My '88 Fiero - The Never-Ending Saga

[Fierofool]

The way that one pictured is flaking off, it's printed, not a decal.

[GTRS Fiero]

Is that better or worse?

[Fierofool]

Printed would be better if the correct ink is used that will properly adhere to the cap.  Also, ink/paint cures and could be more resistant to an overcoat.  Using an overcoat on a vinyl decal can cook and wrinkle the vinyl if the overcoat is too 'hot' as we called it in the printing industry.  It would need to be an overcoat that dries very quickly. 

[GTRS Fiero]

Likely, the factory caps were also printed.  The factors caps exhibit the same issue.

[Fierofool]

Better printing inks are available today.  Epoxies adhere well to metal as do the modern UV cured inks if the proper ink is used.  The choice of the two is based upon the production speed and quantity.  Epoxy is very slow drying and requires a place to cure.  UV is instantly cured when passed underneath an ultraviolet light.  In my early days of printing, we used solvent-based inks, and they were loaded with lead which helped with opacity.  It's been a while since I've done printing, but as I was leaving the industry UV inks were the most common, and water-based inks were being phased in.  EPA regulations.  The water-based inks didn't go over so well, having a lot of shortcomings. 

[GTRS Fiero]

"Proper ink" seems to be more of a political thing.

[Fierofool]

By proper ink, I mean one that is designed for the substrate it's to be used on.  Acrylic ink on plexiglass, catalyzed polyester on polycarbonate, enamel or epoxy on metal, acid etch on glass, and vinyl on decal material.  For example, the incorrect ink to use on vinyl banner material or any vinyl would be enamel.  It will never dry. 

[GTRS Fiero]

Ah.

Of course, engraving could work on the center caps.

[harley43]

Interesting read.  Thanks for sharing.