Bruce,
The type of decal that most old Reynolds and Columbus were for a certain period, the "pressure sensitive" or self adhesive decals, tend to "float" and or break apart. One reason for this is because they are almost never clearcoated from the factory, even though the frame decals were. There is a reason for this also. The solvents in the adhesive of these types of decals tend to either react with the clear coat in various ways, or cause problems once the clear has trapped the adhesive and heat is applied to bake the paint. There is a solution to this problem as a painter; but if you're looking for replacement decals to put on like the original it may eventually do the same thing. This may be a little risky for home hobbiests; but drying the adhesive with a heat source after application may help it stay put a little better on the frame. There are a few other things one might do to aid the decals' durability, but all of the tricks I know of will be ever so slightly visable.
Hope that helps some.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
>
> A member wrote in a few days ago asking for advice on
> how to restore and preserve a curling decal. Only one
> other member added to the subject by saying that they
> had also experimented with various methods and
> techniques with little or no sucess.
>
> All of us in this list have dealt with this dilema in
> the past and will continue to in the future since we
> are involved with older bicycles and are interested in
> preserving or restoring them to their best.
>
> I for one have a few Reynolds 531 decals on various
> frames/forks that are in different stages of decay. I
> have a fork that's bent beyond repair but has two nice
> triangle Reynolds 531 decals on it that I'd like to
> remove and place on another Renolds 531 fork that the
> decals have all but dissappeared.
>
> So I think this is a subject worth some in depth
> discussion on this list. If there are those with
> knowledge of tricks and techniques or articles written
> on the subject that we can be pointed to, it would be
> very helpful to many of us. Also if there are sources
> where authentic replacement decals can be obtained
> either from the tubing manufacturers or an aftermarket
> supplier or a frame painting/restoration service, that
> information would also be helpful.
>
> In the mean time, I'll sit in my basement drinking my
> coffee and looking at the curling decals, trying to
> figure out a new way of preserving them without
> destroying them any further in my attempts.
>
> Bruce Schrader
> Enjoying the January weather and my 20+ mile rides
> every day in San Francisco
>
> =====
> "Not all those that wander are lost."
> -J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
>
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