Problems with applying decals on '49 F-Cub

[Flemmingth]

My tractor has gone from this in May 2018

To this in August 2020

I have – among other things - bought a decal set (DEK 269) from TM, and I’m now working on attaching them. Thought it would be a ‘piece of cake’, but the decals will not stick to the surfaces on the Cub ? ?

I have used the following procedure, starting with the smallest decals (to the air filter)
1. Clean the surface with dishwash soap in water and rinse with clean water
2. Dry the surface with a clean rag, followed by hot air from a hair dryer
3. Put the decal in the right place and “hinge” it with masking tape as per HOW TO forum.
4. Peel off the back paper on the decal
5. Press/rub thoroughly and for some time
6. Carefully remove the clear plastic, and the decal should sit nicely and well

When I remove the clear plastic, the decal does not stick to the Cub, but follows the clear plastic.

Grrr ! What am I doing wrong ?

[Rick Spivey]

Just a quick question, not sure I can answer your question, but exactly what type(s) of paint did you use? Clearcoat or not?

[radioguy41]

I would suspect the soap is leaving residue that clear water is not removing. I always wipe the area lightly with denatured alcohol when applying a decal (and never use soap).

[Gary Dotson]

I would not think the soap residue would be preventing adhesion. It's a common practice to mist the surface with water, with a few drops of dish washing soap and apply the decal to the wet surface. Squeegee out the water from beneath the decal, when it's placed as desired, working out any wrinkles and air bubbles. I've never had one not stick, using this procedure. I would suspect a problem decal. Others will chime, I'm sure, with their thoughts on the matter.

[Dale Finch]

Are they the vinyl or Mylar decals?

[Jeff Silvey]

Ditto to what Gary said. Good luck.

[Matt Kirsch]

DEK269 appears to be a mylar decal set. There is no clear plastic to remove. The color is printed on the clear plastic (mylar) and does not peel off.

Basically you're applying the decal, then peeling it back off.

The correct way to apply mylar decals is as Gary Dotson described.

[Lt.Mike]

DEK269 appears to be a mylar decal set. There is no clear plastic to remove. The color is printed on the clear plastic (mylar) and does not peel off.

Basically you're applying the decal, then peeling it back off.

The correct way to apply mylar decals is as Gary Dotson described.

There it is, Mylar is all one piece and the clear is part of it. The procedure your attempting is done with “cut vinyl” which I suspect is what you thought you bought. With cut vinyl each letter, dot, printed design is separate. There’s 3 layers to that when you get it. Floating it on by misting the surface and squeegeeing our the bubbles and water once it’s positioned is how you do it.
Mylar looks good but always says decal, cut vinyl looks like the lettering was painted on the tractor.

[Lt.Mike]

A quick way to know if it’s Mylar is the design will be crisp and clear to see in the package you get looking just the way you want it on the tractor.
It’s also flat and smooth to the touch.
Cut vinyl will have the lettering behind a white opaque sheet Of paper like material that will hide all the color and beauty of the lettering until it’s applied.
Running your fingers over it you can feel the individual lettering.
BTW - you did a great job on your Cub !

[Matt Kirsch]

Mylar looks good but always says decal, cut vinyl looks like the lettering was painted on the tractor.

Mylar is the closest to original though. The original decals were "water slide" style like you get in plastic car model kits.

[Lt.Mike]

Mylar looks good but always says decal, cut vinyl looks like the lettering was painted on the tractor.

Mylar is the closest to original though. The original decals were "water slide" style like you get in plastic car model kits.

True. When was the last time you saw one of those water slide decals. Wow been awhile.
Wonder if anyone has a factory decal set on the shelf somewhere.

[Dale Finch]

DEK269 appears to be a mylar decal set. There is no clear plastic to remove. The color is printed on the clear plastic (mylar) and does not peel off.

Basically you're applying the decal, then peeling it back off.

The correct way to apply mylar decals is as Gary Dotson described.

Your kit #DEK 269, has the #DE61 decal:
http://www.tmtractor.com/new/de/de_005.htm
*DE61 McCormick Farmall Cub (qty 2)

And #DE61 appears to be Mylar:
http://www.tmtractor.com/new/de/de_004.htm
McCormick Farmall Cub hood decal, mylar

Installation is quite different from Vinyl Cut decals.
https://www.steinertractor.com/pdfs/decal_instructions.pdf

[radioguy41]

My bad, I assumed vinyl since I never buy mylar.

[Gary Dotson]

Well, that explains the problem, well enough!

[tst]

been making decals for 40 years now, mylar is just cheap junk, if you want it look good and last High quality vinyl is the way to go, yes there is cheap vinyl that is poor quality out there also