UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > General Vintage Technology > Cabinet and Chassis Restoration and Refinishing

Notices

Cabinet and Chassis Restoration and Refinishing For help with cabinet or chassis restoration (non-electrical), please leave a message here.

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 23rd Feb 2020, 2:22 pm   #1
Cathode Ray
Pentode
 
Cathode Ray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: County Meath, Ireland
Posts: 242
Default White transfer letters on plastic ?

Hi Folks,
I had a rather unfortunate accident when cleaning a modern radio.
The white fascia lettering came away.
It is very small font, about 2.5mm tall ( I estimate it to be 10pt font).

The original lettering appeared to be laid on the surface of clear plastic,
it feels slightly raised under my fingertip.

Has anyone has any luck using ordinary Dry Transfer lettering?
Like this
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Letters-Dry-...UAAOSwo4pYXTrM

I just wonder how resilient it will be on the surface.
Lacquer spray over the top isn't an option I'm afraid.

Thanks for any advice you may have.
__________________
Regards
Ray
Cathode Ray is offline  
Old 23rd Feb 2020, 7:06 pm   #2
Uncle Bulgaria
Nonode
 
Uncle Bulgaria's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,315
Default Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

I suppose it depends how much you're going to touch it. I don't think there was much protection for it if it came off while cleaning, especially as it feels raised. Did it look like a transfer or like paint?

I'd try the Letraset-type stuff. If it doesn't work then you've not damaged anything. I've used DIY waterslide transfers before, but only with lacquer over the top.

You could chance your arm at magnified sign-painting with a tiny brush...!
Uncle Bulgaria is offline  
Old 24th Feb 2020, 12:00 am   #3
Cathode Ray
Pentode
 
Cathode Ray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: County Meath, Ireland
Posts: 242
Default Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

Thanks Uncle B,
It looks like very neat paint was used.
I'll try dry transfer first.

The surface wont be touched very much, I shouldn't have used an alcahol based cleaner !
__________________
Regards
Ray
Cathode Ray is offline  
Old 24th Feb 2020, 1:03 pm   #4
af024
Octode
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch (it's not by the sea)
Posts: 1,254
Default Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

I have a similar problem with a Goodmans Module 80 - just wear in my case, but I did wonder about white Letraset myself. I just don't know the font! Of course if I could print white on clear film I'd be ok, but how do you print white for goodness sake??
__________________
Now where on earth did I remove that from?
af024 is online now  
Old 24th Feb 2020, 1:12 pm   #5
Skywave
Rest in Peace
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
Question Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

Use Dymo tape?

Al.
Skywave is offline  
Old 24th Feb 2020, 5:20 pm   #6
donutty
Pentode
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 163
Default Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

I have just tried with the vinyl cutter we have at work. Size 10 is sort of possible but you really have to be careful not to dislodge the individual letters whilst on the waxy backing paper.

What lettering do you need and I could try it for you?

But are you sure it's not screen / pad printed? The vinyl will not like to be handled and would probably come off again with cleaning using any kind of solvent.
donutty is offline  
Old 24th Feb 2020, 5:22 pm   #7
donutty
Pentode
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 163
Default Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

Attached showing what the plotted vinyl would look like
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	fontcutting.jpg
Views:	149
Size:	97.7 KB
ID:	199644  
donutty is offline  
Old 24th Feb 2020, 5:41 pm   #8
Uncle Bulgaria
Nonode
 
Uncle Bulgaria's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,315
Default Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

That is quite small!

Has anyone had any success with DIY screen-printing of front panels? It always gives a great finish but I've not had any first-hand experience of doing so. I understand from surfing around that it is technically possible on a small scale...
Uncle Bulgaria is offline  
Old 25th Feb 2020, 10:48 am   #9
valveaudio
Hexode
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Diss, Norfolk, UK.
Posts: 386
Default Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

Custom made. https://www.bedlamcreations.com/cust...rslide-decals/

Or try Microscale. If you are VERY lucky you might find someone that owns an ALPS printer, these could print white.

Trevor
valveaudio is offline  
Old 25th Feb 2020, 10:56 am   #10
donutty
Pentode
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 163
Default Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

I have done small run screen printing from start to finish by printing the masks, pasting and curing the photosensitive screen block, washing off the unexposed parts, screen printing and then removing the cured block to use the screen again. It is fairly easy and not that expensive (Hobbycraft sell screen printing kits for £40 but the ink will be for fabric only) but still, not worth doing for a one-off unless it is a very prestigious set or you are a real stickler. Also, for a 'craft' approach you are probably not going to get the resolution needed for fine text and graphics.
donutty is offline  
Old 7th Apr 2020, 9:32 pm   #11
rockinmark
Heptode
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK.
Posts: 594
Default Re: White transfer letters on plastic ?

You can get white vinyl lettering in 2mm
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Screenshot_20200407-213124_eBay.jpg
Views:	98
Size:	29.7 KB
ID:	202473  
rockinmark is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 9:13 pm.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.