(Topic ID: 307933)

Original white lettering or is black OK?

By Silverstreak02

2 years ago


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    Topic poll

    “Original white lettering or is black OK?”

    • Use stencils to stay with the original white lettering 11 votes
      100%
    • Use black decals 0 votes

    (11 votes)

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    #1 2 years ago

    I’m restoring a 1959 Gottlieb Around the World pin. The playfield repaint is done and I’m applying decals for the letters and numbers. In the picture below the “ON, OFF, 100 and points is supposed to be white. Doing white requires brush work (not possible) or the use of a stencil and airbrush. I do have an airbrush and a forum member is making stencils for me. Today I mocked up the letters with black as a test. I kinda like the black and it would save a step. What do you think should I go with the original white or black?

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    #2 2 years ago

    For a restoration I would stay original.

    #3 2 years ago
    Quoted from Silverstreak02:

    I’m restoring a 1959 Gottlieb Around the World pin. The playfield repaint is done and I’m applying decals for the letters and numbers. In the picture below the “ON, OFF, 100 and points is supposed to be white. Doing white requires brush work (not possible) or the use of a stencil and airbrush. I do have an airbrush and a forum member is making stencils for me. Today I mocked up the letters with black as a test. I kinda like the black and it would save a step. What do you think should I go with the original white or black?[quoted image]

    It doesn't look good with the white background. I'd try to do the original white lettering.

    #4 2 years ago

    The "when lit" part is black originally, but without the white box it's superimposed on.

    #5 2 years ago
    Quoted from jrpinball:

    The "when lit" part is black originally, but without the white box it's superimposed on.

    The letters are printed on white paper and then cut out to give me an idea of how it would look. If permanent I will print on clear water slide decal paper. All you will see is the black. There won’t be a “white box”.

    #6 2 years ago
    Quoted from Silverstreak02:

    The letters are printed on white paper and then cut out to give me an idea of how it would look. If permanent I will print on clear water slide decal paper. All you will see is the black. There won’t be a “white box”.

    Oh, well then it probably won't look as bad then. I know it's tough to do white, but I'd go with that.

    #7 2 years ago
    Quoted from jrpinball:

    Oh, well then it probably won't look as bad then. I know it's tough to do white, but I'd go with that.

    White or black?

    #8 2 years ago

    The easiest way to do white lettering with a decal is to paint over the entire number with white, then make the decal with a clear number, surrounded by the color of the background. In this case brown. Once you put your brown decal (with the transparent number) over the white. You'll end up with white lettering.

    You will probably want to make a decal that covers the entire brown area, to keep your colors consistent.

    #9 2 years ago

    Im doing the same thing with a Magnotron and with the white letters I planned on making a Black text box and printing white letters on white water slide paper.
    The printer will actually just print the black text box giving the appearance of white letters being printed, then I was planning for the excruciation job of exacto knifing out the white letters.

    #10 2 years ago

    I'd try to do it in the original white.

    #11 2 years ago

    Since no one voted for black or said it would work I’ll wait for the stencils and try to paint them white. I admit I’m concerned with the small letters.

    #12 2 years ago
    Quoted from Silverstreak02:

    Since no one voted for black or said it would work I’ll wait for the stencils and try to paint them white. I admit I’m concerned with the small letters.

    You don't have to paint the small letters. Paint the background white and cover with your decal and the clear lettering on your decal will appear white, or better yet, use white decals and print the brown large enough to cover all of the brown area on the playfield. Then you just need to cut out the inserts.

    #13 2 years ago

    You don't have to paint the small letters. Paint the background white and cover with your decal and the clear lettering on your decal will appear white, or better yet, use white decals and print the brown large enough to cover all of the brown area on the playfield. Then you just need to cut out the inserts.</blockquot

    Brilliant!

    #14 2 years ago

    I think the black would be hard to read - i'd try one of the above methods to go with white -

    #15 2 years ago

    Black lettering - no white background - would look good

    #16 2 years ago

    I’m waiting for the stencils so I can paint the letters and numbers white. That was the overwhelming opinion of the group. While I’m waiting I made some decals in black to see how it would look. I removed them before they could dry, but what do you think?

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    #17 2 years ago

    Interesting. The IPDB shows the numbers as black outlined with a white middle. Furthermore, it shows the area you have painted brown should be red. Also the letters are nothing like yours, but you may just be doing a test look-see.

    Anyway, you could make a waterslide with white decal and a black outline. If you wanted it to look original. But it seems like you are already off the reservation with the brown, so ... do whatever you like, I guess.

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    #18 2 years ago
    Quoted from newmantjn:

    Interesting. The IPDB shows the numbers as black outlined with a white middle. Furthermore, it shows the area you have painted brown should be red. Also the letters are nothing like yours, but you may just be doing a test look-see.
    Anyway, you could make a waterslide with white decal and a black outline. If you wanted it to look original. But it seems like you are already off the reservation with the brown, so ... do whatever you like, I guess.
    [quoted image]

    You are of course right on all points. My goal is to do the best job I can considering my skill level. Fooling someone into thinking it’s original is something I’m not capable of. I believe once done most people will think it looks acceptable. As mentioned earlier my goal is to make the letters/ numbers white once the stencils arrive. The picture below is the original condition and shows the color and font differences. I took a few liberties with most everything.

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