Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Uncle Joe · Guest

Does anyone have any bright ideas how I can put white numbers in a specific font onto the rear side of clear plastic?

I'm restoring a speedo dial, and in the process giving it a kilometer scale. Normally I can come up with a workable idea, but this one has me stumped. Surely there must be an easy way?

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4759 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
If there is room for another minimal thickness, print them on an OHP transparency, then place that inside the plastic mentioned in your post.

Presumably you have already found the font you want.

Greeney in France · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:53 am Post subject:

You could use a "good quality" clear sticky film and cut the numbers out of paper or even buy them from stationary shop and stick them on the sticky side then stick that on the back of the speedo lens
A good quality film will be almost invisible something like a wide sellotape
_________________
www.OldFrenchCars.com

We do these things not to escape life but to prevent life escaping us

TonyBrooks · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 108 Location: Maidenhead

Drop a line to Robert Fenn - he restores instruments and may be able to give some hints

E-mail Address(es): RobertFenn@aol.com

Uncle Joe · Guest

I know the font, but not what its called, so I will have to find that out, I suppose. Here is a picture of the speedo.

To do the job properly, I will not only have to change the numbers, but possibly also the scale, as well as remove the PRND2L, as this was from a column change car, and mine is floor change.

As a final resort, I can think of using the self adhesive film idea. I would prefer if possible to get a stencil made and then for example airbrush everything. Seems more correct somehow. So my big question really, is how can I make the stencil?

Job-Rated · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1010 Location: Sugarbeet County

If you use a stencil & airbrush, you will almost certainly get overspray from the gun blowing the stencil around & it could be a real pig of a job to tidy the numbers up afterwards.

I would be more inclined to use a sticky plastic, or maybe some Letraset type of stuff - I'm not sure if that's available in reverse, as you'd want it on the inside of the plastic, or if it's available in white, or even if it's still available at all.
Check your local stationers, office equipment suppliers or arts & crafts shop & have a good look around - ask lots of questions.

You might also want to make a quick call to the manufacturer & just ask them how they manage the process.
_________________
Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!

http://www.loosechange-band.co.uk/

Old-Nail · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 853

I have seen a tacho on a Kawasaki motorcycle done this way, the numerals indicated the revs until they reached the redline after which they changed to £ signs! Very Happy

Uncle Joe · Guest

After reading the replies, my thoughts now are to use something like letraset, if its available in the correct font, but on the black backing plate instead of the clear plastic.

Theres only one question remaining now. Does anyone know what the font is?

Thanks for your input so far everyone.

Old-Nail · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 853

Just out of interest UJ does the speedo sit at an angle to the driver?
As in - does the face slope away in relation to the drivers upright position?

Job-Rated · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1010 Location: Sugarbeet County

The font looks similar to one called 'Impact', but not quite.

I'll see if I can find it.
_________________
Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!

http://www.loosechange-band.co.uk/

47p2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Glasgow

Hi UJ,

What about these companies who do computer graphic vinyl signs.

They can create anything if thay have a sample. What they could also do is mirror image it, that way you could stick it on from the rear.
Alternatively if they made it up and you removed the letters it would give you a stencil for applying paint....

Just a thought
_________________
ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

Uncle Joe · Guest

O-N: THe top of the speedo slopes awy from the driver at maybe 5 or 10 degrees. This is what it looks like, a total contrast to P2's dash! At least there is some engine turning on it.

J-R: I also found a font called TW cent mt condensed, but even that is not correct.

47p2: Just before I read your posting, I was speaking to a local company that does the vinyl graphics. Its a long weekend here, so I'll get out to see them next week.

Ricky426 · Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Italy

Uncle Joe · Guest

Ricky, do you have the same speedo as the one pictured?

Old-Nail · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 853

The reason I asked about the angle is that the font looks as though it has been designed to take into consideration a degree of perspective foreshortening. Usually when letters or figures are tall and slim they are that way because they designed to be viewed at an angle, best examples are these on the road.

The lettering is long and thin when viewed from above but when viewed from the correct angle the effect is different.

That's what the letters on your speedo reminded me of but having seen the dash in situ I think it's perhaps just a styling issue.