Decal adventures. Post 'em here.
11-06-12, 07:17 PM
#51
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In defense of modern decal makers, its nearly impossible to create an accurate copy unless you have the original right in your hands. And even then, how much time can you afford to spend? Build all the letters to be exact because there's no font that matches?
For all the old bikes in the world that need new decals, that's pretty impossible. Personally, I'm pretty thankful for what we can get this days.
For all the old bikes in the world that need new decals, that's pretty impossible. Personally, I'm pretty thankful for what we can get this days.
11-06-12, 07:33 PM
#52
Chainstay Brake Mafia
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^ I agree to some extent.. a lot depends on the quality of the source image. even the quick job i did on the Reynolds logo was visibly off.. though much better than the jagged edges of the purchased decal
11-06-12, 08:03 PM
#53
Senior Member
Great comparison shots. Thx! If you want to let that extra set of stripes go...LMK?
11-06-12, 08:44 PM
#54
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Greg Softly is great to deal with, when he wants to. He corrected two seat tube decals. Also got some Raleigh decals from him too. I just wish he could have responded on the differences on the stripes. I bet I send the pics to JR and they get done right.
11-06-12, 10:41 PM
#55
Aluminium Crusader :-)
We're obviously so lucky that we can buy pretty much anything these days on the 'net. 'Back in my day', it was virtually impossible to get stuff, especially tubing decals. About 20 years ago, I paid 40 bucks for some black market SLX decals, then put them on my 531c Raleigh, after it was resprayed. 
About 12 years ago, I decided I could make my own decals on Adobe, so I did. I took me AGES, and they're still not 100% accurate. The biggest problem was that the adhesive sheets I printed them on wasn't weather proof, so I covered them with clear 'Contact' plastic that kids used to put on their school books. However, this still wasn't enough to protect them when they got very wet, so I printed lots of them, and simply put on a new when required.
But that's not all: the adhesive A4 sheets I used weren't flexible enough, so they wouldn't conform well enough around the round tubes. I noticed that the A4 sheets felt 'plasticky', so I figured out that I could bend them and heat them to shape. So, I'd cut out, say, an SLX sticker, curl it to the shape of the tube; hold in place with some sticky tape; put it in front on a fan heater for a couple of minutes to bend it; allow to cool, then apply. How's all that for dedication?!
Note how I got a bit slack with the background on the SLX sticker. I photocopied one section of an original, then cut and pasted the rest. I first thought I could print out a picture of one from the web, but the quality was never good enough, so it was better to type the lettering on Adobe, then painstakingly alter the lettering to get it looking original.
About 12 years ago, I decided I could make my own decals on Adobe, so I did. I took me AGES, and they're still not 100% accurate. The biggest problem was that the adhesive sheets I printed them on wasn't weather proof, so I covered them with clear 'Contact' plastic that kids used to put on their school books. However, this still wasn't enough to protect them when they got very wet, so I printed lots of them, and simply put on a new when required.
But that's not all: the adhesive A4 sheets I used weren't flexible enough, so they wouldn't conform well enough around the round tubes. I noticed that the A4 sheets felt 'plasticky', so I figured out that I could bend them and heat them to shape. So, I'd cut out, say, an SLX sticker, curl it to the shape of the tube; hold in place with some sticky tape; put it in front on a fan heater for a couple of minutes to bend it; allow to cool, then apply. How's all that for dedication?!
Note how I got a bit slack with the background on the SLX sticker. I photocopied one section of an original, then cut and pasted the rest. I first thought I could print out a picture of one from the web, but the quality was never good enough, so it was better to type the lettering on Adobe, then painstakingly alter the lettering to get it looking original.
Last edited by 531Aussie; 11-06-12 at 11:00 PM.
11-06-12, 10:44 PM
#56
Aluminium Crusader :-)
Then there was the time I made some Pinarello frame decals, and spelled it 'Pinerello'. Those stickers are still on the bike, but I don't ride it any more
11-06-12, 10:56 PM
#57
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Grateful Dead I Need A Miracle Lyrics
Songwriters: DAVIS, ROBERT BERKELEY / IMBRES, VICTOR
I need a woman bout twice my age
A lady of nobility, gentility and rage
Splendor in the dark, lightning on the draw
Well go right through the book and break each and every law.
I got a feeling and it wont go away, oh no
Just one thing then Ill be ok
I need a miracle every day.
I need a woman bout twice my height
Statuesque, raven-dressed, a goddess of the night.
Her secret incantations, a candle burning blue
Well consult the spirits maybe theyll know what to do.
And its real and it wont go away, oh no
I cant get around and I cant run away
I need a miracle every day.
I need a woman bout twice my weight
A ton of fun who packs a gun with all her freight
Find her in a sideshow leave her in l.a.
Ride her like a surfer running on a tidal wave.
And its real, believe what I say, yeah
Just one thing I got to say
I need a miracle every day.
It takes dynamite to get me up
Too much of everything is just enough
One more thing I just got to say
I need a miracle every day,
I need a miracle every day,
I need a miracle every day, (got to be the only way)
I need a miracle
__________________
Brian
Brian
Last edited by calstar; 11-06-12 at 11:21 PM.
11-07-12, 06:05 AM
#58
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In defense of modern decal makers, its nearly impossible to create an accurate copy unless you have the original right in your hands. And even then, how much time can you afford to spend? Build all the letters to be exact because there's no font that matches?
For all the old bikes in the world that need new decals, that's pretty impossible. Personally, I'm pretty thankful for what we can get this days.
For all the old bikes in the world that need new decals, that's pretty impossible. Personally, I'm pretty thankful for what we can get this days.
When I see a distinct quality difference between offerings, however, it leads me to think that some makers are spending more time and effort trying to get it right.
It's got to be a tough nut, however, to try to make a living making decals for old bicycles and I'm grateful for all their efforts.
11-07-12, 07:44 AM
#60
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Now, approaching 60, it barely takes a mouse squeak to wake me."Medicated"?
We had to call that something else here in Mass. ...until last night. Med Cannabis question passed 60/40 %.
11-07-12, 10:24 AM
#61
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Back in the early 70s, I wrote Raleigh England for a set of decals for an International I had repainted. They refused. I wrote them back and said, ok then, I'll put a set of Peugeot decals on it, because I could get those. They sent me a set minus the Reynolds...
I silkscreened my own Reynolds in college, still using them. My first job in graphics was in a silkscreen shop.
I silkscreened my own Reynolds in college, still using them. My first job in graphics was in a silkscreen shop.
07-24-17, 02:12 PM
#63
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I purchased some water slide decals from bicyclebones on ebay. They are to go on a newly powder coated frame. I am undecided whether I should clear coat after applying them? My worry is once they dry out, they will be brittle and easily scratched. (Just thinking of my past experience with decals on old platic plane models!)
Any advice? I had read an acrylic based clear coat (as opposed to enamel) would be the best option since it's more flexible to match the flexibility of the powder coat), but bicyclebones didn't recommend clear coat at all citing some bad experiences, despite that it's mentioned in the application instructions. There's nowhere I can discreetly try it, so it's all in or nothing. Should I bother? Do you mask around the decal, or clear coat the whole frame?
Any advice? I had read an acrylic based clear coat (as opposed to enamel) would be the best option since it's more flexible to match the flexibility of the powder coat), but bicyclebones didn't recommend clear coat at all citing some bad experiences, despite that it's mentioned in the application instructions. There's nowhere I can discreetly try it, so it's all in or nothing. Should I bother? Do you mask around the decal, or clear coat the whole frame?
