I have no real question on these, just a statement of a bit of disappointment. Raleigh water slide decals do not seem durable; no wonder there is a market for them.

I guess if one gets a vintage Raleigh, they should clear coat the decals.

I think the water slide decals leave something to be desired.

Fender guitars used them, that style of decal perhaps were more common in past eras.

How to Make Custom Waterslide Decals - UPDATED - by David @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community

Article on making one's own decals and yes, I am familiar that some outfits sell Raleigh decals.

I'll take the model name of the bike scripted on to the frame about any day over the decals.

OK, then.

Nope. Not durable.

I have accidentally blasted large chunks of waterslide Schwinn Paramount off of my bike.

I bought replacements because they're cheap. Were hard to install since they're 13 inches long and needed to be straight with no wrinkles.

They're not durable, making installation surprisingly hard. I bought a third decal because one split and was wrecked.

It was on the nondrive side so it wasn't too bad waiting for the fragile replacement. It installed okay.

But my color experiment (blue on red) was a dismal failure in contrast so I bought replacements because they're cheap.

The decals leave a lot to be desired. Because they're not durable.

I treat them gently now, like butterfly wings made from old Fender guitars. But I don't let anyone near them.

I keep forgetting that there are people who didn't experience this stuff back when the bikes were new.... yep, the decals are rather fragile.

When I got an essentially new 1974 International about 16 years ago, I worked with an excellent frame builder/painter to put a light clear coat over the paint and decals. It was a bit controversial with some folks, but the decals and paint are still in excellent condition. I don't feel bad about it at all.

Steve in Peoria
(but oddly, I haven't done anything for my Raleigh Team bike)

Clearcoat, apply to frame, then clearcoat again. Then you're good.

Thanks for the big help all; I had to vent!

If they were original 60's or 70's Raleigh transfers, they will function as waterslide decals but are not, they are varnish fix, a whole different animal that will sort of act like water slide decals but will be terribly fragile.

That rings a bell, somewhere I have read that. One more aspect. Thanks.