How to make those crazy 70/80's truck paint schemes

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Showcase has two versions of the Ford CLT9000. These trucks were seen everywhere in the US from the 70's until the late 90's. One of the distinctive things that sets trucks apart in this era is the colorful paint schemes used by owner/operators:

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/archer/ra_can_am_ford_clt9000.jpg

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/mike_boyd/2009/04-10/elliss_trucking_ford_clt9000_ok_city_ok_12-08.html

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/loeb/ford_clt_9000_1_1984.jpg

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/bullnoze/ford_coes/ford_clt_9000_brown_reefer.jpg

Although not as colorful, this company also has special paint from each manufacturer:
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/dmckenzie/2013/02-28/dg-dm/4x6/scan010.html

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/dmckenzie/2013/02-28/dg-dm/4x6/scan044.html
A Freightliner with curves.

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/dmckenzie/2013/02-28/dg-dm/4x6/scan043.html
GM cab has lots of angles and lines.

So a few questions... how do I paint these intricate schemes? There is a lot of masking involved. Does anyone know if any Micro scale decals would work for such schemes? I would like to do one in dark blue, light blue and white and another in tan, gold and brown.

Crazy paint on trucks seem to be missing on a lot of models I see.

[peteski]

I lot of these are too fine to be able to mask (in N scale).  If produced by model companies this could be easily done with Tampo printing, or even ink-jet (like the one MT used to decorate their recent releases).  A method I'm not a fan off because of the relatively low-res and very visible surface texture.

For individual modeler, custom-printed decal would probably be the best way to go. Get yourself an Alps printer (while they are still few old ones kicking around) and start making your own artwork. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

For individual modeler, custom-printed decal would probably be the best way to go. Get yourself an Alps printer (while they are still few old ones kicking around) and start making your own artwork. 

Alternately, maybe try cutting the patterns out with some trim film?

[Santa Fe Guy]

Boy that's a neat idea but a tough one to pull off me thinks.
Maybe peruse the Micro Scale decals available to see if any grab your attention. Who knows might just find something that can be used.
Might have to give this idea some thought myself.
Good hunting.
Rod.

[Missaberoad]

http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60-281&Store_Code=MD&search=tractor&offset=&filter_cat=&PowerSearch_Begin_Only=&sort=&range_low=&range_high=

Out of stock but its What you want....

Lots of trailer sets have striping that could be repurposed... or perhaps Transition era locomotive schemes....

[nkalanaga]

I've used locomotive striping for trucks before.  Works fine, and can be cut and spliced at any angle to get fancier schemes.