Making water transfer decals permanent

I understand that there is no real "sticky" side to vintage water transfer decals so you can put them on the inside of the glass looking out... right?

OK, once you do that, what can you do to keep them from tearing or rubbing off when you clean your windows, or bump into them?

 

I've heard clear nail polish works, but never tried it. I don't know how it would affect the decal...

...so basically I should have kept my mouth shut...

 

Why not just cut out some clear packing tape and apply over the decal.

 

because it may not be wide enough and i think it would eventually peel up... but a possibility.

 

How about clear contact paper then?

 

My old former WAC aunt had some military decals on the inside window of her '56 Bel-Air.
She masked off an area slightly larger than the decals and shot it with a clear, shellac.
Lasted forever.

G.

 

There is a product called Clear Shield made by Clear Star Coatings Corp. I've used over wide format prints. It is waterbased and does'nt cause the prints to smear like mineral spirit based products. It has UV inhibitors and is abrasion and chemical resistant. I buy it in a can and it can be applied by brush, roller or sprayed. As mentioned before, you could mask it a 1/16" to a 1/8" outside your decal and brush, roll or spray a coat or two.

Hope this helps.

 

Clear nail polish works just fine if the transfer itself is in good condition. I hesitantly put it on an original Roth water transfer and it has looked and held up great since. As with paint though be sure to apply it thin, or it will run like hell.

 

airbrush frisket. Cut out a piece larger than the decal, apply, and trim with an xacto knife. It's heavy duty. Just vinyl really. I have some on my Marilyn Monroe guitar that I put on when my arm started rubbing off the paint. It has held up well for the last 15 years. The tattoo guitar has some on it as well.

 

I had a 50's or early 60's mallory water slide decal, when I tried to use it, it fell apart when water touched it

 

Traditional way is to use size or varnish .Don't use anything with cellulose in it.Most Brit motorcycle people use wood varnish............Marq

 

what's "size"?? For us yanks...

 

size is a transfer glue like they use for doing gold leaf...one shot makes a brush on clear that the put over gold leaf that would probably work.

 

GO to the nearest hobby shop and get some Solviset decal setting solution, Walter part #904-470

 

Nail Polish Has been used in the Telecom industry (long time) for the labeling the Racks and shelf locations for components.

I can see it now... a bunch of "Greasy Guys" buying up all the nail polish...!!!

 

No no no!

Wath are you doooing hello! With your complethion you shoudlnt go with that shade. I would rethcommend a lighter, warmer tone to compliment your eyeths and your methican blanket interior. oh my god, isth that waxth in your hair! someone get me a champagne and a latte-mocha, thith guy needs a makeover!

Danny

 

Clear nail polish........but make sure you let the layers dry all the way before painting a second coat.

Chris Nelson
Kansas

 

Here's another one of those weird time warp posts. I'm thinking Hellfish probably found the answer by now since he originally posted in June.

 

I'm glad it time warped. I had the same question in my head.

 

LOL!!!

I had no idea you were such an expert! Or such a sumthin' else... I won't go there

 

i went with the clear shellac. It worked ok, but kiinda foggy. I think it was too cold when I sprayed, or the humidity was higher than i thought. It was on a vent window, so I just masked off and sprayed the whole window... now I'm going to go back and scrape it all off except for the sticker.

 

hahaha... I think you do that a "Little Too Well"...!!!!

 

Testor model paints makes a clear decal adhesive for making your own decals at home on a printer. Try that

 

hey guys,

you've found me out, I think its time I came out. Ok, here goes, I did at some stage watch Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

And I enjoyed it.

The shame the shame!

Danny

 

queer eye for the straight decal?

 

Great Topic, Wish it had come up earlier.. I lost a 7 color old school oval track decal because it started falling apart 15 minutes after it dried, (If anyone has a shangri la speedway sticker lemme know) I have a bunch of vintage oval track decals... And am looking for more from the western PA WV area.. If anyone has a lead on anything let me know... I do have a couple extras, and might bring them to a sticker maker and have them repopped as regualr stickes...

 

It takes a special printer to print water slide decals. On deskjets and laser printers the color will wash right off. The one made by ALPS is the best. It has a wax based ribbon cartridge system. You can pring gold andsilver foils, WHITE, metallics, etc. You can get an ALPS 5000 the last one made for around $350. Ribbons ar expensive, but the results are awsome!!

Glenn