
Here are some simple steps and instructions for storm drain stenciling:
1) Get permission from your city public works office, town officials or business owners in private parking lots before stenciling storm drains. 2) Gather all supplies needed for the project including:
a. Your choice of
Stencil Ease storm drain stencil templatesb. Marking paints or a good non-spray alternative like our
one-shot ink rollers. (Inks come in black, white, red, orange, yellow, green and blue cartridges) Marking paints should be fast-drying, acrylic and used inverted (spray with can upside down) Some brands are Krylon, Rust-Oleum, Emedcoc. Tools to clean the drain area before stenciling like wire brushes, brooms, etc.d. Map of storm drain areas from public works department or town water companye.
Stencil Adhesive Spray to keep stencil securely in place while using ink roller or spray can. If it is windy, you may want additional tape to hold the stencil in place while applying paint. f. Pieces of cardboard to practice stenciling on before application. (cardboard can also be used to transport a wet stencil) This will ensure that you are applying the right amount of paint. Many first time stencilers will use too much ink or paint on the roller (the same with spray paints). Less paint/ink is better and will look better overall. You are much better off with one light coat, let it dry and then apply a second coat to darken paint or ink if needed.
3) Make sure you do the stenciling project on a sunny, dry day between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure the surface you are stenciling has been swept clean with a brush or broom or even cleaned with a wire brush for hard to remove dirts, oils, tars, etc. Pick up any trash in the area around the drain.4) Place stencil on surface (you may want to use the
stencil adhesive spray on the back of the stencil first) and make sure this is where you want the lettering and image to go. Apply spray paint or ink roller. Remember Less paint/ink is better and will look better overall. You are much better off with one light coat, let it dry and then apply a second coat to darken paint or ink if needed5) After storm drain stencil is completed, lift stencil off surface and place wet stencil in between two sheets of cardboard to carry to next drain. It is OK to let the paint or ink dry completely on the stencil. Most paints can flake off by rolling the stencil after they have completely dried. The inks will not build up on the stencil as thick as acrylic paints and can handle more applications. If you still wish to clean the stencil after multiple ink applications, try anything from simple green to solvent-based cleaners.
All of the Stencil Ease storm drain stencils can be made from 10 mil mylar plastic or our new 40 mil Ultra Flex plastic. 10 mil is our standard heavy duty reusable plastic and 40 mil Ultra Flex is our new industrial grade, super-duty reusable material.
Here is some more detail and illustrations of storm drain stenciling. http://www.stencilease.com/stormdrainstencils.htm
For the full line up of storm drain options see here - http://www.stencilease.com/db/index.asp?catagory=Storm%20Drain