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MagicFloat
01-06-2006, 04:05 PM
Got my 1968 Merc1000SS ready to go except for decals. Read most of the threads about decals,showed my one good wraparound to a local graphics guy. He said he could reproduce them,using a new process with a chrome base.He brought a small size set out today to see what I thought before he made a full size set. They looked great,should have the full size set next week and I'll post pics. He said engine size designation would be easy,different colors and details would also be easy. This guy is very talented and has the latest hi tech equipment.Apparently it's a new process and the chrome vinyl is pretty expensive,but it might work out. Stay tuned. :p

LakeRacer99
01-06-2006, 04:24 PM
Cool, I'm listening, how much?

MagicFloat
01-06-2006, 05:30 PM
Don't have any idea yet,he said he had to buy a large quantity of this new chrome vinyl stuff and would need to have several orders to recoop his investment. I told him I would cover it if necessary as I have 6 engines that could use new decals.If they turn out really nice I think there will be some business for him.If they are not what they should be,no big deal,just think it's worth a chance at a decal source. Again,stay tuned.

Raceman
01-06-2006, 05:49 PM
It would seem like if he can print it at all, he can print it on the 3M chrome tape that Merc has used for years. Last I knew it wasn't tremendously expensive and it's very durable.

fstboatlvr
01-06-2006, 10:27 PM
I'm a friend of magicfloats and also saw the mini-decal set today. I must say that the decals were very impressive. Ricky (the decal guy) just purchased a 40,000 machine that is the latest and greatest available. I don't know much about this stuff, but the way he explained it the color is burned into the chrome which is actually thin metal instead vinyl chrome like most people have been using. I'm a picky,anal etc person when it comes to boats, especially irreplacable ones, and I was amazed at how close to perfect these were. The colors and font were dead on :cool: . They will be more expensive than vinyl but if I know Ricky, it's going to surprise you how inexpensive they will be considering the process . Magicfloat is the ginnypig when it comes to cost ;) Nothing but the best for the G3, ayy Robert :D :cool:

150aintenuff
01-07-2006, 02:46 AM
oldmercs.com does some as well.. I got my merc 400 decals from them and they were close enough fer a fissin motor... but may not be exact enough fer a show piece..

Bruster
01-07-2006, 02:20 PM
It would seem like if he can print it at all, he can print it on the 3M chrome tape that Merc has used for years. Last I knew it wasn't tremendously expensive and it's very durable.

When I started working on the 1500XS decal project, the samples coming off of the Gerber looked pretty nice, problem is the inks are not very durable and have very little UV resistance. They just won't look good for a long time in the sun. Another problem is the colors are not "glossy", they come out with kind of a "matt" finish. To counter some of this you can clear coat or overlay with a clear vinyl, however this overcoating takes away from the "original look"
The chrome film that can be printed with the Gerber is very thin ~1 mil, it's very expensive and scratches with a soft rag wipe. You can't print with a Gerber on the heavy 3M chrome. It comes out looking like old antique paint. Printing on solid colors seems to be a whole new ballgame and very easy to do, still has a "matt" finish.
The original decals were screen printed and to get that original look and durability the reproductions will need to be done this same way. I.M.O. :D

rostertails
01-07-2006, 07:24 PM
I have a 1977 1979 1150 mercury that are in need of some new cowl decals. Do you have a web page for this guy? or a way to get in contact with him?

Bruster
01-07-2006, 07:58 PM
oldmercs.com does some as well.. I got my merc 400 decals from them and they were close enough fer a fissin motor... but may not be exact enough fer a show piece..

These are repos from Bob Shapton and are perfect. This Merc 400 won best classic the only time it was shown.

<img src=http://home.comcast.net/~mercmanwon/Jerry3.bmp>

MagicFloat
01-07-2006, 08:26 PM
Absolutely beautiful rig. Is it a restored Aristocraft or one of the new ones that are available?

Bruster
01-07-2006, 10:28 PM
Absolutely beautiful rig. Is it a restored Aristocraft or one of the new ones that are available?

Thanks...
The boat is a new one, the motor is restored. :D

largecar91
01-08-2006, 06:25 AM
Bruce, How's them XS decals coming??? Barry :confused:

Bruster
01-08-2006, 09:51 PM
I'm looking for the samples soon, done the right way! :D

Raceman
01-08-2006, 11:04 PM
Bruce you really oughta shoot some pics of the Aristo Craft from all angles and post em here. I've been thinkin' about ordering one of those to stick a Mk 78 on.

LakeRacer99
01-09-2006, 11:27 AM
How come we can't find any of the magic boxes that Mercury's Supplier used to use for the originals and dust it off and take it for a spin? I haven't investigated this much, but I have seen it discussed for years here in the past and can't figure out what would be so difficult about it. Don't we even have some old Merc employees that are part of our family here?
What was the machine that was used by them?

LakeRacer99
01-11-2006, 03:06 PM
I still need twister 1 decals if this can be done eventually. These would sell pretty good I would imagine since most of those decals are faded by now.

Yep faded and random acts of dumb ass like this...I have a mint set of 77 175 cowlings from my low hour 77 1750. I ran this motor on my Mirage when I first got it and thought the cowl needed up dating, so I covered up the Mercury script with black vinyl decal. When I got my 260, I put the motor on a stand. I pulled the black decals off and it left some sticky adhesive on the Mercury script, I used rubbing alcohol to remove it.................FYI, the white on those old chrome decals (if still there) does not like rubbing alcohol! :eek:

Bruster
01-16-2006, 05:29 PM
Jason
I have most of a N.O.S. set of '78 (I think) V-6 Merc decals. :D

crazy horse
01-16-2006, 06:49 PM
Hey Bruce, I was wonderin if you knew what they used for color on the XS decals? I asume it was some type of paint? Did they coat them with a clear coat to protect the color?

Bruster
01-23-2006, 04:56 PM
Hey Bruce, I was wonderin if you knew what they used for color on the XS decals? I asume it was some type of paint? Did they coat them with a clear coat to protect the color?


Hi Dave,
Sorry, did not see this post. The XS decals are and were screen printed. The colors are painted over a 4 mil thick chrome mylar base. There is no clear. When you clear the chrome mylar it comes out looking like polished aluminium, kind of a dulled down. Look at my Everyone Loves an XS thread. I have a faceplate sample, and it's awsome.

xskid
01-26-2006, 01:15 AM
i called 3m last year and they said that they stopped making the scotchcal film that merc used, a long time ago, around the same time merc went to vinyl.the chrome tape of today is not the same. i have a n.o.s. set of 1500xs and 850xs decals. i might soon look for someone that can make them, but im pretty fussy. i doubt that anyone can do a good enough job. a friend of mine said a couple years ago that he found a company that could reproduce them almost exact, using the same silkscreening that the mercury used, but the price was too much and it was a 250 set minimum per style.

goodride
02-07-2006, 08:28 AM
Now for me some decals are more special than others.

OK its on an evinrude, but I just enjoy reading the words!!!!!!!!

same goes for the decal on the allison dash!!

bridges
05-23-2006, 02:27 PM
Notice the H.P. rating on the serial number plate! :D

These later "Louisville" Allison decals replaced the old faded "Maryville" decals.

Tom Smyth
05-23-2006, 06:10 PM
XSKID - wanna part with them 850 Xs decals??? :)

Tom sMyTh

Bruster
05-23-2006, 07:21 PM
XSKID - wanna part with them 850 Xs decals??? :)

Tom sMyTh

HA HA HA HA HA HAAAAA.. YA RIGHT, might have better luck getting him to part with his right arm.:D

Tom Smyth
05-24-2006, 02:49 PM
Okay okay... how much fer the right arm ???? :)

Tom

Bruster
05-27-2006, 10:04 AM
Okay okay... how much fer the right arm ???? :)

Tom

What ya gonna do with a right arm? That would look worse than your ol Florida sun faded decals. I could understand havin' a right hand man if you were president or sumthing, but an extra arm.... makes no sence......:eek:

Tom Smyth
05-27-2006, 03:34 PM
I am sure you have heard of a two fisted drinker.... how about a three ???

Interesting concept.. sounds like a challenge.


Still got that extension kit clogging up my shop.....


Tom

Raceman
05-27-2006, 08:36 PM
A set of 850XS decals brought between 4 and 5 hundred on E Bay several months back............... closer to 5 if I remember.:rolleyes:

Mark75H
05-27-2006, 09:07 PM
After a few sold at outrageous prices they settled down to $150 or so