The Ford Barn

Dave1931Pickup · 11-25-2017, 07:49 PM

Hi everyone, I'm starting to restore my 1931 Stewart Warner Speedometer. Brattons sells the number decals as the soak in water, slide off and adhere to the odometer wheels or speedometer surface like we did when we were kids building models. Snyders sells vinyl decals with adhesive back for sticking on the speedometer surface and odometer wheels. Which style is better and more authentic looking?
Thanks, Dave

Tom Wesenberg · 11-25-2017, 08:50 PM

Good question, and I don't know the answer. I wish someone would paint them, as original.

duke36 · 11-25-2017, 09:01 PM

Yes, good question. I have both kinds and the vinyl may be easier to install because the water slide may tear easily and turn yellow over time. Some of the new vinyl decals go on with water to help with positioning so check with your vendor.

springerpete · 11-26-2017, 07:09 AM

Who is the guru for rebuilding speedometers ? I'd ask them.

JDupuis · 11-26-2017, 08:17 AM

Get ahold of Papanick.

Mark in MT · 11-26-2017, 12:24 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I personally prefer the water transfer decals over the vinyl. They are thinner, and allow slight realignment while applying to make sure that they are on straight. Mine are so thin that you can't see the split line where the ends overlap. I have had to glue the ends of vinyl ones sometimes to get them to lay down. Only done a thousand or so, still don't get every one right, why I buy decals 500 at a time.

My $.02

papanick · 11-26-2017, 06:43 PM

Hay I use the stick on most of the time. With the water kind the (0) on the mile wheels don't mach the speed wheel. And the water kind are very hard to get them to lay flat. But it is all up to the guy that is rebuilding the speedometer. Any with the S/W round most of them are stick on now. But for the Waltham round they are water kind. Hope this helps. papanick

papanick · 11-26-2017, 06:49 PM

Dave if you run in to a hard time email me at [email protected] and we will see with we can do. papanick.

papanick · 12-13-2017, 05:36 PM

Hay Dave I'm VERY happy you liked your speedometer. papanick

Jim M · 12-13-2017, 08:14 PM

Another thanks to papanick. Mine came out wonderful! I was going to call him to ask if he would email me the tracking number and the darn thing got back before I got the chance to ask!!!

CarlG · 12-13-2017, 08:52 PM

PapaNick rocks!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 12-14-2017, 10:02 AM

If you can still read the original numbers, JIST LEAVE THEM ALONE, or you'll be SOOOOOORY!!!
Bill Allthumbs

papanick · 12-14-2017, 10:43 AM

Most of the one's I have seen the numbers are very bad and you can not make them out any more. But if the numbers are good then just have it serviced.

11-25-2017, 07:49 PM	#1
Dave1931Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 167	Speedometer Decals Hi everyone, I'm starting to restore my 1931 Stewart Warner Speedometer. Brattons sells the number decals as the soak in water, slide off and adhere to the odometer wheels or speedometer surface like we did when we were kids building models. Snyders sells vinyl decals with adhesive back for sticking on the speedometer surface and odometer wheels. Which style is better and more authentic looking? Thanks, Dave

11-25-2017, 08:50 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Speedometer Decals Good question, and I don't know the answer. I wish someone would paint them, as original.

11-25-2017, 09:01 PM	#3
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Speedometer Decals Yes, good question. I have both kinds and the vinyl may be easier to install because the water slide may tear easily and turn yellow over time. Some of the new vinyl decals go on with water to help with positioning so check with your vendor.

11-26-2017, 07:09 AM	#4
springerpete Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Maine Posts: 643	Re: Speedometer Decals Who is the guru for rebuilding speedometers ? I'd ask them.

11-26-2017, 08:17 AM	#5
JDupuis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Maryhill Ont Canada Posts: 834	Re: Speedometer Decals Get ahold of Papanick.

11-26-2017, 12:24 PM	#6
Mark in MT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Western MT Posts: 218	Re: Speedometer Decals Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I personally prefer the water transfer decals over the vinyl. They are thinner, and allow slight realignment while applying to make sure that they are on straight. Mine are so thin that you can't see the split line where the ends overlap. I have had to glue the ends of vinyl ones sometimes to get them to lay down. Only done a thousand or so, still don't get every one right, why I buy decals 500 at a time. My $.02 __________________ Mark in MT Always looking for another opportunity to be wrong.

11-26-2017, 06:43 PM	#7
papanick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: gouverneur n,y, Posts: 2,755	Re: Speedometer Decals Hay I use the stick on most of the time. With the water kind the (0) on the mile wheels don't mach the speed wheel. And the water kind are very hard to get them to lay flat. But it is all up to the guy that is rebuilding the speedometer. Any with the S/W round most of them are stick on now. But for the Waltham round they are water kind. Hope this helps. papanick

11-26-2017, 06:49 PM	#8
papanick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: gouverneur n,y, Posts: 2,755	Re: Speedometer Decals Dave if you run in to a hard time email me at [email protected] and we will see with we can do. papanick.

12-13-2017, 05:36 PM	#9
papanick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: gouverneur n,y, Posts: 2,755	Re: Speedometer Decals Hay Dave I'm VERY happy you liked your speedometer. papanick

12-13-2017, 08:14 PM	#10
Jim M Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sebastian, FL Posts: 479	Re: Speedometer Decals Another thanks to papanick. Mine came out wonderful! I was going to call him to ask if he would email me the tracking number and the darn thing got back before I got the chance to ask!!!

12-13-2017, 08:52 PM	#11
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Speedometer Decals PapaNick rocks! __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

12-14-2017, 10:02 AM	#12
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Speedometer Decals If you can still read the original numbers, JIST LEAVE THEM ALONE, or you'll be SOOOOOORY!!! Bill Allthumbs __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

12-14-2017, 10:43 AM	#13
papanick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: gouverneur n,y, Posts: 2,755	Re: Speedometer Decals Most of the one's I have seen the numbers are very bad and you can not make them out any more. But if the numbers are good then just have it serviced.

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