decals: what difference between dryfix and waterslide? what is original?

decals:
what difference between dryfix and waterslide?
what is original for Fastback and Early Commando?
thank you for helping!

Dryfix are self-adhesive and are typically applied dry, using pressure to stick down (carefully, avoiding air-bubbles as they won't come out!), then the covering paper is pulled away.
Not 100% sure, but I think these are what were used on early Commandos. Later bikes seemed to use vinyl 'stickers'
Waterslide are applied wet, the backing paper is behind the decal and needs to be wet enough to allow the decal to slide off the paper and floated into position. They're quite fragile but if applied correctly will merge 100% with any lacquer topcoat.
I always lacquer in the graphics but the factory didn't.

I just applied the decals to my KZ 900 project. They were about halfway in between waterslide and dryfix. Careful positioning is a must and getting the water and bubbles out paramount after that.

Two coats of clear later they look pretty good.

That being said, I've only seen vinyl stickers on Nortons for quite a while. They are normally applied AFTER clear coat, although you may want to clear over those expensive, hand-pulled pinstripes. Waterslides may have been used early on, but without clear, they are frail and damage easily. The stripes on the KZ were printed on white vinyl and were also frail until cleared over.

I was responsible for the Van contract area at Longbridge for a year or so, all the decals for the Post Office and British Gas vans were vinyl. First job was to fill a bucket with luke warm water and a few drops of fairy liquid, next was to soak the sides of the van using a broom, then the decals went on, floating on the soapy water they were moved into final position and then wiped to remove the soapy water and air from behind the decals. No clearcoat on top, Post Office sent their own decals in, British Gas told you who to buy them from.

Water slides are a bitch. Very delicate, they tear easily. And urethane clear will wrinkle them. Never tried lacquer, as it's unobtanium here. If I use them again I'd put a buffer coat of waterborne clear on first.

This Interstate I did for a friend, put gold base down first then masked with 3M fineline and a vinyl decal. Sprayed the black and carefully peeled off the masking before clear. No raised edges, very nice.



For my own bike I used vinyl striping and decals and cleared over them. The trick is to use over reduced clear in light coats so the paint flows tightly around the edges of the vinyl. Otherwise you get an air bubble at the edges that will eventually fail and peel off.



Since then, I've had a sign maker make vinyl stencils for Commando decals that I can paint over with an airbrush.

Striping is easy to do with masking and an airbrush -

I am trying to get the best possible original looking..
can anyone can tell if this is a waterslide, a dryfix decal or mylar?

If it's so easily damaged I'd guess it's waterslide, but difficult to tell at this distance
It looks like a Commando era decal on a rather earlier bike (ES2?) The Vintage Motorcycle Club have a decal scheme where pretty much everything seems to be available, and most of their stuff is waterslide

B+Bogus said:

If it's so easily damaged I'd guess it's waterslide, but difficult to tell at this distance
It looks like a Commando era decal on a rather earlier bike (ES2?) The Vintage Motorcycle Club have a decal scheme where pretty much everything seems to be available, and most of their stuff is waterslide

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I am looking into their website, but I can't find the decals page. Perhaps the shop is available only for the members?

VMCC shop https://www.vmccshop.net/

but currently down as they are shut due to covid 19.

https://classictransfers.co.uk/

I've had some from this chap before. I think he might work from home so might be able to help.

I used to get them from classic transfers but it seems that they run out of most of them

Lorenzo said:

I used to get them from classic transfers but it seems that they run out of most of them

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Ah ok. Having had a quick look it does look like most are now unavailable.