Side Cover Decals

marshg246 · Sep 8, 2018

Today I tried to complete the last step of the 1972 Combat rebuild I've been working on. I needed to apply the "dryfix" decals from AN to the side covers. Since they said "dryfix", I assumed that you would remove the backing, rub them down and then remove the carrier. It turns out that they are stickers (rectangular clear plastic with gold lettering), look like crap, and are impossible to get off so I'll have to re-blast and re-paint. At least I only have to do one.

Does anyone know where I can find real dryfix or water slide decals for a 72 750 Commando or at least stickers that aren't surrounded in clear plastic?

Johnnymac · Sep 8, 2018

Try a little GooGone. It shouldn't screw with the paint. Same thing happened to me, but mine were genuine dyfix decals. Only part of the decals actually de-fixed and I was left with shitty looking graphics. I eventually changed my mind in the end and had the graphics painted instead of decals.

The Buckeye Rider · Sep 8, 2018

marshg246 said:
Today I tried to complete the last step of the 1972 Combat rebuild I've been working on. I needed to apply the "dryfix" decals from AN to the side covers. Since they said "dryfix", I assumed that you would remove the backing, rub them down and then remove the carrier. It turns out that they are stickers (rectangular clear plastic with gold lettering), look like crap, and are impossible to get off so I'll have to re-blast and re-paint. At least I only have to do one.

Does anyone know where I can find real dryfix or water slide decals for a 72 750 Commando or at least stickers that aren't surrounded in clear plastic?

Have you tried a heat gun,,,or your wife's hair dryer?
Ride On
Dave

batrider · Sep 8, 2018

Those were the real stock decals that fell off the first week of ownership and replacements were impossible to put on nicely. I think I went to a Grateful Dead sticker for a while.

I also recently got confused by the AN description and received the original type. They were replaced for good reason after '72. I got the later die cut ones from Old Britts.

marshg246 · Sep 8, 2018

The Buckeye Rider said:
Have you tried a heat gun,,,or your wife's hair dryer?
Ride On
Dave

No but I ran 140 degree water on it for 10 minutes which accomplished nothing. Much hotter than that will probably blister the paint.

B+Bogus · Sep 9, 2018

The VMCC used to do the 'correct' waterslide decals, which blend in great under a coat of lacquer. Their website isn't very helpful in selecting what's what though.
Norvil sometimes have them in stock, and they've been good quality when I've used them. That said, my last order was a combination of 'dryfix' and plastic surround ones...

I use stencils quite often as some of the sidepanel decals available now seem to be longer than the factory originals.
Are yours single colour or bordered?

3 of them · Sep 9, 2018

anyone tried RGM ones i have just ordered some . had tank resprayed after a prang last june

Peter S. · Sep 9, 2018

Try this guy in OZ --> http://norton-decals.letsfixit.info/index.html

I used his on a couple of Nortons I restored and they went on nicely and stood up to PPG clear as well.

As for removing them, Eastwood tools has something called a "Vinyl Eraser" that might do the trick.

ps

marshg246 · Sep 9, 2018

B+Bogus said:
Are yours single colour or bordered?

The ones I bought are gold, single color, and not solid - 06.2019. Interestingly, on the AN web site that part number today shows gold bordered in black.

marshg246 · Sep 9, 2018

Peter S. said:
Try this guy in OZ --> http://norton-decals.letsfixit.info/index.html

Thanks! I really like that he explains the three types he sells so you know what you'll get (hopefully). I ordered a set.

Lineslinger · Sep 9, 2018

I used the decals listed from the supplier above. Know that they will bubble when clear coated.
It is on minor scale and I just said to hell with it, you can't really tell unless you give it a serious up close inspection.

marshg246 · Sep 9, 2018

I'll say this about the one AN sells: They are tough. I've tried every chemical I have - I have lots. Acetone weaken it, but was harder on the paint than the sticker. So I tried sanding it off. They are tougher than paint so even though you can no longer feel it, you can see where it was. I was hoping to not have to start with bare metal again, but I have to now.

marshg246 · Sep 9, 2018

B+Bogus said:
I use stencils quite often as some of the sidepanel decals available now seem to be longer than the factory originals.

Where do you get the stencils?

B+Bogus · Oct 6, 2018

oops! only just spotted this

I make them myself on a vinyl cutter

850commando · Oct 6, 2018

Peter S. said:
Try this guy in OZ --> http://norton-decals.letsfixit.info/index.html

I used his on a couple of Nortons I restored and they went on nicely and stood up to PPG clear as well.

As for removing them, Eastwood tools has something called a "Vinyl Eraser" that might do the trick.

ps

link does not work, can anyone post a working link?

Peter S. · Oct 6, 2018

Hmmm. I don't know why it doesn't work. It was up and running a week or so ago.

marshg246 · Oct 6, 2018

850commando said:
link does not work, can anyone post a working link?

I received decals from him about a week ago. Probably just a server problem.

DogT · Oct 6, 2018

Seems to me I got some of the rub on decals from OB a long time ago. That's what came on my 69/70 S. Not the vinyl ones with the clear surrounds. Not sure if they still have them, call them they'll tell you. They were pretty fragile even on the panels. It didn't take much to disturb them. I ended up using the vinyl ones because I really couldn't find what I liked with the rub on ones, maybe things have changed. I can't link to the thread above either.

marshg246 · Oct 7, 2018

850commando said:
link does not work, can anyone post a working link?

Just looked at my invoice:

Norton Decals - a Division of Letsfitit
James Fox Trading and Norton Decals

He has a YouTube video on how to install: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0AUEx9LgUY. The video works and it shows the same non-working URL.

I also have his phone number - PM me if you want it.

I haven't installed the decals yet, but they look like what I wanted and they look good.

gortnipper · Oct 13, 2018

I see http://norton-decals.letsfixit.info/index.html is back up again.

Side Cover Decals

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