Advice on a 1962 original...

[Cub Cadet 123]

On my 1962 original, which is mostly restored, except for decals. Someone told me that I could use magnets in place of the decals. I've never heard of this before. There is a professional sign shop that I believe could do a nice job reproducing the original decals using magnets at a slightly higher cost than just putting the decals on it. Has anyone ever done this before? I cannot think of any reason to put them on other than to make repainting it easier...but I hope that won't be necessary any time soon. Any advice? Thanks in advance!


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Cub Cadet 123

[RPalmer]

I have see little magnets custom made with the Owners name and model number of their tractor stuck on a tractor at tractor shows. If that's what they are talking about... you don't want it.

[truckntran]

I use magnetic signs on my escort I mean pilot car truck. I have to tape them on so they don't blow off in high winds and they still on occasion start to fly. So unless you are trying to go incognito and pass off your cub as an Allis b-10 or something, I would just go with a good set of decals. Besides, the mags will be pretty thick and pretty obvious.

[Cub Cadet 123]

I appreciate the advice--Thanks! There are decal sets out of vinyl on e-bay for about $40. Seem to be a good resolution to my missing decals. Any warnings about vinyl decals that I should know about? I know how to use the soapy water spray and squeegy on them, I've just never used vinyl decals before.

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[truckntran]

Biggest thing is to position them where you want them cuz that's where they are gonna be for the next 40 years. I like to trim off the excess backing and leave a straight edge on either one end or the top or bottom surface.

then I position the decal where I want, and make certain it is where I want. It is helpful to use a few pieces of scotch tape to hold it there, then stand back and look. measure from the lettering to the edges of the hood to see if it looks straight. Beware, there may be a few letters that are longer than the majority of the letters, don't measure from these oddballs.

Once you are dead certain you have the right location, take a strip of masking tape and make a tape hinge between the long edge of the decal and the hood. some prefer the top, others prefer the bottom. fold the decal back from the hood on this tape hinge, do a final cleaning, then remove your backing paper from the decal. (not decal from backing paper. ) If your tape hinge was on the top edge this will be easy as the decal should now be laying upside down on the top surface of the hood.

Use whatever solution you prefer to wet down the hood, then carefully lay the decal in place and gently squeegie the water out with a body filler squeegie wrapped in soft cloth. carefully remove your masking tape hinge and any top masking that may have come with the decal. Then re squeegie it again with the squeegie wrapped in felt or soft cloth, then give everythign a nice rubdown with a polishing rag.

Don't attempt in to do this in a dust storm or a tornado. Nice calm days in clean garages are the best.

Good luck!

[gcbailey]

I too have a '62 cub. I went with the decals. They are a lot easier to do that I thought. I was pretty scared about doing it since I never had before. After I put them on I clear coated the hood a couple of times. I got the decals off ebay, $34.99 buy it now. I'll attach a pic with the decals on the hood.

[Cub Cadet 123]

Thanks for the extra tips & instructions guys!!! That '62 hood looks great!!! I can't wait to get those decals on and let them stand proud as it once did many years ago!!

Cub Cadet 123