Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulabruce
PS will the Vinyl "dry out" and shrink without its paper on it? If so I would get the width measured soon, and height?
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Hi Bruce, good question. From what I've found handling these NOS decals, the decal is much better off without the transfer paper on top of it. The decal will not dry out. For the stripes the decal is a clear film. It’s very tough, and, well tougher for instance than the white vinyl that the letters are made from. Typically film doesn’t stretch or tear near as easily as vinyl.
The problem with all NOS decals is the transfer paper and the 'backing paper' under the decal that is preserving the adhesive are much different in type and quality. The result is differences in shrinkage and deterioration of the transfer paper over the years causes damage to the decal and the propensity of the transfer paper to glue itself to the decal.
Transfer paper is typically a low adhesive, cheap paper, whereas the backing paper is high quality to hold the decal on the paper until it's ready to be applied.
In post 53 take a look at the picture of the bird and Trans Am decals before removing the transfer paper and after. The transfer paper was deteriorated, and often times 'glued' to the decals, whereas the backing paper remains stout and holding the decal and it's remaining adhesive.
Here's a pic of the hood bird before the paper was removed. You can see the transfer paper was actually causing the decal to double up in a couple of areas because it's not the same quality as the decal or the backing paper. After removal of transfer paper, the decal took it's normal shape again on the backing paper. The other pictures depict the impact old transfer paper is having on an otherwise quality decal and backer paper.
When and if any NOS decals ever get used, the original transfer paper will have to be removed prior to application and a new transfer paper can be applied to the decal prior to mounting the decal on the car.
I hope this is helpful.