And now - it's restoration corner with 'lil Crevie. Today - Decals!!! YAY!

[crevicetool]

When I started work on the Mobile-Speed, I knew I had to do something about the "decal" that was on the face of the machine. But, long before that - I knew that when it came time to restoring a Lewyt Big-Wheel, or any number of machines that have decals on them, there had to be a way of duplicating them. Well, I've found it. I've included a link below. The stuff works great! If you are resourceful, and can find in a print ad (or make your own stuff) and print it on an ink-jet printer, the possibilities are endless!!!

This is the front of the Westy. You can see that the lettering etc., it a bit torn up and faded.

http://www.beldecal.com/inkjet_decals.cfm

 

[crevicetool]

This is the paper as it comes from the distributor. I was slightly upset, they packed it in a USPS envelope, and the post person folded it to get it in my mailbox.

 

[kenkart]

Good Grief!!!!

I would have kept that thing if I even thought it could have been revived like that!!!! you did a fantastic job and im glad you got those machines!!

 

[electrolux~137]

Great tip! Now, "inquiring minds want to know" -- where did you find the exact, correct logo??

 

[crevicetool]

You create your decal by any means. For instance, I drew and then scanned the bold lines surrounding the name Westinghouse. The lettering for the "Westinghouse" was a font called Magneto. I would have loved to re-create the lettering exactly, but just couldn't find a font. I'm sure there are people smarter than I am that could have done it better. I like what I chose though.

 

[crevicetool]

This part was a challenge. How to duplicate the pattern on the lower part of the name plate? While passing the sandpaper isle to but the copper paint. I spied this drywall sanding mesh....I spray painted it black, cut it to shape, and viola'!

 

[crevicetool]

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[crevicetool]

Lucy go play.....I'm busy!

 

[crevicetool]

After making several practice prints on paper to adjust the size, darkness, etc., I printed it onto the real paper.

 

[crevicetool]

This is the face plate painted back to copper, and the decal being sprayed with four heavy coats of clear top coat. If you don't completely seal the printing, it WILL come off when you dip the paper in water. I let it dry for two days. The directions say 3-4 hours.

 

[crevicetool]

Then, just like when you were a kid, and your building your 1/32Th scale model of an International Harvester 1966 A-1100 pick-up truck model, you dip the decal in water, slide it off the paper, and carefully stick it on the object. You squeeze the air bubbles out from center to the ends.

 

[crevicetool]

It's supposed to dry for four hours.

 

[crevicetool]

So, while it dries...

I'll post some "before" pics...

 

[crevicetool]

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[crevicetool]

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[crevicetool]

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[crevicetool]

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[crevicetool]

Ok....so I turn around a half hour later, and the decal has completely removed itself from the name plate and is lying curled up next to it!!!! The directions say it will still to ceramic, paper, wood, SOAP,...a whole bunch of things. Why not paint? Oh well, luckily - I had some spray adhesive. I think I will just let the decal dry on a piece of waxed-paper next time and move right to this step. That way I know it's permanent!!!

 

[luxg]

It's great that you are sharing this with us Rick. Trying to recreate the original script for machines has been next to impossible until now.

I can tell you all too that Lucy is a doll!!!! Don't you just love those eyes?

Terry