Crafting
Cupboard: Place ‘n Peel Detailing
By Marci Watterson
Now
here is a craft in detailing you need not be stuck with
if you change your mind. It can also be fun, expressive
and affordable, but temporary!
Many companies detail their vehicles to catch the eye of
a potential client. Some individuals attach different
emblems, such as ribbons to support something special in
their lives.
With this craft, a little extra time and imagination
could create a wide array of symbols, sayings and images
for yourself and others.
Key
Materials: Drawing paper / sketch pad (heavy card
stock weight, so not to have any colors bleed through);
an assortment of colored Sharpie markers; scissors;
magnet sheet / sheets, (which can be found at a
Family Tree Store or A C Moore Store);
Aleene’s Tack-It over and over; MOG-POG or polyurethane
for decoupage, (which can be found at JO-ANN Fabrics
and Crafts); Something you ride or drive also.
Optional Materials: a computer; computer printer;
clip art for computers; Ink Jet Magnet Sheets, (which
can be found at SGMC); a Xyron 900 machine; Xyron
Laminate/ Magnet or Laminate/ Repositionable cartridges;
a crayon; a rolling pin; parchment paper and a can of
Pledge dusting spray.
The optional materials may become more of a key item if
you like this craft. Simply punch up a clip art item you
like on your computer, make a few adjustments, place
your ink jet printable magnet into the printer, then
print, cut and run through the Xyron 900 machine with
the cartridge of your choice.
This craft can also be done without the computer. By
gathering a few items and a little time you could have
your own one of a kind creation.
Starting
with a piece of paper, hold it firmly against a area you
wish to decorate on your vehicle, run a finger nail or
crayon along any creases on the paper. This will give
you a stencil to work with. Before you move it, mark the
different areas that you have traced and make small
arrows to indicate the top and bottom, along with the
left and right side. At a later time you may want to
mirror that stencil for the other side of your vehicle,
by flipping it over and tracing the markings.
The handmade magnet: After drawing a design onto
your stencil and coloring it in, apply a thin layer of
the polyurethane onto the backside of the drawing, (I
folded a piece of paper into a small rectangle, the size
of my finger to spread it out evenly). It may be helpful
to perform this task on a piece of parchment paper,
(it’s easier to remove later and trim any extra off).
Now place the drawing onto the canvas side of the magnet
sheet and using the side of your hand, lightly drag from
the center to the outside removing any air pockets.
Repeat this all the way around, (use a rolling pin if
your unsure of how much pressure to use), then let dry.
Once this can be handled, add a weather resistant
coating, (the polyurethane) to the top canvas side of
your creation and again let it dry. Now cut out the
design and place on a vehicle door panel of your choice.
The handmade repositionable stickers: These are
similar to the magnets but conform over rounded areas
better and are made of an adhesive. This time cover the
entire front surface of your design by spreading a thin
layer of MOG-POG / polyurethane first and letting it
dry. When completely dry, you can flip it over and apply
the Tack-It over and over in the same manner, just
thinly apply and again dry. Later you can cut out the
design and you have a place ‘n peel. The only draw back
is that these are temporary and will either need redone
or more Tack-It applied after peeling and placing
repeatedly.
Make sure to prep your vehicle: Whether waxing
your vehicle or applying a film of Pledge dusting spray,
(a form of waxing and a barrier between the vehicle and
stickers and /or magnets) you should always clean and
wax the area before an application.
Important: Wet weather and hot days can affect
stickers creating a permanently baked in creation.
Checking conditions to both the vehicle and stickers is
wise after a few hours, try peeling, peeking and
replacing your stickers. If wet weather or the heat of
the day endangers the vehicle or your creation, remove
for another time and if in doubt, stay with the magnet
form of Place ‘n Peel.
Remember to choose wisely when conveying a statement,
symbol or image!
Some fun examples:
Proud Member of the USA Carpooling Team
I’m just the chauffeur
It’s a Boy / it’s a Girl sign
Birthday Greetings
Holiday Decorations
In Memory of … and Photo
Helpful Hint: For reasonable rates and a
professional look to your work, try Groff’s Printing.
Try taking along a packet you may have just purchased of
printable magnet sheets from SGMC. Both stores
are located in Quarryville.
Photos by Marci
Watterson
Past Articles
Crafting Cupboard: Toting A Review
Crafting Cupboard: Designing on a Budget
