Using 3M 467MP adhesive to reapply pinball decals

billg4me@yahoo.com

Home


Pinball decals are often applied to the underside of clear plastic pinball ramps using a clear adhesive.  They usually contain some sort of artwork or game play directions.  There are times when they need to be reapplied.  This includes:

This web page is put together to share the information and tips I gathered while using 3M 467MP adhesive to reapply a ramp decal.  Click on pictures for their full image.

3M 467MP Adhesive

3M's 467MP adhesive is a product that I learned about  through the  rec.games.pinball newsgroup.  It comes off the roll like double sided tape, but with no tape - just adhesive.  I used it to reapply the ramp decal on my Williams Comet.

To remove a ramp decal I highly recommend using Goo Gone to dissolve the existing decal adhesive.  I like to use an artist brush with stiff nylon bristles to gently work the Goo Gone between the ramp and sticker.  Take your time and don't get impatient.  I probably spent 15-20 minutes removing the decal in the picture.

Bob Ellingson has posted in rec.games.pinball that he's ordered a case of the 467MP adhesive to sell to rgp'ers.   Contact him via email at bobe@halted.com for pricing information.

Clean sticker and 3M 467MP Adhesive

 

Top

Applying Adhesive

Before applying the adhesive to the decal make sure it's nice and clean and free of any old adhesive.  I just used additional Goo Gone and made a final cleaning with Windex.

Roll out the adhesive the length needed and place it's paper side down on a hard smooth surface.  Next, lightly mist the TOP side of the decal with Windex and lay it on the sticky adhesive that's facing up.  The Windex helps allow time to move the sticker in place and smooth out any wrinkles.  Slowly keep squeegeeing the Windex out between the adhesive and the sticker.  In about 5 minutes the adhesive will take hold.  Set aside for an hour.

 

Apply adhesive to sticker backing
I liked to remove the excessive adhesive by gently rolling it away from the decal.  I did this to give a nice clean adhesive edge to the decal.  This way when the decal is unpealed the adhesive won't try to pull away from the edge. 

Roll off excess adhesive

After all the excessive adhesive was removed, I set the sticker aside for 12 hours.  I'll be the first to admit that this is probably overkill, but I wanted to allow time for the adhesive to cure and really bond to the decal backing.

Excess adhesive removed

Top

Installation of new sticker

Just like the decal, make sure the ramp is nice and clean and free of any old adhesive.  I just used additional Goo Gone and made a final cleaning with Windex.

Ramp ready for sticker
Before pealing off the decal, I lightly mist the back side of the plastic ramp with Windex.  This helps allow time to move the decal in place and smooth out any wrinkles.  Much like applying the adhesive,  slowly keep squeegeeing the Windex out between the decal and the ramp.  In about 5 minutes the adhesive will take hold.  Here's a finished look from the backside of the ramp.



New sticker - back view

Here's a look from the top of the ramp.  The picture glare doesn't help, but the decal is clean and crisp with no signs of the adhesive.

That's about it.  One thing I did before using the adhesive on the actual decal was play around with other decal like materials.  I ended up using a candy bar wrapper - Snickers for me :-).

 

New sticker - top view

Top