Hi guys............. Might anyone have some tips (you guys usually have good ones) on lettering a tanker truck. (Aside from a nose plug) I was mostly concerned about getting the logo/design straight on the tank. It is not box shaped but cylindrical. (spell that right ?). Since there wont be an existing "line" on the tank how would you guys approach this......... A level ?......... what if the truck is not level......... Thanks alot . Rich
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Clothes pin for the nose. Measure up from the deck on front and bank of tank to set your level height. And I'll bet the customers company slogan readss "Number 1 in the number 2 business".
The sides were never that hard but the back end of the tank was tricky. They are round and a compound curve thrown in.
I strongly recommend you make the customer wash the truck before bringing it to you and even then it will still smell like fish.
Posted by Brian (Member # 39) on :
We have several Propane and Oil truck accounts so we have learned how to deal with the round tanks easily.
What we do is start by making a straight line to work everything from. We do this by using masking tape to make marks from the frame (or something straight) to a place on the tank side and making marks in several spots. Then using those marks we just make a straight tape line to work off of.
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
I would level it with the truck bed or decking. If it doesn't have one, try this. Get two 1x6 boards ....8 or 10 ft long, and nail them together at a right angle. Then hold this up to the tank parallel to the ground, with the inside of the right angle facing the truck ( <O ). The edges of the board will be staight with the tank, and you can mark a reference line from which all other lines can be measured.
It's the same thing as using a piece of angle iron to get a straight line on a large diameter pipe. Is my explanation too confusing? I hope not...it's really pretty simple. Posted by PaulJordan CaddService (Member # 3630) on :
And looking from outside the box.....
Who says it has to be straight?? Make it on a good angle and mebbe even curve it!! Even better, make it all upside down on one side and right side up on the other or something crazy like that.. I'd submit a sketch of the design before I did that first though.. Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
I use a piece of string Chalk line)...find the center of the tank (from end to end)and measure an equal distance from center each way.
About a foot below where you want the copy attach (or have someone hold the string)at the center of the tank. Simply swing the string up from center til it intersects your measurement...make a mark there and mark the string now... swing to the other end of the tank and do the same...you'll be so close it won't matter.
Then snap a line from point to point.
"Werks fer me it'll werk fer you"
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
I use a level, but not horizontally. Lay the level vertically against the side of the tank, get it plumb, and mark the contact point of the level. Repeat this at the other end of the tank. Use a straight edge or chaulk line to make a horizontal line.
If the truck is not level from side to side, this line may be a little above or below the actual center of the tank, but it will be paralell with the top and bottom.
BTW... This also works with cement trucks, where the tank is smaller on one end.
Posted by Robert Richards (Member # 3244) on :
Just be thankful the lettering is on the outside.
Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
NO SMOKING!!!
We call these trucks Honey Dippers.
[ February 13, 2003, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: Alan Ackerson ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
iam with monty ....find center of the circle,chalk line top to bottom, and then do same horizontally. like cuttin a pie into 4 pieces...gives you both a vertical and horizontial line to work from. sides are easy.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I've told this story before here, but since I still enjoy thinking about it, I'll tell it again.
I was working on the details for an upcoming Letterhead Meet at our new shop. I didn't want a hundred folks flushing into our septic system, so I phoned a local portable toilet outfit. They had recently been purchased by a new owner and we decided to make a trade. They wanted a new logo for their trucks and signs and portables. I told them about the caliber of designers that would be here and that might take a shot at their design needs. Soon we agreed that there would be some type of design contest for their benefit in exchange for two portables left here for the week.
The units came and were placed in position and all was well. I made a cover sheet with guidelines describing what their desires were, the shape it needed to conform to, how far it needed to be read from, etc. I got two clipboards and equipt each with a stack of blank pages and the cover sheet. Each had a string affixed to the clip and a pencil at the other end. The clipboards were then hung in the out houses.
It certainly seemed to be the fitting place for this design work to occur!
We've lettered numerous tankers for them over the years, and just this week they called to tell us of another that is coming.
Have fun lettering this honey bucket!
Posted by Rich P (Member # 1789) on :
Thanks for the suggestions they were a big help as usual........... wish me luck......
Posted by Heather Moodie (Member # 1417) on :
Rich-Poor you-a "honeywagon". I too have lettered them but it was just the doors thank heavens so it didn't take too long. Hope it's not a hot day when you do the job!!! Your post reminded me of something I saw about slogans in Signcraft a few years ago. How about "We're number one in number two." One can always find some humour in a situation.
Posted by Kristie Byrnes (Member # 3510) on :
Hey, I did one of those too. And the slogan I put on it after the name and all said: "It's a crappy job, but somebody has to do it!"
Posted by Ed Williams (Member # 846) on :
BTW......most tankers have weld lines on the sides that are level. CJ
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
. Rich
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)