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You may be right, but are you sure the bits were chrome and not black that has oxidised?

Great photos - well done!
As there's quite a lot of work here, can I suggest whoever fancies taking this on makes themselves known first, to avoid duplicated effort. Also, if using Photoshop, it would be sensible to save the file in PSD format during the process, so it could be worked on collaboratively if necessary, without loss of quality. The only solution I can think of for the "chrome" or mirror parts of the graphics would be to leave them white (to print as transparent on the decal) and then cut out and apply the shapes in mirror plastic behind the decal, with a small overlap hidden by the print outline on the decal.

The chrome was expensive, but it does look spot on. Together with the stove enamelling and restored graphics, your machine could be the sharpest Bell-Fruit bandit on the planet!

coppinpr wrote:...are you sure the bits were chrome and not black that has oxidised?

Yes, they definitely look like chrome as the black areas look different both on the front and rear.

pennymachines wrote:The only solution I can think of for the "chrome" or mirror parts of the graphics would be to leave them white (to print as transparent on the decal) and then cut out and apply the shapes in mirror plastic behind the decal, with a small overlap hidden by the print outline on the decal.

That sounds clever to me, the plastic mirror idea, as for the sharpest Bell-Fruit on the planet, I'll tell the Mrs that maybe it'll get me some brownie points!

pennymachines wrote:The only solution I can think of for the "chrome" or mirror parts...

So are you suggesting scratching off the unused mirror plating so the plastic will be transparent to let light through to the rest of the artwork? I can't see a lower light tube but surely there's enough light cast down from the upper one to light the lower panel?

Gameswat wrote:I can't see a lower light tube but surely there's enough light cast down from the upper one to light the lower panel?

There are two light tubes, though not fitted back on the machine yet. The chrome mirror plastic idea is to be seen through the new decal through to the outside / front of the glass to replace the areas where the detailing has now gone black and was originally chrome finish.

I've done a few pinball backglasses, that were like that.
You need to spray it withh a clear lacquer, (Wilco's do a good one). It won't mater about the oil, unless it's really thick.
Spray a couple of coats from about 12" away, then carefully press the flakey bits down onto the tacky paint.
When the lacquer had dried, you can overpaint it from behind, using acrylic. you can check colour matches by painting on the front, as it will wipe straight off.

I've made a start on the top glass. Still a way to go and others might be better than me at this.


I can try and do what ever you like BUT are you absolutely sure the stars and shamrocks are chrome? When I blow the sections up super large in Photoshop they are clearly black, degrading to chrome/grey in places. The two bottom stars on the square glass are solid black Let me know what to try.

I have to ask, what is the other machine in your photo?
The one that looks like a gas meter mounted on a sewing machine treadle with a hat stretcher on the top.

If it turns out to be a gas meter mounted on a sewing machine treadle with a hat stretcher on the top, I shall immediately award myself ten points and have an early night.

coppinpr wrote:Ive made a start on the top glass...

That's looking great. I've gone and looked again and taken another photo and you can clearly see (though not so much on this image) my fingers and the lens of camera reflecting in the chrome. However, as you said, I do now believe the bottom 2 stars are black, also the red is a brighter red. Sorry to be a pain but it is looking good.

badpenny wrote:I have to ask, what is the other machine in your photo?
... If it turns out to be a gas meter mounted on a sewing machine treadle with a hat stretcher on the top, I shall immediately award myself ten points and have an early night.

Lol , you sort of got only one part partly right. Firstly you missed the Horse's Head, then it is a Post Office Franking Machine, sat on a Victorian Pub Table, with a Conformateur sitting on the top (yes that's the part you got right, sort of). It's for measuring the exact size of your head! So your'e OK and stay up late now.

Trust BP to be looking "outside the box"

I still think the other stars might be a black degrading into chrome. Also I've had several Bells and the surrounds at least are always black, plus the two lower stars are black which makes me think it's a degrade. We get a lot of this with certain colours while others never change. Let me know - I'll do what I can. If it's not right, I'll change it. If it IS a mirror finish, it's not going to be easy. If you look at the Brewery Belll I did (linked earlier in this thread), I used a glitter mirror spray on the top glass that worked very well, but that was to replace a similar glitter finish. A plain mirror finish, I dont know - anyone else know?

coppinpr wrote:I still think the other stars might be a black degrading into chrome.

Honestly, I've now stood staring at these for far too long and there is a clear difference between the black (which hasn't degraded) to the parts that I think are chrome and have degraded. I wish you could see them close. I'll go for the chrome, but I don't know how you will do that part white, as mentioned earlier, as the coin and winnings areas are also white.

Is this the red you want? This is still an early version, nowhere near cleaned up yet.


I think what MrP is saying earlier is this isn't actually chrome but a true mirror finish, which is not doable in Photoshop. The best possible, if you want the mirror, is to leave the gaps clear and empty. This will mean leaving them white (not a problem) or removing the areas after it goes onto the glass, as you will need some sort of actual application to get the mirror. You need to decide if you want to risk this or go with another colour (green shamrocks perhaps). Advice from other members please.

When I was on the Carters Sign Writing course at the beginning of the year, one of the employees there who does a lot of the artwork on the rides and trucks, showed me a piece of work he had done using guilding on the reverse of glass to create a sign written mirror. Very effective and probably a skill and method used for things like custom advertising many years ago.

I believe the process is called Verre Eglomise, where a gelatin paste is applied to the areas to create the mirror effect and applying the silver leaf over this. Once fully covered, gently burnish this to create a mirror finish. Artwork could be applied first before starting and then protecting the whole reverse with a layer of black paint......

I forgot to take a picture of the example he had done, but you would think it was real mirror plate.....

Sounds interesting and worth googling to find out more, many thanks.

coppinpr wrote:is this the red you want?

Yes that red is excellent, thanks.

I'm very happy to hear what others think, the shamrocks would probably look good in bright green.

Here is a test piece for green shamrocks.

Green shamrocks are great, seeing as I seem to be making this my own and you're not happy with the chrome, can we then make the borders black, the shamrocks green and the threepenny bit gold on a white background (it was white anyway) but threepenny bits were never white in reality. I'm just not sure on the stars now, what do you think?

I'll see what I can do with the coin. At the moment I've left it as is because of the fractures on it. I can't tell if they are part of the design (as this coin had a broken surface) or breaks in the paintwork. I won't work on it if it damages the logo as it's a great design point, not many 3d machines around. White is not really an option as when it's printed the printer will leave it blank. A bland colour like it has now might be best. If it was me I'd leave one shamrock black and the others green, the stars definitely black, but I'll do all the shamrocks green if you want (bear in mind it takes over an hour to do each one LOL). Is the green the correct one?

Crikey I didn't realise how long it took, I'm working on my car at the moment and getting nowhere, which is such a waste of time. The green is perfect though now I've seen it, they've all got to be green now, sorry. As for the colour where it was white before and now off white, I'm not really sure and I do understand what you are saying about the coin.