I am missing one of the "2.0 TWIN CAM 16" decals/stickers (RHS) from my car. Is there a source of these? I am in Australia but anywhere worldwide would be fine. Thanks.
I doubt it...your best bet is to get a picture of it and take that design to a sticker/sign shop and get them to make you some.
Yep a sign shop would do it for 'ya, you want outdoor vinyl. Most vinyl is rated for 6-9 years outdoor in terms of adhesive and color fade depending. A regular plastic sticker will not last too long, maybe a couple years. I'd do the artwork for 'ya if you find me a decent head-on shot/example of what you want and give me dimensions so it won't cost you an arm and a leg. I say this because most sign shops will charge you 1) art time, 2) vinyl by the sq. foot, and 3) "install" time to apply it to your car which all could add up quickly. If you give them the vector art and just ask them to "cut"/"weed"/"tape" up the vinyl for 'ya and apply it yourself, you'll save a lot of $. You'll need a plasic applicator to squeege out all the bubbles and maybe a hair dryer to make sure the edges are on there good. Some people apply it dry, some with soapy water. IMO, wet is waaay easier since you can move it around a bit to get it straight! I work at a sign shop, do tons of vehicle graphics. If anyone else is interested, I could give you more tips or write a how-to in the detailing section. -K
You might be able to get them from the dealer. The one dealer up near me can still get the USDM decals.
Contacted a Toyota dealer here in Australia... They tell me that the white decals are no longer available but I can get black or grey for AU$48.50 each. Can anyone is USA check if they are available there in white? I need the right hand side (US passenger, AU driver) sticker in white "2.0 TWIN CAM 16". Otherwise I might look at the custom made option (thanks 89celicagt for the offer. I may get some photos and measurements to you.).
Phoenix Reprographics can make decals that are exactly the same as the stock decals, they make all the reproduction 70's Trans Am's birds for the hood & you can't tell the difference from the original & theres. If you can take paper(thin carbon copy type) & use a pencil & trace/shade the existing decals & send pictures they can remake it 100%
Phoenix reprographics does not use cheap outdoor vinyl they use the actual material the original decals were made of. They make concours restoration quality graphics. Heres an example of phoenix reprographics quality http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0161442292
I know what material you're talkin' about, I have experience using it. I would agree it's more decal-ish than vinyl, but has fade issues among other things. -K
By no means was any of my posting meant to be slanderous or anything I just beleive that the decals should look original. I am all about the exterior looking very clean. I ordered a vinyl reproduction on ebay for a ST165 and while the font & sizing is dead on the stripes in the font are not there, therefor in my opinion not worth using on my car. I paid for phoenix to make me some. exact replicas in every detail. May as well be original.
I hear 'ya, good discussion actually. I checked 'em out, decent product. Just to clarify, what these people are selling IS vinyl, not decals. 3M 2ml vinyl. High quality vinyl, but expensive. Sounds like these people are calling it "automotive grade" to create hype? It's just outdoor 2ml, nothing really all that special about it honestly. Many signs are made with this vinyl for instance, reflective road signs - same exact thing, except it's reflective. I know because I've made signs with it. Some shops do exclusivly use the 1ml though for obvious reasons which is what I think you based your comparison on. In my case I do have access to it, but the bottom line is that it's double the cost. -K
I spare the extra expense, when restoring a car. Just like my firebird you don't want to know how much I spent just in decals restoring it. probably close to $1000 Luckilly our celicas only had rear decals and some had door decals.
This company that has been discussed doesn't seem to exist anymore so I decided to privide more current info on this topic. My current production samples/info etc are here: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=1768 Current application How-to is here: viewtopic.php?f=40&t=1776 :thumbsup:
Automotive Decals/Stickers, vinyl stats and interesting info 3M DOES make an "Automotive grade" vinyl - it's a conformable 7yr vinyl (0,05mm) designed to compete with the Arlon EF series conformable automotive vinyls at a better price. It's supplied with a paper backing unlike the plastic backed 7725 series (7yr) 3M vinyls (cost cutting measure) Most people use the 3M controltac series vinyls (0,15mm) for ease of application, but the drawback is the vinyl has a hatch pattern in it similar to spraying over carbon fibre whereas the "auto grade" does not 2mm, 3mm? - no such thing!. I think you meant 0,02mm or 0,03mm. The thickest vinyls on the market are the "diamond grade" reflective vinyls used on road signs and Fire engines, Ambulances etc. Even then the thickness is around 0,5mm, an edge sealer must be used to prevent the edges from lifting and dirt getting into the hollow spaces. The normal reflective vinyl used on Police cars etc has a thickness of around 0,10mm The thickness of the vinyl is actually very interesting. The thinner the vinyl the more heat it is able to withstand. Translucent (illuminated sign) vinyls are the thinnest of all (0.01-02mm) and able to withstand the most heat We use it in high heat applications as well, ie above kitchen ovens, burners etc. We'd use it on cars too but the stuff has almost no conformability Note I do not represent 3M - nor do I use their products exclusively, there are many other fine brands available. "Automotive Grade" is a term loosely applied to any vinyl specifically designed for conformability (shaping/stretching)
