Autograph signature preservation

[oldcarnut]

I asked this question on the paint forum but didn't get an answer so I hope its ok here since it's for my wing car.  There are a lot of aero cars with Petty and others that have autographed their wings, dash, or other parts.  What have you guys done if anything to the signatures such as clear coating or something else that keeps them from wearing off from cleanings and washing or is there not really a problem with it.  I may have something in the works and don't want to mess it up.
If this is the wrong spot for the ?, it can be deleted instead of moved. I just thoiught there would be more experience with it here.

[pettybird]

we have this problem, as well.  we have signatures on both or B5 bird and our Marty daytona.  Worse yet, we're getting the 'bird painted right now. 

I've asked body shops about this and have gotten tepid answers about clearcoating the wing.  I also don't know if vinyl wrap would pull the sigs on removal.


sorry to answer your question with more questions!

[68X426]

I saw a Shelby Mustang this summer with an autograph that was covered in plastic, looked like the lamination that people use to protect documents. This appeared to be a single plastic sheet that was shrink wrapped over the paint. Sorry no picture, and I didn't talk to the owner. From two feet away it looked strange, but over two feet you could not tell that there was a covering. I personally would not do it, didn't look right up close.

PS - I thought a Carroll Shelby signature was rare. Ha ha. Every third Ford at Hot August Nights was signed by the Man. WOW, he sure gets around.    Maybe it's the real signatures that are rare, 'cause there are thousands of fakes everywhere. Some Mopar folks want to fake a tag, the Ford folks go for the Shelby signature.

Excuse the hijack. Seems that a paint shop can hit it with clear coat and you're done. Someone here will know for certain.

[70Sbird]

I have a signature on my dash trim plate above my glove box in Silver Sharpie.
I had the the trim off to be signed, then coated it with Krylon "Matte" finish clear, just dusted the first light coat or two to keep the sharpie from running, then laid on a couple of heavier coats. It came out pretty well, only a slight change of sheen on the pebbly surface where it meets the radio bezel, but I'm probably the only one that will ever notice

[nvrbdn]

i got tommy ivo signed on the hood of my golf cart and its been there a few years, with magic marker and its in the weather all the time washed every weekend. it cruises the campground till time to go to the drags. hasnt faded a bit. just lucky i guess.

[Richard Cranium]

Personally, I wouldn't want anyone's signature on a car. But, I've always wondered what's up with pPtty's overly squiggly signature & the answer is that it's jsimply an overlay of all the race tracks he's driven on.

[Aero426]

PS - I thought a Carroll Shelby signature was rare. Ha ha. Every third Ford at Hot August Nights was signed by the Man. WOW, he sure gets around.    Maybe it's the real signatures that are rare, 'cause there are thousands of fakes everywhere. Some Mopar folks want to fake a tag, the Ford folks gor for the Shelby signature.

In my opinion, Carroll $helby is the ultimate sell out.  It used to be $20 to sign a car.   I think it is $200 now.    All under the guise of his "childrens charity" which according to reports doesn't actually endow much money.   Had it not been for SAAC (Shelby Club) encouraging Carroll to become involved in the Shelby world, he would be an irrelevent footnote.   He cared little to nothing about the cars once he was done with them.   As time went on, $helby ultimately saw there was real money to be made on the backs of the enthusiast base.    

[montana bird]

I think 70sbird has the right idea on having a signature on peace that can be removed, or not see rain.  I know that when you clear coat over existing clear coat you have to have a scuffed surface witch would remove the signature. It also should be cleaned with wax and grease remover, or ppg dx330  to remove any oil or contaminates before clear coating. This is a good question because any proper preparations for clear will remove a signature. wax and grease remover will take of sharpie.  I think before you have them sign you car, the clear should be sanded dull in that area, then have them sign with a paint pen, then clear with auto clear and blend for a good stay.  Or maybe you can get clear film they put on front of new cars for rock chips. I think they call it rock guard or somethin like that. 

[68X426]

Or maybe you can get clear film they put on front of new cars for rock chips. I think they call it rock guard or somethin like that. 

That may be the material I saw on the Shelby I mentioned earlier. Definitely would want to test it first, maybe on the inside of the trunk.

[nitrometal]

When I picked up my Petty clone, Richard had already signed the "I" in the 426 C. I. decal on the hood with his beautiful autograph.  I was worried that I would rub it off when I waxed it so I had a local body shop put that 3M clear rock guard film (as mentioned above) over the "I".  It's the same item that they install on the rocker panels of new cars to protect the paint from rocks thrown up from the wheels.  It's guaranteed not to yellow or peel away. You can't even tell that it's there.

Of course, that worked for me because it was a specific dimension and it was already raised above the surface of the paint.  I don't know what I'd do with a big open area, like the wing and etc.
Maybe have a clear 3M decal cut to the shape of the autograph wouldn't look very bad?

[oldcarnut]

I think 70sbird has the right idea on having a signature on peace that can be removed, or not see rain.  I know that when you clear coat over existing clear coat you have to have a scuffed surface witch would remove the signature. It also should be cleaned with wax and grease remover, or ppg dx330  to remove any oil or contaminates before clear coating. This is a good question because any proper preparations for clear will remove a signature. wax and grease remover will take of sharpie.  I think before you have them sign you car, the clear should be sanded dull in that area, then have them sign with a paint pen, then clear with auto clear and blend for a good stay.  Or maybe you can get clear film they put on front of new cars for rock chips. I think they call it rock guard or somethin like that. 

I'm making my dash from door to door out of 11g stainless and will install aftermarket gauges.  I have a friend thats connected with a former race driver who said he'd try to get it autographed for me. I'm going to send the same above glove box piece as well as the stainless replacement to get hopefully signed.  I bought some Glisten PC made by POR 15 for bare metal as recomended on the paint forum. Probably a good idea to have it scuffed up before I send it then reclear it. 

[chargermike]

richard and kyle signed my car and we just sprayed clear coat over it. it has been 4 years now and still looks great. as for mr. shelby his price now is 500.oo. my friend had his shelby signed. richard not only gave me a special address he also got it back to me in 2 weeks had kyle sign it and took pictures with a camera i sent. total cost FREE.  the pettys are the best. hell NASCAR treats it fans better than any other sport. long live the KING.

[nitrometal]

the pettys are the best. hell NASCAR treats it fans better than any other sport. long live the KING.

Amen, brother!