Several years ago while researching home built three wheel cycles (chronic back problems) I came across Suzy Jackson's excellent writeup on making wet slide decals.
Wet slide decals are old school. They are the kind we used on all those model airplanes and cars back in the fifties. They're not peel-off vinyl but are on a paper backing which loosens when placed in warm water, then slid into place.
As with any process, there are some pros and cons. The decal colors are laid down using a four color screen printing process, similar to the way t shirts are printed.
The inks are expensive, but multiple colors may be used.
A hardened clear coat must be used over the decal.
Extremely complex graphics may be used, all you need is a high quality jpeg image.
If you are going to restore more than one tractor, or are in the vinyl decal business (hey Dan), you might want to check her process out.
Suzy Jackson's Decals
Ted
Wet slide decals are old school. They are the kind we used on all those model airplanes and cars back in the fifties. They're not peel-off vinyl but are on a paper backing which loosens when placed in warm water, then slid into place.
As with any process, there are some pros and cons. The decal colors are laid down using a four color screen printing process, similar to the way t shirts are printed.
The inks are expensive, but multiple colors may be used.
A hardened clear coat must be used over the decal.
Extremely complex graphics may be used, all you need is a high quality jpeg image.
If you are going to restore more than one tractor, or are in the vinyl decal business (hey Dan), you might want to check her process out.
Suzy Jackson's Decals
Ted