Clear Coat Over Decals?

[300zx 7]

I am restoring an old Sun Battery Charger. The two wheeled type we used to see in the old gas stations. It had silk screened white lettering which I will remove when I paint the cabinet. So, with Vinylguy's advice, I flat bed scanned the areas I needed to replace the lettering, especially the control panel, and then reproduced the lettering in Word. I took it to Kinko's to see what they could do (no one around here could do white lettering on clear decals). They have a process that will cut each individual letter out of white vinyl and leave it on a backing sheet. You then use a spatula to rub it onto the surface and then carefully remove the backing. I am concerned about the small lettering sticking with use, so my thought is to clear coat over the top. Has anyone tried it? Will it react in a bad way with the vinyl? Here are some pictures of the control panel I need to restore and the white lettering I overlay-ed with Word.

[smoreau 658]

I have used rattle can clear for this and that worked good. as for automotive clear. I don't see it being a problem, but you have to start with very light coats. after it drys, you can ad more clear.

[Anglo Traction 761]

Yep, I agree, as long as the lettering is well adhered first. Clear Coat with a polyurethane based Spray Can (don't use Cellulose Based).

I''ve used the process many times to protect various types of decal including Waterslide Transfers. Building up the coats to any thickness.

I've built up the layers to above the thickness of the decal and wet sanded to remove the raised surface over the lettering before the final coat. It takes a long time for the lacquer to harden, but worth it.

The lettering has never shrunk or cracked under the coating.

Sadly the old Screen Printing process is a becoming a rare Art, having been in the industry at the start of my working life and did a lot of detailed work on Flight Simulator Instrument panels.

It's a shame I'm not able to set up a Silk Sceen bench in my workshop, I really enjoyed doing it, but the demand would not be enough to warrant the space and set-up costs .

Your panel will look really good when it's finished! well worth doing.

look forward to seeing the result.

[300zx 7]

Scot and Richard, thanks for the advice. I plan to use clear rattle can polyurethane. I now just need to get the surface as flat as I can and then hope the transfer goes well! I can't even imagine trying to straighten the small letters if they don't stick well.

John

[300zx 7]

Well, the transfer went well. The picture looks a little flat because I wet sanded the panel after I painted it. I have only transferred the lettering and have not put the clear coat on yet. I am really satisfied with it so far. Here is how it looks now:

[300zx 7]

For anyone interested, here is how it ended up. The clear coat over the top of the printing worked great. I wet sanded and used rubbing compound on the yellowed plastic cover, just as you would clean a head light lens. That worked well also.

[Kelly 1,033]

Looks great, I love old equipment, I collect gas station stuff.

[horsefeathers 15]

Very cool most folks would hual it in for junk!

But you saved it! Way to go man I like it!

great peice for a retro grage or man cave!

HORSEFEATHERS!

[HorseFixer 2,013]

WoW.. John that is one Bad Azz looking Charger... You did a mighty fine Resto on it. Any Battery aught to feel proud when ya shoot the Juice to it!

Cheers ~Duke

:D

[Zeek 2,298]

You did a great job with that! It looks cool.