Decal Makers

[exeric]

This seems like the logical place for this. I want to get some decals made for Pottstown Pa. Flying Merkels. Does anyone know of a decal maker that will do short run water slide decals? I've looked on the internet and I have found a few places that make decals, and companies that sell software to make your own decals. I would love to check into the software and do it myself but I don't have a laser printer and to my knowledge, you can't get gold ink for a laser printer. The Merkel letters are gold with a red outline. For this to look right, I think it's will need to be done with a silk screen. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[RichO]

decals

I can't remember the name but I found it on the web. It's in Florida. They help you with the printer type (they sell the paper). They also will make short orders of water slides. I had a bunch done and they were great. Hope this helps some.

[t-jacobs]

Decals

Hi all,

While on the subject of decals does anyone know if anybody out there makes adheasive decals rather than water transfers. I have a 64FLH and can only find water transfers for the oil tank. ( H with checkers ) The water transfers fall apart after a few washings and I would like to find some accurate adheasive decals. Any help would be great.

Thanks

[Chris Haynes]

Hi all,

While on the subject of decals does anyone know if anybody out there makes adheasive decals rather than water transfers. I have a 64FLH and can only find water transfers for the oil tank. ( H with checkers ) The water transfers fall apart after a few washings and I would like to find some accurate adheasive decals. Any help would be great.

Thanks

Being that the originals were water transfers an adhesive decal would not be accurate. Have you tried a protective coating on your decals like the MoCo used?

[Chris Haynes]

Hi all,

While on the subject of decals does anyone know if anybody out there makes adheasive decals rather than water transfers. I have a 64FLH and can only find water transfers for the oil tank. ( H with checkers ) The water transfers fall apart after a few washings and I would like to find some accurate adheasive decals. Any help would be great.

Thanks

Being that the originals were water transfers an adhesive decal would not be accurate. Have you tried a protective coating on your decals like the MoCo used?

There are a few people who make these transfers but cannot advertise them for obvious reasons. If you were to contact one well known for making other brands of motorcycle transfers he might be able to point you in the right direction.

[t-jacobs]

Decals

Chris,

Do you know what the MOCO used as a coating ?

Thanks

[Chris Haynes]

They used a few different things over the years that are no longer available. When I had some decals made back in the 80's the decal maker included a tin of the clear coat and a brush.

[t-jacobs]

Decal Coating

Thanks Chris.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions for a clear coating over the oil tank decal?

[DaveSwanson]

Copal varnish was the medium used to protect, I believe.

http://www.jamescgroves.com/copalvarnish.htm

[Chris Haynes]

Copal varnish was the medium used to protect, I believe.

http://www.jamescgroves.com/copalvarnish.htm

In the old days, yes. These days they have something better and crystal clear. I don't know the name of it but I got a tin of it from the manufacturer when I had decals made for my shop.

[1776J]

Copal varnish was the medium used to protect, I believe.

http://www.jamescgroves.com/copalvarnish.htm

Can anyone confirm this? I was wondering the same thing regarding what varnish was used myself.
Thanks in advance.

[jondutch]

Decals

Eric... if you check the Trash and Treasures section of your latest Antique Motorcycle magazine, you'll find an ad for decals... it should answer your questions.

As for sealing decals, yes... they need to be sealed. Original decals were sealed with varnish. Most restorers, owadays, seal them under their clearcoats. Personally, I've used a 1-Shot product called "Sign Restoring Clear"... they also make a "Sign Finishing Clear". I think these work well if you're going for an "original" type of appearance. The secret is to brush the clear just slightly beyond the clear binder coat on the decal... this seals them to the surface and protects them.

As for vinyl decals... I can't imagine using them on a bike that originally had water type decals. Applied properly, water decals work very well.

[tomclay]

Well here is what I did for a 38 Knuckle. I bought a genuine water transfer and used it for a pattern and got my "decals" air brushed on. This girl was so good that if you put the decal beside the airbrush, you cannot tell the difference.
Even after it was judged 3 times they all missed it too, but judging in a whole different story that I will not discuss here.

[BNSONS]

I've got some decals I'd like to have made. Does anybody make water decals anymore? Dave

[Chris Haynes]

Yup. Let yer fingers do the walking.