Painting Decals?

Stonk · 30-03-15, 11:05 AM

We will definitely be bringing my Mum's car back to the UK to sell and I am thinking about sprucing it up etc, it won't need too much done to it apart from a detailed clean. One thing that I'd like to look at is the original decals that run from the front headlights and wrap around the rear side windows. If I recall correctly when new, the one below was dark grey and the one above was red (I guess a sort of GTI red) but after 30 years of washing they have faded to a light grey.

I was thinking, maybe a professional sign writer could paint the original colours back in? Do you guys think that'll work? If so what paint?

John. · 30-03-15, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stonk

I was thinking, maybe a professional sign writer could paint the original colours back in? Do you guys think that'll work? If so what paint?[/IMG]

"Slacker" is a professional pinstriper/signwriter.......maybe he could advise?

It may just be as easy to remove the originals and use the "fresh paint" as a guide to put new stripes on?

On another note, if the stripes have aged nicely along with the rest of the paint then it's proof of originality....so to speak?

Flying Frank · 30-03-15, 01:21 PM

If you can work out the exact shape of your old decals, I have a good contact now who could probably make you a new set , but you will need to supply a pattern for him to work from....I guess the most significant part is the curve around the rear window, which you could get from a tracing ( put tracing paper over the area and then use a soft pencil to shade over the area and the shape will come through ( can't remember what the process is called, some one remind me please! )
He can supply samples of colours as well. You measure out the lengths and also could send some pictures too.

Let me know if you'd like the contact. Probably many other folk out there who can do the same thing.

Well worth doing as the car looks great...worth a picture for the Calendar IMHO.

Mellis46 · 30-03-15, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Frank

put tracing paper over the area and then use a soft pencil to shade over the area and the shape will come through ( can't remember what the process is called, some one remind me please! )

"Brass Rubbing". Ahem

theschmallfella · 30-03-15, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stonk

I was thinking, maybe a professional sign writer could paint the original colours back in? Do you guys think that'll work? If so what paint?

I would go with Flying Franks suggestion rather than painting, I'm an ex-signwriter and the remake of decals is a better and cheaper option, painting is very risky in that it would have to be an A1 job, and that costs a fair bit to do. You may also want to consider that the prospective buyer may not like the stripes, and if painted on may be a mark against the sale of the car, at least with decals they can be removed with ease.

theschmallfella · 30-03-15, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mellis46

"Brass Rubbing". Ahem

Stonk · 30-03-15, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theschmallfella

You may also want to consider that the prospective buyer may not like the stripes,

Thanks all. The main aim is to keep the car as original as possible and the stripes are fitted when it rolled out of the factory. I guess all Coupe GT's had them back then but most have lost them over the years probably due to repairs etc.

I had no idea these could possibly be remade though. When I get the car back, if I may, I'll contact Flying Frank.
Many thanks
Steve

Flying Frank · 30-03-15, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stonk

Thanks all. The main aim is to keep the car as original as possible and the stripes are fitted when it rolled out of the factory. I guess all Coupe GT's had them back then but most have lost them over the years probably due to repairs etc.

I had no idea these could possibly be remade though. When I get the car back, if I may, I'll contact Flying Frank.
Many thanks
Steve

be my pleasure to help if I can!

Flying Frank · 30-03-15, 04:50 PM

I pinched this picture from an ad for a GTS on fleabay and it shows the coach lines quite well. They are probably quite tricky to make as it looks like they taper at both ends.

Measurements will be critical to achieve the desired originality I suspect.

theschmallfella · 30-03-15, 09:10 PM

It's a nice touch isn't it, I like the subtlety of the look.

30-03-15, 04:50 PM	#9
Flying Frank 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kernow, Gods own county !! Posts: 2,388	decals I pinched this picture from an ad for a GTS on fleabay and it shows the coach lines quite well. They are probably quite tricky to make as it looks like they taper at both ends. Measurements will be critical to achieve the desired originality I suspect.

30-03-15, 01:21 PM	#3
Flying Frank 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Kernow, Gods own county !! Posts: 2,388	If you can work out the exact shape of your old decals, I have a good contact now who could probably make you a new set , but you will need to supply a pattern for him to work from....I guess the most significant part is the curve around the rear window, which you could get from a tracing ( put tracing paper over the area and then use a soft pencil to shade over the area and the shape will come through ( can't remember what the process is called, some one remind me please! ) He can supply samples of colours as well. You measure out the lengths and also could send some pictures too. Let me know if you'd like the contact. Probably many other folk out there who can do the same thing. Well worth doing as the car looks great...worth a picture for the Calendar IMHO.

30-03-15, 09:10 PM	#10
theschmallfella Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Back in the Emerald Isle Posts: 772	It's a nice touch isn't it, I like the subtlety of the look.