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Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 3:43 pm
by 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
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:55 pm
by 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.
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:00 pm
by 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..
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:10 pm
by 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.
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 10:57 pm
by AsLan7
cmattj wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:00 pm
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.
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:17 pm
by thunder550
The ones I linked to say they use 3M laminated vinyl. I wonder....
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:34 pm
by AsLan7
thunder550 wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:17 pm
The ones I linked to say they use 3M laminated vinyl. I wonder....
So you're tellin' me there's a chance!
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:37 pm
by thunder550
One in a million...is all it takes!
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:43 am
by cmattj
AsLan7 wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:34 pm
thunder550 wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:17 pm
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.
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:56 am
by AsLan7
cmattj wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:43 am
AsLan7 wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:34 pm
thunder550 wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:17 pm
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
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:52 pm
by AsLan7
Pics of the cheap ones then until I can get my hands on the OEM ones.
.
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:21 pm
by 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!
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:26 pm
by thunder550
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:10 pm
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.
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 6:18 am
by Big Block Power
thunder550 wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2017 10:26 pm
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:10 pm
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.
Re: Reproduction Merc drive decals
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2017 8:00 am
by thunder550
Big Block Power wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2017 6:18 am
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.
