Replacing the numbers on the speedometer.

[Fullraceflathead]

Does anyone have any advice or tricks on replacing the numbers on my '28 oval speedometer?
My speedo is missing its numbers on the mile wheels.
Strangely the actual mile per hour numbers are still intact.
This speedo looks like it's never been touched.
I have two sets of the oval speedo numbers from Snyders.

[Skeezixx]

I'd like to know this too

[Tom Wesenberg]

I've only done one and after a few years the decal lifted in places. It might be best left to the experts. I know in the train hobby there is something you can put on the decals to keep them nice. I don't recall what it is called.

I set all the wheels to the same number, then marked exactly where the row of numbers was located so I could locate the decal in the same place. Remember the nuber has to be the same number in the same spot, so as the wheel turns to 9 it picks up the next wheel and turns it one number. I used the wire wheel to remove what was left of the old numbers, but remember you must first mark the wheels so the right numbers are in the right location. I wonder how the pros paint on the numbers, so it's like a factory original.

I screwed up about 10 years ago when I was at the prewar Iowa swap meet. A guy had two oval mint original speedometers for $25 each. Even the red numbers were all there and bright. I already had mint ones on my 28 and 29, but for only $25 I should have bought them for spares or trading.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

... It might be best left to the experts...

My thoughts exactly.

I've had good results from Papanick here on the Ford Barn. He advertises on the swap meet quite often.

[Slotblog]

"I know in the train hobby there is something you can put on the decals to keep them nice."

Tom, you're probably thinking of Walther's Solvaset, though you might also be thinking of a clear protective lacquer overcoat.

[Dick M]

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I had the same problem. The decal numbers started to lift off of the wheels after a few years. I used "Elmer's All Purpose Glue Stick" to glue them back onto the reels. This product looks like a tube of lipstick. The decals have remained in place for the last five years.

[ccb360]

I also had good results from Papanick (via Ford Barn) for a couple units. One was original to a car I recently purchased. Reasonable & quick.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Slotblog

"I know in the train hobby there is something you can put on the decals to keep them nice."

Tom, you're probably thinking of Walther's Solvaset, though you might also be thinking of a clear protective lacquer overcoat.

Yes, that's what I heard the guy in the train store mention about 10 years ago. I've never used it, and in fact haven't used decals in over 20 years except for that one speedometer about 10 years ago.

[gridleak]

It would be great if I could get real water slide decals. All I have been able to find are those with numbers printed on stiff sticky tape that don't stick well and curl up. Super glue helped.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by gridleak

It would be great if I could get real water slide decals. All I have been able to find are those with numbers printed on stiff sticky tape that don't stick well and curl up. Super glue helped.

The one I did about 10 years ago was the real water slide. It would have come from Bert's, Bratton's or Snyder's.

[Mark in MT]

I use the water transfer type decals on my restored odometers. They stick on very well to a smooth clean surface. The other thing to watch for is old hard grease in the gears of the odometers, that will cause the odometer to fail because it turns too hard.

[gridleak]

Where do you get the water slide decals?

[Bruce Lancaster]

I think that A&L has real decals, with variations for the different speedometer makers that used wheels of different sizes.

[jtucker]

I replaced my numbers about six months ago. What I found is that there are two types of water slide decals out there. One has a clear background that shows white when placed on the white wheels...these were a nightmare to install...too thin to handle and the black numbers wipe off if touched while wet.

The good decals have a white background and are a bit thicker with permanent numbers.

Put all columns of numbers on in one piece, cut apart after dry. Use a very sharp knife to cut the columns between wheels...I used a break-off-the-blade-to-get-a-new-point knife, but a razor blade would work just fine.

[gridleak]

Who are A & L?

[Brentwood Bob]

A & L can be found in the stickys at the start of This section. Look under keys made.
Bob

[wensum]

I've just attempted to put water slide decals on my speedo (just the red ones) and found them very delicate and ultimately they didn't stick and in fact tore in two.
I then used a paper glue and very carefully manoeuvred the decals into the right place.
Hopefully they'll stay there, but not entirely satisfactory
Keith