Vinyl Decals on a curved surface

[David Jenkins]

I need to be educated on applying vinyl decals on a curved surface

I cosmetically restored a 1947/48 Johnson 5hp.  I will dig into the mechanical soon. My frustration is on the decal on the front. The large side decals went on great, but the front instructional decal has two folds at the top, where the cowl is bowed.  I have tried twice, and get the same result with two different application methods.  And, my supplier was kind enough to send me a replacement after the first debacle.  Any pointers?

Thank you.

 

[Mumbles]

Sometimes you need heat to form the decal.  This means filling the tank with hot or warm water.

1 user thanked author for this post.

jcrigan

[Tubs]

Without knowing what methods you have used
I don’t know if what we could offer would be any
different than what you have already tried.
This is the decal your struggling with?
Tubs.

A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[slim60]

I had the same problem. Three coats of Reprotint  sea mist green with one coat clear. Dixie’s water transfer decals looked nice but front seemed to be a little fragile. Or it could have been my fat thumbs.

[Fastwin18]

My vinyl transfer went on well, just a very minor crease which I got out with the heat gun

[joecb]

Free advice, we all know what that’s worth… but here goes.  For the vinyl, I would think the having everything, surface and transfer warm would help the transfer conform to a curved surface. Perhaps work under a heat lamp. For the water slide transfers, a precautionary measure is a very light mist coat of clear enamel, let it dry well before trimming and soaking.

Joe B

[Author]

Posts