I can't help you with the application of the numbers, but would caution you about adding them. Some folks are planning or have attached the numbers to a piece of plexiglass and display them from the window.
The problem is that with the older units, when you want to strip down the ext and and polish it, the numbers come off. Additionally, on new coaches, some folks (including me) don't want to mar up the finish with the numbers. One reason could be if you decide not to be a member and then taking them off can be a pain, plus, there will be a shadow of the numbers until the coach is stripped an polished.
In the end it's obviously your call, but I would vote not to perm attach. I know some WBCCI folks cringe by those words, but I don't plan on sticking anything on my coaches exterior that does not have a function.
Originally posted by Porky Pig I've seen way too many ruined finishes as the result of those red numbers. We'll be joining the club ... but the red numbers stay off our Classic.
Yes, we had the end caps polished on our 67, but you can see where the old numbers were: They etched the aluminum so deeply that it was impossible to polish them out. (However, we're going to be able to get those same numbers from WBCCI as new members! What luck!!)
Lynn
Somewhere in the cobwebs of my brain I remember something about applying them with soap and water, that way you can move them around a bit before it drys......
However you can, whether chaulk lines, straight edge and grease pencil or pencil...something that comes of well is the point, mark the top and bottom of all the letters on the trailer. Generally lining up the letters from center out works best.
Then lay them on with the backing still on and adjust to the eye so they look straight, measuring too....but looks straight is more important than measures straight. Put some index marks for the corners of the letters...mix a small amount of dish soap in water, it should just feel slick like between your fingers or buy some application spray at an auto paint store. Strip the backs and apply one by one in shade and squeegee out bubbles and place and adjust to your satisfaction.
Pretty much same method for placing on clear plexyglass for temp installs with suction cups....lol...jem
P.S. check to see if all the numbers are the same height, sometimes 0,3, etc. are a little taller and this must be taken into account on placement.
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The Silver Buffalo
Saturn with Blue OX towbar
WBCCI # 14067
We plan on putting our numbers on this spring after we finish polishing. We found that the numbers we were sent from WBCCI appear to not all be from the same batch...they are different thicknesses and one numeral is even a slightly different color from the rest. I suppose they order the different numbers as they run out...my concerns are that they will age differently once applied or that the adhesive is different from batch to batch.
What we intend on doing is going to a sign shop and have new red numbers made and all laid out ready to go, straight & spaced on one sheet. Then at least we know they will age the same & will be spaced evenly.
As far as installing them, water and a squeege works great...we've help some other folks do theirs.
Shari
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Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
Shari,
I will definitely buy into the different numbers theory On the front of our unit all but the 2's have faded to white, on the rear they all pretty much faded at the same rate. We plan on going the sign company route too.
Aaron
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....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #2449 AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
Are you sure you want to do that? When you polish in the future, those numbers are going to get in the way, I think, unless you clearcoat it.
Seems to me we could all find some sort of "new plastic" numbers with some sort of oil or other substance on them that would make them stick, but not "glued" to the surface, so that they would peel off easy for the annual polish update.......
RATHER THAN BE UPSET WITH THE NUMBERS BEING BEATEN OFF BY BUGS AS WE GO DOWN THE ROAD AND TO HAVE THE ETCHING PROBLEM ON THE ALUMINUM, I CUT A PIECE OF LIGHTWEIGHT PLEXIGLAS AND APPLIED THE WBCCI LOGOI AND NUMBERS AND WE PUT LARGE SUCTION CUPS ON THE CORNERS AND WHEN WE WANT TO DISPLAY OUR NUMBERS, WE JUST STICK 'EM ON THE FEONT WINDOW...SEE MY PHOTOS....IT'S ON THE TRAILER.
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On the front of our unit all but the 2's have faded to white, on the rear they all pretty much faded at the same rate. We plan on going the sign company route too.
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