Outboard decal question

[Ranger391v]

On my small boat I have a '99 Merc' 50 ELPTO (the 2 stroke 3cyl, 59cid).



The Merc' was a donor motor off a Bass Tracker. Thus I stripped all the 'Tracker' decals off her mainly due to them peeling anyway.



So as you can see, after completely rebuilding the above pictured boat, I needed a set of decals for my Merc. I lucked up and found a set on eBay ..... a set of OEM 2008 Mercury 50 2 stroke decals for her.

Here's my question ............
Aside from lining them up the best I can and "peelin'-n-stickin' " ..........

Is there a BETTER/BEST way to apply decals to a motor cowl ??????????

[EuropeanAM]

Suggested steps:

Recommended temperature range: 60-75 degrees F before attempting decal installation.

-Clean engine cowling COMPLETELY with detergent cleaner and DRY.

-Mix some mildly soapy water in a spray/mist bottle.

-Remove inner backing paper from decals (one at a time).

-Apply spray mist to cowling liberally. ALSO apply spray mist to back side of decal.

-Position decal in place, alignment is critical. Soapy water allows for movement of decal while still wet.

-Utilize a semi-stiff squeegy to work the soapy water, and any air bubbles out to the edges of the decals (you don't want water or bubbles remaining).

-Allow decals to set for approximately 15-30 minutes to dry away any water on the paper.

-Remove exterior backing paper.... reclean cowling after 24 hours.

[unklenew]

Check with Darryl at Iguana Graphix. He does amazing work and can hook you up with a custom set

[TheyCallMeTeddybear]

hopefully we can get pictures when shes done!

[Ranger391v]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by unklenew &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Check with Darryl at Iguana Graphix. He does amazing work and can hook you up with a custom set </td></tr></table>

I agree ...... but as you might have read in my above post ....... I already got a set of Mercury OEM decals.


Besides, $30 for a $140 set of OEM decals is hard to beat.

[ChampioNman]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Ranger391v &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

I agree ...... but as you might have read in my above post ....... I already got a set of Mercury OEM decals.


Besides, $30 for a $140 set of OEM decals is hard to beat.

</td></tr></table>
Then apply them according to Don's (European Marine) directions. That is the same way I do them on John/Rudes and boat hulls.

[Ranger391v]

FINISHED Pictures coming Tomorrow !

Don ..... appreciate you following the link over and posting that GREAT info ...... both you and redline were right ....... the soapy water and a 6" squeegee that I bought today worked like a charm.

Can't believe I was dreading it ......... it was rediculiously easy to move the decal around into position.

THANKS again ........... and to you too WrenchmonkeY

p.s. My last post was 1:30hrs ago ....... I started and finished the entire cowling well within that time ....... it was that easy.

[medicpelle]

To keep them decals looking good for awhile bring the cowling to a painter and have him clear over the decals

[Ranger391v]

Please excuse the boat cover ....... I really didn't feel like taking it off just for a few pictures. Plus I took the cowling back off so the decals would 'set' for the full 24hrs inside the house at 70degrees ...... since that's what Don's instructions called for.

[EuropeanAM]

Good job!

[ChampioNman]

Crooked!