Window Washer Tank Decal Reproduction

[Travel'n Man]

Arne sent me this picture of an original window washer tank decal. I found a reproduction on ebay earlier this week. The match looked great to me. I've got an original tank but no decal. At this time there are 8 left with free shipping. I have purchased mine for my car. If anybody needs one for a restore - refresh here it is. I have not seen these at MSA - Black Dragon - or any other source that I am aware of.

$22.00 BIN (Free Shipping)

Edited September 1, 2009 by Travel'n Man
Error in link

[Mike B]

Yeah, I've seen those too. One minor error I see is that there is a period after the word 'NUESTRO' in this reproduction that is not on the original. I doubt anyone would notice, since the sticker can't really even be seen one it is on the tank. Here is a link to the ebay ad http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380151494073&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT. I found that Datsun roadsters use the exact same sticker and a seller has been reproducing them for several years (with no errors that I can see). I bought several of them a couple of years ago for $7 each and shipping was $2 total. It looks like they sell for $9.50 each now. Here is the link http://www.datsunparts.com/Engine-Room-Decals-and-Stickers. The part number is 2128 - Datsun Washer Tank Sticker. All of the foil reproduction stickers I have seen (these washer tank reproductions, paint codes, emissions, etc) seem a little different foil color than the originals.

I attached some comparison pics below. The first is from the ebay ad Travel 'n Man referenced. The other is a new tank I have showing the original sticker on top and the reproduction from datsunparts.com below. For some reason, the new tank (and other new ones I have seen) has the sticker mounted up higher so that it folds over the top. However, the original stickers on my cars are like the picture from Arne, where the sticker is mounted lower and only on one side.

-Mike

[Travel'n Man]

It looks like they sell for $9.50 each now. Here is the link http://www.datsunparts.com/Engine-Room-Decals-and-Stickers. The part number is 2128 - Datsun Washer Tank Sticker. All of the foil reproduction stickers I have seen (these washer tank reproductions, paint codes, emissions, etc) seem a little different foil color than the originals.

I feel like I just took it up the tailpipe ($9 vs $22)....oh, that hurts!:tapemouth

[geezer]

I feel like I just took it up the tailpipe ($9 vs $22)....oh' date=' that hurts!:tapemouth[/quote']

Happens to all of us at one time or another...but on the bright side, look how much money Mike saved everyone else!:classic:

Edited September 1, 2009 by geezer

[Travel'n Man]

I just heard from the supplier in Japan (I've been buying some of his personal items). This one is printed just like the original and not via an ink jet printer. Afterall - our cars did come from Japan and we all know what American quality is like now a'days........ unforturnatly (I don't own a American Car other than a '76 Jeep Pick up we use in Chritmas Trees). Maybe my decision was not a bad one after all.

$22.00 including free shipping vs $8 or $9 + shipping........I may have came out on on the sunny side for both quality and shipping............

[Mike B]

This one is printed just like the original and not via an ink jet printer.

Printed via an 'ink jet printer'? Where did your supplier get that from? Here is the info from the Datsun parts site:

"The artwork was reproduced by painstakingly matching 40-year old fonts to samples of original roadster stickers. We tried to match the spacing to the originals as best as possible' date=' even if we knew it was possible to space things better, we spaced them like the originals.

Any logos were re-created as vector drawings, and placed in the illustration. Japanese text was scanned at high resolution from near-perfect original decals and cleaned up if necessary.

The decals are printed on metallic polyester using thermal imaging system that produces a minimum of 3 times the resolution of standard screen printing (aka “silk screening”+). All stickers are being laminated for additional protection and if they were in full sun (ie, on the outside of the car, not under the hood) they should have a life of 8-10 years. Much longer life under the hood. Won't smear. The laminated stickers are then plotter cut for accuracy."[/i']

Did the supplier mention what his printing method was, since he apparently is claiming it was the same as the originals?

Afterall - our cars did come from Japan and we all know what American quality is like now a'days........

I'm not sure I understand or agree with that logic. So we should only buy reproduction parts made in Japan' date=' because American quality sucks?

Maybe my decision was not a bad one after all.

$22.00 including free shipping vs $8 or $9 + shipping........I may have came out on on the sunny side for both quality and shipping............

Well, like I said, my shipping was $2 for several stickers (I also got some radiator ones at the same time). If the price is $9.50 each now and shipping is $2, that is $11.50, which is still half what the Japanese supplier is charging, even with 'free' shipping. If you want to do a side by side comparison and report back, I'll send you one of my extras for free.

-Mike

[Travel'n Man]

No need for a comparison. I'm happy with my descision and vendor. I'll be happy to take a free one if you insist though.

Edited September 2, 2009 by Travel'n Man