Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

[Mark42]

I have the dashboard emblem for my boat and want to "restore" it. This emblem is black ink printed on thin gold anodized aluminum sheet metal. It's about 3/4" x 9" long, and about the thickness of heavy weight photo paper.<br /><br />The emblem has creases in it from being peeled off the boat (it kind of curled up). Have tried rolling it under a rolling pin, and carefully working out the bends and creases with my hands but it still does not look good enough to put back on. The printing and color is in good shape, its just looking kind of crumpled. <br /><br />I'm thinking that it may just be easier to scan in the image to photoshop and clean it up digitally. Then it can be printed. What I need is suggestions on what medium to print it on. If I print it on photo paper, it would need to be laminated and stand up to sun and getting very wet (water spray, wet hands, etc). Is there UV protective plastic laminate? <br /><br />Is there a way to print this on a plastic "paper"?<br /><br />I have searched for printer papers and laminates with no real luck.<br /><br />Tomorrow I will scan it in and post it so you can get a better idea of what I'm working with.<br /><br />I'm kicking myself now because the emblem was fine until I removed it. Didn't think too much of it back then, but now that the boat turned out nice, I want to put back as much of the original parts as possable. If you know how to flatten the original let me know. <br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Mark.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

most professional sign shops can make a decal off a pattern like yours

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

If you can supply the artwork it should be cheap enough to produce as a self adhesive vinyl.<br />It's possible to print the black logo onto gold vinyl, but for the best result I'd have the gold and the black logo cut seperately, then stick the black onto the gold.<br />Anywhere that does vinyl signs (for vans etc...) should be able to do this for you.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

I heard that Kinko's or other nation-wide print/copy shops can print out decals and such on vinyl etc. Check with them.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

Thanks to all for your help. Didn't think of a print shop. Will give them a call.<br /><br />Mark.

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

The places that do computer cut vinyls are what you need.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

Hey! Check this out! <br /><br />Water proof vinyl for your injet printer. Plus they have clear overlay for UV protection. <br /><br />Interesting stuff at this site:<br /><br /> Ink jet paper supplies

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

I've tried a few of those products and found they weren't very durable, the colours fade quickly when exposed to UV, and importantly for your application you can't print metallic colours.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

This is what I'm trying to make.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Thinking that I should have the gray changed to clear and printed on a silver or gold foil and just go with that.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

Mark, the weak link in most home and desktop printing is the ink. It doesn’t like uv light and will fade. A pro sign shop, as others have recommended, might be a better solution because the materials they will use should hold up to the sun better…I would think?!?!? If you want to try this as a home project, perhaps some non-fading black ink on adhesive backed gold foil? 3M makes a lot of different adhesive backed materials for laser and ink printers. Most of it is available by individual 8-1/2 x 11 sheet thru online art supplies.<br /><br />Btw, I’ve been playing around with prosthetic alginates. Should have myself a third foot soon…can’t decide if I want two left feet of two right feet. How are you coming with your emblem molding project? Found a place in Oregon that sells every kind of molding supply for industrial use, sells small qualities, too.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

18rabbit,<br /><br />I was looking at those 3m products. They say you can get a few years out of it if covered with a UV protective spray coating. Still not sure which way to go, but I have until the spring to decide. That emblem is only 7" long, so if I make my own with the waterproof paper, I should be able to get a dozen or so from a single sheet of 8.5x11. That will last a while!<br /><br />I managed to make a few castings that came out nice. Did not buy any acitone yet, but I plan on it. I have been working on my basement so boating stuff is low priority.<br /><br />What are your plans for the posthetic alginates? <br /><br />Mark

 

[BillP]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

Mark42,<br />I printed boat decals with black letters on sticky back mylar sheet. Find it at a good art or business supply shop. I used a $3500 xerox copier where I worked and the print stayed for years outside before fading.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Need Help with Another Emblem Restoration.

Originally posted by Mark42:<br />What are your plans for the posthetic alginates?

Cast heads. Some people prefer family portraits; I want 3-D heads of my loved ones. That way I can play soccer with them in the living room. Maybe not...they will be cast in white stone. I'm thinking instead of solid stone (heavy) I can use only 1/4 inch of stone for an outer shell and fill the cavity with 2-part (4lb) expanding foam so they don’t break. I'm threatening to put the heads in the garden along with miscellaneous arms and legs unless woman approves a new captains chair of my choosing.