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Antique Safes/Antique Safe decals/logos

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Expert: - 4/30/2009


Question
Do  you know the process used to make the decals/logos used on antique safes
I have a Reliable safe I am restoring and need a way to replicate the Reliable
logo.

Answer
Chuck,

The short answer is no.  There are no records that let us know who, why, what, where, or when that a lot of the manufacturing techniques were used or applied.  In most cases the older safes were hand painted.  All of the pin striping was hand painted pin stripping.  In some cases they used a silk screening type of process, laying down a cut out, or series of cut outs and spraying each one.  In some cases from the early 1900's on decals were used.  When decals started to be used, or who was the first company would be nothing short of a great guess.  When one safe company came up with an idea, several others would copy.  
You can see this same concept in action today.  One TV station will come out with a "cop" show, and within the next couple of months every station has their version of a "cop" show.  etc. etc. etc.

With the "short" answer out of the way, I'll see if I can't answer your question.  If you plan on using decals you will need to get some great graphics of the design that you plan on using and take them to either a graphics design artist that has the capabilities of making logos and/or decals.  Another idea is to go to one of the "SIGN" manufactures that make decals/logos for autos.  These are usually high quality decals, that can be applied to the safe.  If your safe has graphics that you want replicated - take lots of photos.  Another plan would be to lay out sheet plastic (clear) over the safe and copy the design on to the clear plastic.  This will give you a template for future reference also.

Basic idea would be to prep the body, clean, resurfaced, faired etc.  Lay down several coats of your main color, sanding between each coat for a nice finish.  Lay down your graphics, decals, pin striping and any oil paintings or art work.  When you have it the way you want it, then you are ready for clear coat.  Several coats will give you plenty of protection and a nice finish.

The original antique safes used a varnish to finish off the safe after all of the painting was complete.  This is what gives most of the older safes that slightly "yellowish" appearance.  You can also notice on the older safes, that the finish appears bubbled or cracked.  This what is known as "crazing".  It is the old varnish that needs to be removed.

Hope this gives you some answers and some ideas.

Andy

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Terry V Andreasen (Andy)

Expertise

Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 40 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer. Current Project: Restoration of two Tilton & McFarland Safes from the 1860's. Will answer Safe & Vault related questions concerning age, value, restoration, moving, opening & repairing, parts, operation and history. Note: It is not my intention to teach you to open safes or to provide information which may aid in the unlawful opening of a safe. I will not give out drill points or information which I deem inappropriate.

Experience

40 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute. Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing. Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf

Organizations
Safecrackers International and the National Antique Safe Association

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985 Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985 Factory trained by AMSEC, MAJOR, STAR, Johnson-Pacific, Kaba-MAS, Allied-Gary, ISM, Lord, Brown Safe, EXL, Mosler, Diebold.

Awards and Honors
2009, 2010 & 2011 Listed in AllExperts top 50 Experts. All Experts Categories - Safes & Security Containers, Locksmithing, Antique Safes. Retired US Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), with 32 years of total service. With numerous awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. US Navy - 1971-1981 US Army Reserve 1984-2006 US Army Retired Reserve 2006-present

Past/Present Clients
US Secret Service, FBI, BATF, Local Law enforcment agencies, Diebold, Hamilton Pacific, Red Hawk Int., Chubb International, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Mechanics Bank, El Dorado Savings Bank, many Credit unions and smaller banks. McDonalds, Togos, BurgerKing, TacoBell, Carls Jr. FoodMaxx, SaveMart, Lucky's, Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, NobHill, Bell Markets, PW Markets. Great America, Century Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, UA Cinemas, and many homeowners and small businesses. Provide warranty service for lock and safe manufactures. Service area is Northern California - Fresno to Oregon, including western Nevada

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