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Helmet decals?

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:22 pm
by bellumbill
Hello All -

Just about finished up putting together my german kit - one of the last bits is to apply a single decal to my M40 helmet - Bought it from Ken at German Helmets Inc. - he does a great job, IMHO, BUT he doesn't apply decals. So, I am on my own.

A few points - Just found out today that Military Helmet Decals will no longer be able to supply dry transfer decals, which was my first choice because that is what the originals were.

So, now I am left with a water slide decal, which I have heard are difficult to apply and make look correct??

Any advice on how to proceed??

Thanks!

Bill

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:28 am
by ShaneH
Originals were put on with a varnish like the ones from decalhelmet which are the best and closest to originals you can get

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:22 pm
by bellumbill
ShaneH wrote:Originals were put on with a varnish like the ones from decalhelmet which are the best and closest to originals you can get

So, the decals from Decal Helmet are, in fact, dry transfer decals applied with a laquer?? Or are they wet slide decals with laquer applied over them???

BTW, they look great, probably will purchase a set - - I am just trying to get some understanding for my own edification of the difference between how originals were applied and how current decals are applied.

Thanks!

Bill K.

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 2:51 am
by DER SOLDATEN
Early decals were varnish and later became water slide also were available in canteens as private purchase,these came on rolls.
Early decals came on sheets.
Here is a nice video showing them being place on the helmet.I think these are the water slide type being used but I'm not positive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqyaOvXvSnE

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:34 am
by bellumbill
DER SOLDATEN wrote:Early decals were varnish and later became water slide also were available in canteens as private purchase,these came on rolls.
Early decals came on sheets.
Here is a nice video showing them being place on the helmet.I think these are the water slide type being used but I'm not positive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqyaOvXvSnE
Soldaten -

Thanks for the info! First I have heard that water slide decals were ever used on german helmets. On other forums I have heard they aren't correct, that the only correct decals are the dry varnish type - Now I have some info. to refute that!

So, considering that decals were ordered off helms in, what, 1942?? when you say "later" they became water slide, what year do you mean?? Again, just looking for more info. for my own education.

Thanks again for the great info.

Bill K.

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:53 pm
by conrad uno
bellumbill wrote:So, the decals from Decal Helmet are, in fact, dry transfer decals applied with a laquer?? Or are they wet slide decals with laquer applied over them???
Bill K.
the 'perfect laquer' decals from decal helmet are water slide, but an adhesive is used to fix them to the helmet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... KAtEF15l44

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:04 am
by DER SOLDATEN
I don't know there year these were introduced.But you can see them on helmets online.The varnish decals tend to leave a silver residue behind when flaking off and are thicker. The water slides pleel a bit easier. There are also different addlers for different makers and years.There are also parade dress eagles so I'm told.I'm still learning myself. Are you on Wehrmacht awards? There is a ton of info on there.
I will see if I can find more info for you. Also the pictures of the private purchase ones.
I used water slide decals on my M42.
First I heated it up until it was hot to the touch added the decal and then quickly smoothed out the bubbles.
Then after doing this I heated it up again(the helmet) with a hair dryer.
The next step is to use a dull coat or varnish the seal it on.
The last step is to once again heat up the helmet until it is really hot.
This will bond the decal to the paint.
It will not come off unless you want it too.Even then it is hard .
Of course it will chip as anything in the field does.
Note if you do not use a clear coat.The first due or rain that touches the helmet will extract the decal.It will simply float away.
This will also work for rough textured helmets. Be careful not to rub to hard on textile helmets.Also be careful not to place direct heat on your decal.
Heat the helmet from the inside. Do this heating process about three of four times.
I will try and find more info.
Heat the helmet from the inside.

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:18 am
by DER SOLDATEN

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:26 am
by DER SOLDATEN
This has most of the info you are looking for. I will still search for the private purchase ones.

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:33 am
by DER SOLDATEN
ShaneH wrote:Originals were put on with a varnish like the ones from decalhelmet which are the best and closest to originals you can get
Thanks for the info on these decals,I have been wanting some of these for a long while for my M35.
any info on helmet parts? Such as liners and chinstaps.
I use this site.
http://germanhelmetsinc.com/

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:04 am
by DER SOLDATEN
http://helmetsofwar.com/restored-helmets-sale/
Pretty nice site with original, restored and info on German helmets and decals.

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:30 am
by Mooyman
the most authentic texture feldgrau helmets are being made by german helmets.inc 8)

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 9:40 pm
by Zschakel

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:48 am
by fallschirmjaeger

Re: Helmet decals?

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:51 am
by peiper1944
Personally i used the water slide decals then used clear matt finish varnish spray over the
top, i had some "aged" decals from a US company which worked out well but the normal
type slide decals are just as good, with the normal ones i just a rub a bit of dust on them
before applying the clear varnish spray, this gives them a used combat look.

Pipes :wink: