Valve cover decals

[Bill M.]

I finally got around to placing a new set of 350 HP decals on my set of cleaned up valve covers for my L79 coupe. I have replaced these type of decals before on my 65 L 76 and they were always water applied decals bought from long island corvettes. My new decals from zip are actually peel off stickers. Which are correct ? The peel of decals do not look right. Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Valve cover decals

I finally got around to placing a new set of 350 HP decals on my set of cleaned up valve covers for my L79 coupe. I have replaced these type of decals before on my 65 L 76 and they were always water applied decals bought from long island corvettes. My new decals from zip are actually peel off stickers. Which are correct ? The peel of decals do not look right. Thanks

Bill-----


I believe the original HP decals were the water transfer type.

[Ed S.]

Re: Valve cover decals

I believe Joe is correct - water transfer decals. If you are going to go that route - when you order them, order 3 sets, they are not expensive - you will definitely mess up one set - maybe even two - you should have the process perfected by the time you do set # 3. Also - you absolutely must soak the decals in a decal wetting solution before applying them - others on this forum recommend Walthers - Solvaset Decal Setting Solution - that is what I used, available on the internet and in craft stores. I only messed up 2 decals. Good luck.

[Gary B.]

Re: Valve cover decals

Ed,

Do you know who sells the water transfer decals?

Gary

[Bill M.]

Re: Valve cover decals

Thanks all. Need to know who sells the water applied.

[Ed S.]

Re: Valve cover decals

I just checked ZIP's website, they carry both types for all applications - here is a link to the 365 HP version - they are all priced the same, $9.99 a pair - I am sure other vendors carry them as well. https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-65-3...r-soluble.html

[Bill M.]

Re: Valve cover decals

I wonder why the hell they sent me the dam paper decals.

[Ed S.]

Re: Valve cover decals

They have both - paper with adhesive and water soluble, either you ordered the wrong one or a person in the warehouse pulled the wrong one. If you have your invoice or order form and it shows water soluble my guess is that ZIP will send you the correct one if you call them and explain - assuming you ordered from ZIP.

[Mark S.]

Re: Valve cover decals

Be careful when applying the water transfer decals. They sometimes tear easy or sometimes lift off the surface.

[John F.]

Re: Valve cover decals

Make sure the surface is cleaner than clean, and carefully get the air bubbles out. I would let it set up overnight before firing up the motor.

[Gary B.]

Re: Valve cover decals

Thanks Ed.

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Valve cover decals

It's always surprised me that GM ever used these water transfer decals on the valve covers. While the center-mounted PSA label was installed at St. Louis, the water transfer label was apparently installed at Flint after engine painting. They gave up the water transfer decals in early 1966 for steel valve covered small blocks (I'm sure much to the delight of the guys at Flint that had to apply these things) and transferred the HP rating to the PSA label. Then, transferring everything to the air cleaner lid for 1967.

I cannot find that either the PSA center label or the water transfer decal were ever available in SERVICE from GM. However, vaguely, I seem to recall seeing the PSA labels in the showcase in the parts department of my Chevrolet dealer.

[Bill M.]

Re: Valve cover decals

Thanks all I have done decals a few times very patient. And I will let them sit over night. I always bought from LIC so I did not know of a decal other than water.

[Gary B.]

Re: Valve cover decals

Bill,

For someone like me who has never applied one, can you describe your technique? I did just buy extras, so I can mess up once or twice. but I’m sure there must be some tips in addition to having a meticulously clear surface. Any tools to have handy?

And how exactly must it be positioned to make the judges happy?

Gary

[Bill M.]

Re: Valve cover decals

Gary. I do my own semi restoration I use aluminum polish with a tooth brush and scrip the covers a couple of times. I rinse them with water and let them throughly dry. I will wait a day to apply the decals. I get a shallow bowl of warm water and let 1 decal soak for a few minutes. I wet the valve cover with water and I make sure that the decal is soft enough by sliding it on its backing before taking out of the bowl. I have a picture showing me where the decal goes on the cover. Now I slide the decal from its backing onto the cover. The water on the cover allows me to adjust the location. So far over the years I have only damaged one decal and that was because I did not leave it in the bowl long enough. Remember I am not restoring the cover just cleaning it up. If the cover is oxidized I will use fine steel wool to cleanup before using the polish. All my cars are drivers.