seen similar articles about making a line painting jig. Mine would have to be designed to use the slots as guides because my track is flush with the surrounding surface. That's definately the look I'm trying to achieve. I thought that perhaps the white tape would be an easier alternative to painting. But I am concerned about the tape thickness interfering with the tire ride height and the sliding cars catching the edge of the tape.

I've seen similar articles about making a line painting jig. Mine would have to be designed to use the slots as guides because my track is flush with the surrounding surface. That's definately the look I'm trying to achieve. I thought that perhaps the white tape would be an easier alternative to painting. But I am concerned about the tape thickness interfering with the tire ride height and the sliding cars catching the edge of the tape.

I didnt think of that. i ll let u know about the tapes. Thanks Tjetim for the website thats what i am looking for.

Thanks
Wes

I was going to do my lane marking with tape, then I decided to do paint pens. Glad I did......

Get some Testors paint pens. Lay them along the rail, and go around the track. Yes you will get some paint on the rails......

How to get the paint off the rails? Get a single edge razor blade and stick a neo magnet to it. Scrape the paint off the rail. The magnet will pick up all the steel slivers from the rails.

Trust me, wayyyyyy easier than tape. And it looks really good. I did 3 lanes of a 40' layout very quickly. Would have been quicker had I thought of the magnet trick on the first two lanes.......doh!

I was going to do my lane marking with tape, then I decided to do paint pens. Glad I did......

Get some Testors paint pens. Lay them along the rail, and go around the track. Yes you will get some paint on the rails......

How to get the paint off the rails? Get a single edge razor blade and stick a neo magnet to it. Scrape the paint off the rail. The magnet will pick up all the steel slivers from the rails.

Trust me, wayyyyyy easier than tape. And it looks really good. I did 3 lanes of a 40' layout very quickly. Would have been quicker had I thought of the magnet trick on the first two lanes.......doh!

hmm i was thinking of that but wasnt sure. umm would you mind sending me a pic of your track with paint pens? maybe it ll help me decide?

Wes

If its tape you want to try,I suppose this would be a place to check:

http://www.tracktape.com/

I dont know,I like the idea of the paint pens myself.

Mike(ice9)

been a while since I posted a pic......hope it works....

The striping went pretty quick. Especially after the magnet trick. I'd hate to think how long tape would take.

I'm going to try FISA curbs with the paint pens next. Might be a bit trickier. May have to make a fixture to hold the pen in the right position on the track......

been a while since I posted a pic......hope it works....

The striping went pretty quick. Especially after the magnet trick. I'd hate to think how long tape would take.

I'm going to try FISA curbs with the paint pens next. Might be a bit trickier. May have to make a fixture to hold the pen in the right position on the track......


hmm not bad.. i think i m gonna try it. thanks manning .

Wes

Paint pen for sure. Did two coats, fast and easy to touch up if you need to.
:thumbsup: rr

I know track striping is a personal thing, some folks like as little as possible and some folks like their track to look like a twisted rainbow with rail to rail markings. I'm in the former category, less is better. And the closer to the slot the better too, it gives the marshalls a better target. What I've seen done many times for track striping is to just run the paint pen along the slot so you get a nice thin line on the side of the slot. Keeping the paint pen away from the rails saves you from having to scrape them later.

Here's an example of a well striped track that was done with paint pens using the slot as a guide:

thanks afxtoo and roadrner! I gotta stop by hobby store and get some paint pens. I m gonna do it this weekend. i was planning to do just one line per track not two lines..

Thanks
Wes

I like the speckled surface. A nice alternative to black and grey surfaces. A custom track router could use that stuff to make layouts that a housewife could love.

we just went to a car automotive paint shop and bought pinstripeing type it didnt take too long to do it with two people
one layed the tape while the second guy came behind and rubbed it down took us about an hour to do a four lane 35 foot 5x9 track

thanks afxtoo and roadrner! I gotta stop by hobby store and get some paint pens. I m gonna do it this weekend. i was planning to do just one line per track not two lines..

Thanks
Wes

now i got the pens and will try this weekend if i have time. thanks guys for this info. i m sure it ll look nice.

Wes

A Buegler Striping tool is the easiest and fastest way to stripe a track. With a guide arm for the slot one can stripe a lane as fast as they can move the tool around the track. Striping heads come in various widths and paint is loaded and cleaned out easily. I have done a handful of tracks with it and will not do it any other way. The only draw back I find is the curing time of the paint used.

I have a Bulger striping tool and didnt even think of using it
(already bought paint markers)
thanks
Paul

Nice to know about these options. I masked all four lanes of my 166' layout and sprayed the stripes. Parts look great, parts don't!
People ask me how hard was it to set up my track and I tell the lane stripes were the hardest. Wish I knew about Hobby Talk 3 years ago.
Jim

Nice to know about these options. I masked all four lanes of my 166' layout and sprayed the stripes.


I would have gone crazy masking a track that size. :freak: rrr

Jim - Let's see some pictures of that monster!

afxtoo-
Click on My Gallery for a couple of shots.
Jim