How to Restore Vintage Audio Lettering Without Decal “Ghosting”

How to Restore Vintage Audio Lettering Without Decal "Ghosting" The secret to restoring vintage audio lettering without the telltale "ghost" outline is using dry transfer lettering instead of waterslide decals. Unlike waterslides, which leave a visible clear carrier film around each letter, dry transfers deposit ink directly onto the metal surface with no film at all. The result mimics the original factory silk screening—just pigment bonded to aluminium, with no border or sheen difference to betray the repair. Dry transfers (also called rub-on transfers) work through pressure rather than water. You position the transfer sheet over your faceplate, burnish the back with a stylus or smooth tool, and the ink releases from its carrier and adheres to the metal. When you peel the backing [...]