I recently bought a 1950’s or 1960’s Lady Luck IMPKO vintage water slide decal. I have seen lots of information about soaking the decal and applying it. I know many people say these old ones fall apart. A chance I plan to take with my $20 investment. I really want the look of this vintage sexy lady on the quarter window of my coupe. My question is do they have adhesive on both sides? I would like to apply it face up from the back side of the glass for durability. Is this necessary for a car that lives in a garage? Should I simply apply it to the outside of the glass? The directions say it can be placed on the back side of the glass. Has anyone out there done this? Some advice would be great. You only get one shot with something like this. Thanks so much guys. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I have applied many old water slide decals to the inside of windows with no problems. I usually wet the window with a small amount of soapy water to allow the movement of the decal. Mick
Make some quality scans. Then if it doesn't work out make another one. Can't be that tough. The radio repair/restoration guys make repros for reverse decals on glass tuning dials. Those get destroyed when trying to clean the glass.
That's super cool. Was going to say what Truck64 just said. You can probably even get one made on peel and stick stuff fairly easily, or do it yourself on an ink jet printer.
I used to soak decals in a shallow bowl of water until the entire decal moves against the background and then apply to the glass. They are fragile and can be easily damaged or tear if you're too heavy handed or try to separate decal from background too soon, before the glue has fully dissolved.
I agree with truck and blowby...I would scan it first. That's a really neat decal, I'd probably keep it and use the new scanned one. Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk
You don't want setting solution. Microscale Liquid Decal Film is made for restoring decals. Just follow the directions. Most hobby shops carry it or can get it.
There are some differences between this decal and most all or the reproductions I have seen. The 8 balls on her top are colored in blue most all copies are white Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
The glue is between the film and the backing paper. Printed that way up, you’d have to adhere it to the outside of the glass. There’s no white in the image. I’d scan it, invert the image, and print it on ink jet clear decal film. Then you can adhere it to the inside of the glass. It’ll fade eventually, but with a good image you could just print another one. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I was going to say, if it was meant to be installed on the inside of the glass, wouldn't it be a reverse image? Or it doesn't really matter?
I see a bunch of interesting decals on that auction site, they are definitely traditional. And educational, something (apparently) sorely needed today. Try to do your part.
If you have never applied a water-slide, I suggest you get some cheap ones to practice with. They aren't hard but practice wouldn't hurt. Also note, they are not UV save. The large HAMB one I have on my '53 Chevy has faded so bad that only those who know the shape will have any idea what it is. ~ Carl
I purchased two old travel decals from Iowa, where my car was found. After soaking the decals they literally disintegrated on the backing sheet as I tried to slide them off. I would scan it as others have suggested. How old are they?
??? no I wasn't. I assumed an Ebay site, but was merly asking if there was a particular site he was referencing. A question Maicobreako obviously understood. Thanks Maico
I would have it professionally reproduced, use the copy and save the original. Follow copyright laws. Decal restorers know what they can and can't do.
It's already been reproduced by at least a dozen people (myself included). Don't make life any more difficult than it has to be.
Thanks to all of the great advice. After the suggestions I’m leaning towards a good quality copy and keep the original. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
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