Decal Replacement

[Cat3roadracer]

Has anyone had luck replacing their own decals? I would assume factory installed decals, like with a new paint job, will be perfect. The decals on my Merlin Extralight are slightly cracked, the frame will be 10 years old this year. I am wondering first of all if I could ever get the same font, and if a replacement set would be as durable.

Has anyone ever restored their decals?

A minor issue I know, just wondering.

Thanks, Dave

[firerescuefin]

I've done it twice with my Merlin....Its TEDIOUS (Time/Music/BEErsss/Hair Dryer/and a tool to help you rub the sticker off the decal)

....but you can get a great result. I can send you some recent pics. Google Merlin Decal, and you'll see quite a few vendors. Some of those may be much easier to reply.

[AngryScientist]

I've done it twice with my Merlin....Its TEDIOUS (Time/Music/Bear/Hair Dryer/and a tool to help you rub the sticker off the decal)

....but you can get a great result. I can send you some recent pics. Google Merlin Decal, and you'll see quite a few vendors. Some of those may be much easier to reply.


post the pics!

this is something i'm interested in too. seems like a very common problem with the older Merlins. those nice white decals just didnt last. thankfully the awesomeness of the Ti frame will outlive multiple decal iterations.

[firerescuefin]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63871072@N07/5816113570/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Getting the old decals off requires equal parts scotchbright green pad and acetone/gas/googone/patience...pic your poison

If you have polished the tubes you need to get the finish off because the sticker won't stick to the bike. Get it aligned, put the decal down, start the hair dryer, and use something like a hard plastic card to slowly apply the decal (scraping the back of the decal paper). Merlin started sending out 3 decals with 1 as your practice...yes really. I imagine some of the vinyl ones are much easier.

[steampunk]

+1 on tedious, but the results are worth the work.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=92061
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=93334

[firerescuefin]

Steampunk...had seen that post...those look great. The Merlin one that came from Merlin had all of the original sticks (designed by TK....new press on head badge, 3.5 ti for seattube...etc. Easy to find those on ebay.

[sean]

Forgo the hairdryer and buy a heat gun. Harbor Frieght has one for $14. Totally worth the expense. That and a plastic tire lever or putty knife and you can make quick work of decals. Then finish off with some some sort of solvent to attack any residue, acetone, bestine, goof off, etc.

HF also has a Hot Blade Decal Remover, but never tried it. Anyone here have experience with one?