Graphics update

I am sure a bucket full of patience is needed with paint or vinyl

Has anyone priced? having a stensil made?

For the retentively analitical types:
There were slight variations of the lettering stensil and the stripes between the years of 1974 and 1979. And not talking about the obvious variations like, pinstripes, stripes continuing around the transom corners, inverted stripes, etc...

For example: My '74 was re-stensiled with the stensil that was available from CC.   The letters (Ski Nautique) were not an exact presise reproduction. Even the other Al's vinyl re-pops are not presisely exact. But, other than the bottom line on the "S" being too short, they are probably so close that no judge on this earth could tell the difference. As long as you can make your arrow stripe line look straight on a curved surface.

When I re-do my stripes and letters to Kelly Green Metal Flake they will be vinyl.


I do have 1 set of single letter cut-outs for the starboard side. I might be able to assist in the making of a new stencil.

Re-stripeing/lettering does take a certain degree of having an artistic hand and a bucket full of patience.

More important than the paint/vinyl debate (to me) would be the straightness and proper location of the stripe arrow.

TRBJ, Technically, you don't inverse the graphics. Decal or stencil, you cut the same thing, you just peel out different parts, either the background for a decal or just the letters for a stencil.

Mike888 wrote: I agree that paint IS the ONLY medium our vessels should sport. However; life does not always provide what we purists want. I would love to have a gerber mask of my letters and stripes. Are you able to provide them??????? Please share your source with the rest of the interested parties on ccf.com, because I am not the only owner looking for these graphics.

If Al has the files to cut out the graphics, wouldnt it be a simple thing to cut out the inverse in a gerbermask to use as a paint template? Tracing the original graphics is the other option, as Pete pointed out. If yours are still intact (even if just ghosting remains) you can mask them off by hand using painters tape. Jeff Toro did that with his '77 Nautique and documented it here, the graphics came out awesome.

Tim D wrote: Pete, "70's/80's boats DO NOT get vinyl graphics." ?????? I guess you have never been close to a '85-'89 Ski Nautique 2001 or a Silver Nautique. They have vinyl over gel stripes. But hell, you know everything, wait, you know more than Correct Craft.

Pete should have been more specific on his year range. The last year for painted stripes/graphics on the Ski Nautique was 1984. The Barefoot Nautique was painted through '85. After that, the stripes are in the gel and the graphics are vinyl. I think the original poster has a boat older than '84 though.

Tim D wrote: Covering a mistake with sarcasm again, go to it Pete.

Sorry Tim but I do not understand your comment?? Aren't you the best at vinyl decals?

Tim D wrote: Pete, "70's/80's boats DO NOT get vinyl graphics." ?????? I guess you have never been close to a '85-'89 Ski Nautique 2001 or a Silver Nautique. They have vinyl over gel stripes. But hell, you know everything, wait, you know more than Correct Craft.

Tim,
I really apologize. I really should have looked at the year of his boat and left the "grand master of selling decals" handle the situation. go to it and sell your product!!    

Michael,
The most common method of reproducing the graphics is to trace the existing (hopefully they are still there - if not, one of our members may be able to help) with the tracing, your local vinyl shop will scan it into their computer. They will "clean up" the tracing and then from there can cut ether a positive vinyl or a negative mask. Hopefully you do the later.

There are some absolutely fantastic threads on re-painting graphics. Check out the on site search feature (advanced).

Thanks Pete, I am purchasing a 1978 Nautique that I will pick up in about 10 days. I will post photos then, I believe it is pretty original. This subject is of interest to me as the graphics need restoration and involve red, green, yellow, and blue that transition into each other.      Steve.

How about an experienced painter describing the gerber mask or equal process in some detail, thanks.

Hey charger496 and all who have been frustrated by the lack of reproducible graphics for our 1970s 1980s graphics. I have just been in touch with Al Thomas who after a long absence is back and is back with the correct size and style for our vintage vessels. He can be reached through ccf.com. or contact me and I will hook you up. I am ordering my new vinyl graphics from him and will let you all know how they go on and look as soon as I am done. Pull hard y'all.....   mike888