ART, How to make your own 'Vintage' decals!

[whizzerick]

It's Tech week! Here is a nifty idea to beautify the firewall or dash of your Jalopy - or anything else, as you'll see here: water transfer decals!

(For the benefit of the readers, please wait till I'm finished posting EVERY STEP before replying - thanks)

[whizzerick]

The paper: many sources offer it. It's used for model building. This one is for inkjet printers.

[whizzerick]

The art: grabbed from the web. A distinctively Canadian icon.

[whizzerick]

Tweaking in Photoshop: Better definition will help us later on. Rotating till the text is straight.

[whizzerick]

In Illustrator: our image in the background. We'll use it to guide us while tracing.

[whizzerick]

Bezier curves: learning how to use bezier curves will give you a LOT of confidence while tracing.

[whizzerick]

Tracing: using a contrasting color to see where we are going with the lineart.

[whizzerick]

Flip: this design is almost symetrical. Flip it to finish the leaf.

[whizzerick]

Font: Close enough. Let's work on it.

[whizzerick]

Modify: Getting there...

[whizzerick]

Super: You see? It was there are along.

[whizzerick]

Finished: Voilà!

[whizzerick]

More: Lets give it some more color.

[whizzerick]

Shape: Adjusting the size of the decal to a familiar object's shape. It'll help a LOT later on.

[whizzerick]

Printing: A 99$ inkjet printer, NO fancy stuff here.

[whizzerick]

Cutting: You see? It's much simpler to make a nice cut this way.

[whizzerick]

The object: The tank on my 1948 Monark Whizzer could use some color.

[whizzerick]

Apply: Soak as per instructions, apply CAREFULLY! This paper is ultrathin.

[whizzerick]

Results: Looking good, right next to that N.O.S saddle!

There you go! My first TECH POST!

[Kevin Lee]

Are you done? Because that rips. Nice post.

[67Imp.Wagon]

WOW! Unbeleivable.

[30roadster]

very nice tech! I learned some photoshop too!

any problem with the ink running?

[Django]

That's killer. I'm going to try that for sure. I was looking at "vintage" reproductions, and they look anything but authentic.

So do most hobby stores carry this inkjet decal paper? Or even someplace like Office Depot?

[36couper]

Whizzer.....that's cool. Can I buy a couple of those off of you? I have limited software on this old boat anchor of a computer so I can't make them. PM me.

[Rolf]

Great post, thanks for taking the time...

[Elrod]

Very Cool. A long time ago I reproduced the record tray numbers for my Wurlitzer in Photoshop, because the reproductions looked like crap. I have just been waiting to find out about this decal paper! I didn't know it existed for home printers!!

Is the decal paper clear? If so, how do you print in white ink? Or is the decal paper white and not clear?

[TINGLER]

That is really cool!
Great work on "cleaning" it up too! Wow..... I don't have the words to describe how cool this post really is! ! ! !

A question I would have is about the durability of it. Does that paper hold up well in sunlight and rain? Like if someone wanted a few on their windows or dash maybe?

Man, I can think of ALL SORTS of things to do with this stuff! ! !

JT.

[whizzerick]

I'm done! I'll be glad to answer any questions:

- 30roadster: these are NOT waterproof... A thin coat of Krylon Clear will help them resist smearing. They are fragile but, hey, why not change'em on a weekly basis to keep it fresh?

-Django: Do a Google on Decal paper, I order mine from Florida. 20$ a pack of 50 if I remember well?

-36couper: That'd be difficult for me these days. I'm already behind schedule with most of my clients... I HAD to take time for a tech post, tough...

Fellas, remember that this is a 'decorative' process and that you'll have to experiment with it. It is rewarding, though.

[whizzerick]

Elrod, I discovered that stuff when a buddy asked for artwork for his Vintage Wurlitzers (10¢ a play) !!! It IS available clear. If you need only a portion of white, you can cut a piece of white decal paper and place it underneath the CLEAR decal your doing. It is very thin paper, the 'bump' hardly shows.

[Paul]

This post is getting my vote!

It is by far the coolest tech post yet!

even if the subject is a Canadian Whizzer http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Paul

[zman]

Man the quality of the tech this week is amazing. And it's only Tuesday. Right on...

[whizzerick]

60's, your WAY off! That Whizzer kit was built in Pontiac Michigan and Monark was based in Chicago! Only the fuel is Canadian, with Maple Syrup added to 'sweeten' the exhaust sound. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Big A]

Very cool post Rick. Nice Canajun touch too. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Here are some suppliers:

http://www.decal-paper.com/inkjet.html

http://www.lazertran.com/

[Unkl Ian]

Any problems with the ink bleeding when you shoot it with clear?

1-Shot makes a UV resistant clear designed for use over thermal prints.
It is available in spray cans and quarts.
VERY clear,none of the usual amber tone.But it's NOT fuel proof.

I wonder if you can shoot automotive clear over water decals? Or would they melt?

[whizzerick]

Thanks BigA. It's a subtle touch but it's all there...

[whizzerick]

Unkl, I tried and it melts... Krylon has a 'milder' VOC content.

[Junkyard Dog 32]

[ QUOTE ]
- 30roadster: these are NOT waterproof...

[/ QUOTE ]

Great post! I assume you could flip your image, and put them on the inside of your windows? Most of the ones I see in boneyard cars are on the inside (reversed).


JOEhttp://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[BigDaddySteamRoller]

Very Nice !!!

Very Impressive Post!!

Steve

[whizzerick]

Wow Junkyard, that's EXACTLY what I did in my '53:
- I actually applied it to the sticky side of a piece of clear adhesive mylar THEN stuck the acetate on the windshield:

[Paul]

whizzerick,
In reference to my comment about the origins of the bike and gas,
That’s just a minor logistical technicality
You still get my vote

[whizzerick]

TECH TIP: That decal paper is expensive and you'll want to experiment, right? Then take advantage of the 'enveloppe' feature of your inkjet printer! EVERY printer has a #10 enveloppe setting, it's THE most popular size in the world. Slice your paper at #10 size (large enough for 2 decals) and voila!: twice the surface for twice the fun!

[CLSSY56]

great post...Whiz you rock man http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Django]

Or just save a flattened copy and paste as many as will fit on the 8.5 x 11 paper. You should easily fit 6 on 1 page, depending on your size, of course.

[Jeff Norwell]

WHIZZER/....That is a GREAT post buddy...very kool http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[tinsoldier]

Great Post-
I can see an alternative way to put the club moniker on the rear window. I like the Clear Mylar idea.
-Rich

[Jojo]

Hey Whizzer - How do you install the decal? I'm concerned about smearing the ink jet ink during the wetting processes. How do you get around it? Does the sealer you mentioned earlier solve that problem? Fuckin' awesome can't wait to try it.

[tommy]

You can restore faded gauge faces or even make custom ones once you master the process. Thanks for the insights.

[Kojack]

Damn... you da man. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif You're damn good at photoshop there buddy... amazing work you did with the font there, that was really impressive. Definatly something I'm trying soon!

[beatnik]

Another great post. I've got a few decals I've been looking for that I do have images of. I'm going to try this out this weekend.

Thanks

[whizzerick]

Jojo, you are right: the clear helps a lot. That, and a quick dip. You'll ruin a few and then get the hang of it.

[whizzerick]

Tommy, good tip.
That's how I do my Whizzer speedo faces.
I start with a beat up bike speedo and Presto!: it's Whizzerized!

[haring]

Awesome post!

I didn't realize that one could buy the transfer paper. That's exciting news.

As an aside, I am currently working on a big illustration project for a client, churning out Illustrator versions of the nine most popular house architectural styles in America. Whoo! I bet everyone will want one of THOSE on their windhshield. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

"Yeah, it's a Cape Cod. Wanna race?"

[Nappy]

Awesome post.
Now that we have the technology, who's gonna whip up a batch of HAMB decals?

[raaf]

this is so fucking cool. thanks man.

[whizzerick]

Nappy, Hamb decals would be awesome but they would have to be lacquer based - the REAL stuff.

[Deuce Rails]

[ QUOTE ]
Apply: Soak as per instructions, apply CAREFULLY! This paper is ultrathin.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do the instructions include spraying Krylon clear on your printed decal? (the ones I've seen do.) If so, is that necessary? Does that help with the thinness?

Great post!

[whizzerick]

Yes, clear IS mandatory. I should have shown it in the post but I had to go in the garage to spray! A thin coat of 'matte' clear really brightens the color and gives the decal a soft 'sheen' as well as protection.

[Smokin Joe]

whizzerick:
If you're going to pilot a Whizzer, you need to take along the right drink!

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
Hamb decals... would have to be lacquer based - the REAL stuff.





[/ QUOTE ]
How much difference would there be,visually?

I'm guessing the old style were thicker,and would stand up better.
Now if someone could do a post on making your own Lacquer based water decals,
THAT would really be something.

[Cadillacin Marcus]

Awesome!!!!!

[littledeucecoupe427]

awsome, this should win post of the week!

[spark]

Did some thing similar when I did my trade as a spray painter.

Got glossy magazines, found a page with picture to be transferred to panel.

Sprayed coats of acrylic clear over the page (pic side- one side only).

Let it dry over night.

Next day, put page in shallow dish of warm water and GENTLY rub off paper from the side without the clear.

The clear takes up the print.

Spray a wet coat of clear on the panel.

Carefully place image onto wet clear and leave it alone.

Allow to dry, then start to add clear coats on top (not too wet).

When clear has dried rub back with fine wet and dry sand paper, cut and polish.

I used this method mainly on motorbike tanks and side covers.

[deuceguy]

Great post! I often trace pictures with vector graphics too. Coincidently I started the Lady Luck logo last week the same way. I was going to use it to paint a sign for the shop but now I guess I'll try to make a decal of it as well. The beauty of using vector graphics, is that the picture can be scaled to any size without messing up the resolution like bitmapped images.

[whizzerick]

Deuce, here is one I did for my studio. I started with a vectorial rendering, output to laser (full size) and use the artwork to cut 'Frisket' film (for airbrush). It is painted with plain latex housepaint. Hmmmm, for the next Tech Week, maybe?

[so-cheap]

whiz - how did you modify the font? What program....maybe I better go back and read that again.

I used to have a font creating program at one time. Very tedious.

[Cword]

In Illustrator, or Corel Draw you'd convert the font to curves, in order to be able to modify it like that.

Nice work Rick!

[whizzerick]

So-Cheap, Cword is right: I converted the font to outlines before 'tweaking' the type. Adobe Illustrator for Mac or CorelDraw for PC will do that for you.

[gowjobs]

Here's an idea:

At the local printing supply warehouse, he sells a "screenprint at home" kit for less that $30. A couple of small bottles of "air-dry" ink for vinyls, and you should be able to print on decal film with no troubles at all.

If you're not a do-it-yourselfer, the local screenprinter or print shop should be able to handle it... the screenprint will be more like the original decals, and will have more UV-stable inks.

Remember that the original waterslide decals were made by companies who made labels for produce packers and farms, but those inks actaully contained lead, and resisted the sun better tan modern print inks.

Dave