Reproduction Merc drive decals

[thunder550]

The drive on my boat needs some new paint and decals. I about s**t myself when I saw OEM decals going for $175+ for a set. Of stickers. STICKERS. S.T.I.C.K.E.R.S.

Found some reproduction decals here, $40 for a set. The decals on my drive are so far gone that I can't tell what they are supposed to look like, so I don't have anything to compare to. Do these look close to the OEM Bravo 1 decals? Where does the engine size decal go? I don't remember seeing that anywhere before.

http://discontinueddecals.com/mercruise ... 8_2_litre1

[Driller]

Thunder, Check with Aslan7 he ordered some for his Merc. and they looked great in the pics.

I think his were OEM thru Cobalt if I recall correctly.

[cmattj]

There is a reason there big $$. Ive done both..and Ill never install eBay or aftermarket ones unless im selling the boat the day I installed them.

OEM Decal kits are Laminated and are resilient to Salt water, cleaning detergents and just the plain old scum line that runs across the transom "M" decal etc.

Aftermarket ones .. One wrong spray with some hull cleaner or simple green not rinsed quickly and there are lost forever. there are just a screen printed decal

Get the OEM Merc.. That $$ will be long forgotten every time you wipe that newly painted drive down..

[Big Block Power]

Also invest in a drive shower. Helps keep your drive clean and helps cool the drive. All of the mercs I've had that was the first thing I added.
Agree with Matt.
I don't think yours has a spot for the engine size. It went on the front of it as you looked at it. You can put it on any flat surface that you want to though.

[AsLan7]

There is a reason there big $$. Ive done both..and Ill never install eBay or aftermarket ones unless im selling the boat the day I installed them.

OEM Decal kits are Laminated and are resilient to Salt water, cleaning detergents and just the plain old scum line that runs across the transom "M" decal etc.

Aftermarket ones .. One wrong spray with some hull cleaner or simple green not rinsed quickly and there are lost forever. there are just a screen printed decal

Get the OEM Merc.. That $$ will be long forgotten every time you wipe that newly painted drive down..

.
Doh!

I got the $40 ones.
Thx for heads up Matt.

I did notice the worn original ones currently on my outdrive are laminated. Since they are badly worn, I'll replace them with the $40 ones temporarily as it will look nice until I bite the bullet and buy the OEM ones.

[thunder550]

The ones I linked to say they use 3M laminated vinyl. I wonder....

[AsLan7]

The ones I linked to say they use 3M laminated vinyl. I wonder....

So you're tellin' me there's a chance!

[thunder550]

One in a million...is all it takes!

[cmattj]

The ones I linked to say they use 3M laminated vinyl. I wonder....

So you're tellin' me there's a chance!

Haha * yes there is a Chance.. I had to do my X Drives and got both years ago. The Cheep one came in first.

Ok they resemble what I had.

The OE came in and the Clear thick lamination was evident. Plus the OE where the correct size as the aftermarket ones where smaller by 1/16 of inch around the diameter everywhere.

Most decals have some sort of lamination but the aftermarket ones appeared screened on and not imprinted on as you will see they are a bit fuzzy on the edges and out of focus on the details. Im sure from a distance they will look fine though.

[AsLan7]

The ones I linked to say they use 3M laminated vinyl. I wonder....

So you're tellin' me there's a chance!

Haha * yes there is a Chance.. I had to do my X Drives and got both years ago. The Cheep one came in first.

Ok they resemble what I had.

The OE came in and the Clear thick lamination was evident. Plus the OE where the correct size as the aftermarket ones where smaller by 1/16 of inch around the diameter everywhere.

Most decals have some sort of lamination but the aftermarket ones appeared screened on and not imprinted on as you will see they are a bit fuzzy on the edges and out of focus on the details. Im sure from a distance they will look fine though.

.
That's great info Matt Thank you

[AsLan7]

Pics of the cheap ones then until I can get my hands on the OEM ones.

.

[thunder550]

Thanks for the pics! Against everyone's better advice, I ordered the repros, looks like the same place you got yours from. I'll post pics when they show up. I'm not as concerned with the sharpness of the print as I am with how well they will hold up. We shall see!

[thunder550]

Also invest in a drive shower. Helps keep your drive clean and helps cool the drive. All of the mercs I've had that was the first thing I added.
Agree with Matt.
I don't think yours has a spot for the engine size. It went on the front of it as you looked at it. You can put it on any flat surface that you want to though.

Is the drive shower necessary on the B1? I read about the B3 running hot and essentially baking on water spots, but I thought that was specific to that drive.

[Big Block Power]

Also invest in a drive shower. Helps keep your drive clean and helps cool the drive. All of the mercs I've had that was the first thing I added.
Agree with Matt.
I don't think yours has a spot for the engine size. It went on the front of it as you looked at it. You can put it on any flat surface that you want to though.

Is the drive shower necessary on the B1? I read about the B3 running hot and essentially baking on water spots, but I thought that was specific to that drive.

Yes same thing. My sales manager just added one to his this in his 502. He couldn't believe the difference. I think added a hardine one. You can tell in your pictures it's been hot.

[thunder550]

Yes same thing. My sales manager just added one to his this in his 502. He couldn't believe the difference. I think added a hardine one. You can tell in your pictures it's been hot.

10-4, added to the list.