Thanks, Arran,
Good info. The unfortunate thing is that, at least for the old sewing machines,
the part that is so often destroyed by "cleaning" is the gold overlay of the
original foil decals! These oldies most often had a clear coat to protect the
decorations, but this degrades over a century or so, leaving a yucky brownish
layer that most uninformed folks take to be "dirt" or "dried oil". So, they go
to scrubbing away with whatever highly alkaline household cleaners they have
available to them, most times removing the remaining clear coat and then (VERY
quickly) the underlying exposed layer of gold foil or color. What's left is a
singularly unattractive silvery foil layer, and dull black lacquer undercoat.
I have been rather notorious in this sewing machine community due to my
penchant for soaking the old machine heads in a tub of diesel, which has the
dual benefits of both softening dessicated deposits of old oil and crud without
harming the paint coatings OR their bond with the underlying iron, as well as
having a somewhat rejuventating effect on the lacquer coat - kind of like hand
lotion for paint. It seems to actually rehydrate old dry mummified paint
layers, especially noticable on machine that have been stored in a hot dry
attic for some decades (or generations).
AT any rate, still looking for a method for making repro decals or
slip-transfers for the golds and colors for these ornate designs. Being able to
slip a transfer onto fresh paint and then apply a clearcoat would be perfect -
it's got to be fairly tough, though, as most of the people who wish to do this
also want to USE the machines, not just sit them in the parlor to park a fern
on! (Damn decorators - same genetic stock as demo guys)
Kate
Kate Justet Triplett
Kate's Custom Gunleather
Monroe, Washington
Proudly a member of NRA
and owner of "Lucille" 1968
<Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 18:56:43 -0800
<From: "A. Foster" <monkeypuzzle1@xxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: IML: making decals on a printer???
>Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Kate;
>There is a water slide decal material that I have run across called
>Lazertran, which can be used to produce a decal out of any image that your
>printer can print. They also have a similar product that you can use to make
>iron on type decals with a colour photo copier which may be more durable.
>The only drawback is, for myself in particular, is that neither machine will
>reproduce the gold or silver metalic portions of decals so I will need to
>investigate how this could be done short of screen printing.
>I have also run across decals that are made for ceramic items that can be
>baked in a kiln. I would love to find out how to make those as they would be
>immune to engine heat.
>Best Regards
>>Arran Foster
1954 Imperial Newport
Needing A Left Side Tailight bezel and other trim parts.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kate Triplett" <ad_ablurr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 7:47 AM
Subject: IML: making decals on a printer???
Some time ago, there was discussion of air cleaner trim and decals - I think
it was for 64-66?. Someone made mention of printing decals on some sort of
special film stocl on their home printer.
If this is true, would love to know more details. I am also a collector of
antique sewing machines, and there has been considerable discussion on
restoration and how to replicate the ornate decals for them.
Any leads would be more than welcome! Thanks in advance
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