Painting a world map on my black powder coated aluminum boxes

any ideas on best way to do this?

i know... vanity...

You could possibly project the image from your computer or on an overhead and then trace it on thick paper. Cut the continent images out and use the pattern to spray paint or brush paint the continents onto the box.

I hope this makes sense.

Not a bad idea! Thanks!

I'm sure I've seen something on Overhaulin or a similar programme, where the required image is traced onto tracing paper, (grease proof paper for cooking is a good substitute) then the outline of the traced image is followed around with a tool similar to a pastry cutter, only it has pins or raised spikes, which will leave the outline with tiny holes in it. I guess this could be done by hand using a pin?
The image is then transferred using chalk powder, when the tracing paper is removed you should have your required image laid out in a series of dots.

Perhaps another possible method would be good old fashioned carbon paper.

I wonder if you could get that either laser etched or engraved into the box.
What about a cut vinyl sticker?

Vinyl

Yep. Mine are vinyl.

Vinyl! Sweet! Where do I get those!?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&vxp=mtr&item=251203821318

Those are pretty sweet. I'm a KLR guy, though. Just can't find it in me to drop $50.

Really do appreciate you showing me these, though!

Don't think those stickies will stick to a milk crate. Look around in your area for a sign shop. Lots of places do custom cut vinyl, but it might be close to 50.00 for that. Look at RV suppliers for stickers too. Just not sure if they would have one the shows all of the continents.

Suck it up and pay the man the $50.00

Send me the files size, and I'll cut them on a CNC vinyl cutter for the price of the vinyl (less than $5) and postage.

Do you do vector art?

... Some basics (just in case)

Send the size of the file in bytes (so you don't overload him with data) before you send the file .. and then only send it once you have permission to send it.

Umm better explain vector - raster.... (simple terms)

Raster is what you get with a photo (.jpeg etc) - each pixel is described in the file.

Vector describes each line - start point, end point, color, width, transparency etc. Much easier for a computer to cut to. .ps (post script) is one type.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Blank_maps#World

http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/PN-050-0800/World-Map-pannier-decal-BLACK

$21 seems fair.

Only one flaw in this otherwise cunning plan, the dudes gonna need two of them which is $42.40, plus I'm guessing p+p, so it's nearer the $50 anyway.

If a person had a "negative" of the graphics, meaning- the material to make up that which surrounds the graphic instead of the interior of it, one could stick the negative image on there in heavy vinyl, and then dust it with a sand blaster to "etch" the imagine onto your pannniers.... then it would be subtle but permanent.

Just thinking outside the box, or, uhhh, pannier

Saw guys do that on glass in the 1970's....

Like this?

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=852375

With your powers combined!! I form Captain Planet, on a box!!!

Sqt, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Donno how you came across that that, but(those images) the WORLD is now MINE!

Unstable, I am taking your experiences in life, and putting them to experienced operators, and then.... TO GRAPHICAL USE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Totally doing this!!!!!!!!!.......... When I make my ammo can pannier setup........

Seriously though, thanks for these!
~Junior