Bumper Numbers

[wonder-weasel]

So I know that the rules for bumpers say 4" height and 1/2" stroke, but what have you guys used to put your team number on your bumpers that has worked well? We've always done some sort of paint, and I'd really like to have a cleaner look. Thanks!

[Brandon Zalinsky]

We usually print a stencil that says 1058 cut out, courtesy of our graciou sponsor, Fully-Assed Graphics. You could do the same thing with a large printer/plotter. We then spray paint the number with white fabric spray paint. Good luck!

[wonder-weasel]

Yeah, that's what we've done in the past and it just never turns out that well. I guess we just don't have good stencil/painting skills.

[Aren Siekmeier]

We usually use a stencil to mark the outline and then fill in with a paintbrush. Gives much cleaner edges (and if anyone's seen our bumper numbers, they have a lot of edges...)

[wonder-weasel]

I guess I should have cleared this up; does anyone have something OTHER than paint that works well? I really want to avoid painting the bumpers.

[rsegrest]

We have been in the same boat before. Things we tried that worked well:

If you have a local shop that does fabric screen printing (like on t-shirts) they might be willing to donate screen printing the numbers on the bumpers in return for the advertising on the bot. We did that one year and it was the best our bumpers looked . Unfortunately they went out of business so now we don't have anyone here that can do it for us.

Last year we used iron numbers (I bought out Hobby Lobby of 2's and 8's). This year we ordered iron numbers from Andy Mark http://www.andymark.com/SearchResult...ron+on+numbers
they were about the same price as Hobby Lobby just more convienient and I didn't buy them out of stock...

Good Luck!

[Jon Stratis]

Screen printing is definitely the best option, especially if you can get it donated. We've been working with the same shop since our second year, and they always look great and never come off!

[FRC BOTMOM]

You can get Vinyl numbers from the craft store in white just peel and stick for a professional finish. You may need multiple packs to get all the numbers you need. Hobby lobby has then for around $5.00. Check for coupons on line for 40% off to make them even cheaper.

[MechEng83]

The 1/2" stroke width should alleviate some of the issues teams encountered last year when the stroke width requirements were 3/4"

As a 4-digit team, this makes me happy, as we BARELY fit our numbers on the short section bumper (8 inches of frame, ~11 inches wide at outside corner)... and we have two 1's in our number!

We usually sew on our numbers, cutting them out of white fabric.

[CalTran]

Talk to some of the team moms; I'm sure there's one or two out there that are good with a sewing machine, or even by hand. Our team has our numbers cut out of white fabric, then sewn on by our Head Mentor's wife.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I know of several teams that have access to embroidery machines and have the numbers added with thread. They look very cool. I would suspect any shop that does hats could potentially do the numbers. A good choice for a new sponsor.