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My windshield cracked and need to replace it, but would like to save an original registration decal from 1965. As a registration it's useless, but it is proof that my car was registered in Mexico since 1965.
Any ideas on how to remove it without damaging it? Would heating it with a hair dryer be of use?
Thanks
Is it an old-style decal that when new you would put in water to remove it from the paper it was on prior to applying it?
I'm not 100% sure, but I would say yes, given it's age and the way it looks.
Any ideas?
Henry,
Please show us some pics (inside and out) and maybe we can come up with something...
Cheers,
I may have an old plastic model trick that should work. I need to look for it at home.
I'm in the same boat with my original Marken decal on my front windshield:mad:
Would love any hints on trying to remove it intact.
Related...Anyone hear updates on the windshield availability?
Related...What original front tinted widshields do you all have and what years?
Sigla? That's what I have on my 70. Bone stock.
Sekurit?
Michael, I have a 70 with all original glass. Windshield is Sigla, all other glass is Sekurit. COA shows 'tinted glass', so I guess that was the combo they used. Maybe Sekurit only did clear glass? I was at EASY this week getting some bits off a 70 parts car. I believe the windshield was intact, but I didn't notice if it was original. Did notice the VIN, which was 9110100016, so I guess it was one of the very first for the model year.
I've removed old water transfer decals by just soaking them until they start to float loose. Old decals like that are very delicate though, you might have to keep it wet for days before it completely frees up, especially ones that size.
Here are the pictures, it measures abot 4 x 2.5 inches.
Same as mine. OK, two data points.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenT
Maybe a hot wet towel and a clothes steamer??
Considering that it's such a large decal, and so old and that it is in a state of deterioration, you might just want to have it cut out as just a piece of the windshield and frame it.
That being said, I had a model car once that had a decal that I decided to transfer to another car. This stuff is actually designed to make water-slide decals "melt" down into deep details on models. It should soften the decal you have such that you could transfer it to another surface and then just let it dry. In looking at the photos, though, and considering how large the decal is (and so many little holes), it may disintegrate. Here's the stuff Im talking about:
http://www.houseofhobbies.com/mimisolseso.html
It may be worth a try.
As for the Weltmeister stickers, the only what I know to get those off is very slowly with a hairdryer (heat gun).
I agree with Peter - the chances of getting that off in one piece (even with decal softener) are slim. Are you sure it's a water transfer? Looks more like an adhesive type sticker from the photos. If that were the case, I think you'd have a chance of saving it.
One other possibility: if you can cut the glass out around it, you might be able to scan it. Then it would be easy to make a new water transfer decal with an ink jet printer. It would be complete with wear and patina!
Thanks Guys,
The idea of cutting the glass around it had already occured to me, that might be the way to go.
I'm not 100% sure it's a water style decal, I wasn't yet born when it went on the car, and was about 8 when the local authorities stoped using these type of decals, so I really can't tell.
In the pictures it looks like it has a thousand holes, but it all seems to be held together by a thin layer of clear decal. I'll let you know if I can save it.
There are a couple of products that could help get it off but I agree it will be difficult if not impossible to get off without damaging it to some degree.
I've used Goof Off 2 with some success but you have to be patient and still will probably need a razor blade. I have another stronger adhesive remover at work butt I can't remember it's name. It's pretty noxious. Best of luck.
If using heat, you have to be very careful not to use too high of a temperature or else it could melt the decal enough to shrink or distort it.
I'm from Mexico, your decal isn't big, you just didn't measure it (around 2 by 4"). These decals were used to id the car's registration when we did have a DMV registry, at the time we don't. From the photo, the right upper corner doesn't have the backing anymore, it only has the ink for the frame. I could bet that if you tried with a potent enough solvent you wouldn't budge it and would even damage it. These adhesives don't respond well after 44 years. I would cut the glass and keep the decal as a souvenir, off the car's new windshield.
Manuel C.
Before you try to remove it take some really good photos of the decal.
Send it to someone that makes decals and get a new one made.
I'm sure one of the boys here can point you in the right direction.
I know it won't be the original, but it's in keeping with the faith..... and you love it so much.....and it is so cool.
Tony
Henry, Those decals were stick on and not water based. If you still have the car in Mexico I would suggest that you take the car to a Notary Public (Notario),and have him certify that the decal is original and in place on Vin# car with full description. I would NOT take it off the original glass. I would then store that glass in a very safe place and put the new glass in.
You might be able to find someone in Mexico who can make you one, or you can scan it and make your own. You'll need the old glass for when you have a registration problem. In those days the Registro would also stamp your chassis in several places with those same numbers, some hidden and others visible.
Thanks for all your replies. My original thread is from early 2009, and someone revived it a few days ago. In the meantime I can report that the decal was destroyed while trying to remove it, but that I did take some good pictures of it.
The regitration number is quite useless in Mexico or anywhere else, and as David points out my car does have the registration plate attached to a door sill, as well as the documents that match the plate number to the old registration card.
Besides, the number on the sticker never matches either the one on the plate or the one on the card, the sticker was there to let authorities know that your car was registered (I guess).
Thanks!
For anyone's future reference try steam, as in an iron or other hand held device. The adhesive on stickers, labels etc doesn't like the moist heat. I've been removing price tags and such from paper faced record albums for years without damage to the underlying material and the offending sticker/label comes right off.
David
**Just for reference**
I have done this a few times with success. Be patient!!
You have to stick another adhesive/sticker 'backing' to the (inside)decal. This will keep it in one piece when carefully removing it from the glass. Put some heat from the outside and at the same time with a very sharp,flat razor type edge you will carve the glass with out lifting the edge and VERY slowly do this till you remove the decal.
The decal you have does look very fragile so do a test in an area before going for it. I would not wet it.
That's just one way of doing it.
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