Home
Tech Tips
Links

Decal Tech Tips 
Four Common Types of Decals

  • Varnish Type
  • Dry Fix
  • Peel and Stick
  • Water Slide

Many decal manufacturers are now reverting to the varnish style decal that was originally used on most British motorcycles. Below are instructions on how to apply these decals. They are easy to recognize as the image is reversed as you are looking at it. Gold size is obtainable at art supply stores; it is used as adhesive for gold leaf. These decals are supposedly better in the long run than either the vinyl decals such as are currently available for the Norton gastanks with the peel and stick cut out letters, or the mylar self adhesive modern type. You may also run into the other decals noted below. One word of warning: New Old Stock Decals, although interesting souvenirs, are in all probablility completely dried out.

VARNISH TYPE

The transfers are printed on duplex paper, i.e., one sheet as a guide to place the transfer in position, and the other as a support to the transfer. These two sheets must be separated before transferring. They can be divided by rubbing a corner of the transfer.

Before complete separation is made apply a very thin and even coat of adhesive varnish to the face of the transfer. Keep as closely as possible to the lines of the design so as not to overlap. Allow this varnish to set until it becomes very tacky and then place the transfer in the required position on the article.

Press the transfer down evenly and firmly, and drive out all air bubbles, by rubbing with a soft cloth rolled into a ball, commencing from the center and working towards the edges. Then with a damp (not wet) sponge or washleather press down again, taking care not to shift the transfer. It is absolutely essential that the transfer should be in direct contact with the surface in every part. When this is certain apply water freely by means of a wet sponge, and when the paper support is well soaked, lift it up by one corner and peel or slide it off. Then press the transfer down again to make sure it is fully in contact.

After doing this, sponge with clean water in order to remove the composition remaining on the surface of the transfer. This is an extremely important detail, as unless it is properly done the transfer will crack.

To remove traces of superfluous adhesive varnish around the transfer, use a wet sponge to which has been added a little paraffin. Then quickly wipe it off with a damp washleather, away from the center.

When the transfer is perfectly dry on the article, (usually about twenty-four hours), it can be varnished to add to it's lustre. It must NOT be varnished directly it is transferred.

 

DRY FIX

Peel off the thin backing paper. Apply the sticky side to surface and rub down, giving extra pressure to the end from which the backing paper will be peeled. Leave for ten seconds, peel off backing paper gently. Rub down again for maximum adhesion. For extra protection the decals may be clearcoated.

 

PEEL AND STICK

Remove backing paper, position transfer and rub down. This is the diecut vinyl type used for Norton tank and side covers.

 

WATER SLIDE

Soak transfer in water for not more than thirty seconds. When decal comes free, slide it off into position. Press down well, wiping gently from the center outwards to squeeze out surplus water and air bubbles. Leave at least twenty-four hours to dry and clearcoat if required. With water slide decals you get a bit of a second chance to correct mistakes.

 

 

Thank you for reading this page & we look forward to doing business with you.

Sterling MotorWorks
Mount Sterling, Ohio 43143-1288
info@sterlingmotorworks.com
 740-248-16
fax (US & Canada) 800-708-1370
Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 PM EST  

 

Site Powered By
    BizStudio Site Manager
    Online web site design