Thank you Gents, here goes...
Not sure if I mentioned this ever but prior to collecting watches I used to be a hardcore model kit collector for about 10 years.
And so I applied airbrush effects and decals on a weekly basis to my super detailed hand assembled WWII Mustangs, Spitfires, tanks and also Migs or Blackhawks.
Once I switched to watches (which are far more practical) I had quite a challenge to think of idea to restore damaged dials.
I considered having a decal made but the minimum order qty was to high at a local decal producer.
I then found transfer and decal papers from Switzerland and Germany by Emtec (then Basf) but they were to expensive.
That was 15 years ago when eBay was not that popular not to mention that hardly anybody could afford having a laser printer at home.
A few years later I found another source that was cheaper and already tested in the model kit community.
And so I bought white and translucent papers from this source together with a coating and setting solution applied with a brush or airbrush:
http://www.bare-metal.com/Experts-Choic ... -Film.htmlThis is the paper used in the above Wittnauer Futurama and Omega EQ.
Quite good quality and only one flaw that it does not stick to well to metal (as opposed to plastic and modelling paint) and so I suggest using translucent glue of high quality.
Once you print the drawing you usually also need to secure the print with a coating solution especially if you use inkjet paper.
Not everybody has an airbrush so you can use hairspray or normal lacquer in a spray can but testing is required.
For uneven and curvy surfaces you need a setting solution which slightly dissolves the decal and allows it to set evenly to angled surfaces.
Nowadays you can buy decal paper anywhere and the technology is being improved all the time so testing of new suppliers is required.
Below please find some websites and stores with decal paper including tutorials. One is especially good which says that setting can be improved with lighter fuel whereas oil can make white decals turn into transparent color (not sure if this applies to all manufacturers).
http://rrmodelcraftsman.com/extraboard/ ... lpaper.phphttp://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/decalpaper.htmlhttp://www.papilio.com - leading producer nowadays
http://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk/category/Decalshttp://www.decalpaper.com/category-s/3.htmhttp://www.dreyfa.com/inkjet_water_slide_decal.htmlhttp://creativepaperco.com/laser-waterslide-decal-paperhttp://www.beldecal.com/laser_paper.htmlThis one seems interesting, a special patented ceramic decal paper for baking onto mugs that does not need any pre-coating.
I will need to test this one day for baking on top of metal dials which should give a long lasting effect:
http://sunnyscopa.en.ec21.com/Double_La ... 75951.htmlThis one is my favorite, not exactly about decal paper but the end result of airbrushing and decal paper in model kit making:
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2 ... ha-jet.htmFrom here the sky is the limit.
In reference to what Kasper attempted with sticky paper (printed sticker paper) this is possible but requires several attempts.
Such paper is coated with a thin polymer layer which absorbs the ink or toner. I had tried with about 10 different manufacturers to find the best roughness.
I used this to restore a Zodiac Astrographic, printed the index ring and logo in black, painted the indexes white with a needle, coated black and applied to the bottom side of the glass:
Outcome is limited to resolution and the paper which must not to be to rough.
I would believe that rub on decal paper should also produce a good result in this case when used on glass.
Comments are welcome, I have not tried this out yet.
Another better outcome for a dial mask or dial (but not for glass) can be achieved by printing an image on high quality photo paper (this will not have the roughness of the sticky paper or decal).
All you need afterwards is to apply wide transparent Scotch tape on top to remove the surface of the paper with image from the thicker cardboard paper.
Stick onto dial or other location and you're done.
Yet another option is to use decoupage techniques with laser toner which I learned from my girlfriend
Print a high quality image in mirror mode on normal but quality paper, stick to desired surface with decoupage glue or white glue for wood purposes (which turns translucent).
Once dry dip the item with the paper on top in water and rub the paper away.
This requires some experience but you should be able to remove the paper and end up with the image (toner) incorporated in the thin layer of translucent glue.
This might have some light roughness similar to decal or sticky paper.
Below my recent attempt made for charger to recreate a Navitimer dial... onto a lid of tomato sauce
This was a test only so I was not very gentle and also the golden lid was not the intended surface but the outcome was acceptable, work in progress.
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