Ambulance Window Sticker

Slip decal originally printed by Ruby Process, University Ave Rochester, NY

Printed with rubber rolls onto stock - interesting process to watch. Final cut was on a Clicker
Cost in 1960 was probably about $1.50.

Ruby is long gone and so are all the presses & clicker dies.
 
That's not what it says on the peel off paper on the front of the sticker.
 

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OK. I guess we bid against each other. I placed an initial bid to flag it and forgot to follow-up during work. Good thing or it just would've made it more expensive for both of us.

If you make copies - please keep me in mind. These were listed as available in the manual for the spheres, by writing to Breath-o-Life.
 
Kurt Arends said:
That's not what it says on the peel off paper on the front of the sticker.
Click to expand...

That sir is not a genuine decalomenia, it's an early vintage "cheap plastic sticker" that will bubble and curl as Solar UV attacks the adhesive. Lord I have retained far too much of the education I got at Ruby.

Stickers of 1960 vintage had short use life because available adhesives for plastic film allowed air infiltration from the edges that became bubbles as barometric effect worked its wonders. Genuine decalomenia product did not have this shortcoming and lasted to eternity and beyond firmly adhesed to the surface they were applied to.

Genuine Ruby product offered the added benefit of being able to adhese as either an inside or outside decal. Ruby product also had sharper print.
I learned so well I had part time work decaling and enameling inside small grocery windows for Wonder Bread, the goo that built strong bodies 8 ways till they found 4 additional ways.
It was honest employment.
 
Walter Suiter said:
I had part time work decaling and enameling inside small grocery windows for Wonder Bread, the goo that built strong bodies 8 ways till they found 4 additional ways.
It was honest employment.
Click to expand...

Wonder Bread = Poor man's unsweetened angel-food cake!

picture.php
 
Walter Suiter said:
That sir is not a genuine decalomenia, it's an early vintage "cheap plastic sticker" that will bubble and curl as Solar UV attacks the adhesive. Lord I have retained far too much of the education I got at Ruby.

Stickers of 1960 vintage had short use life because available adhesives for plastic film allowed air infiltration from the edges that became bubbles as barometric effect worked its wonders. Genuine decalomenia product did not have this shortcoming and lasted to eternity and beyond firmly adhesed to the surface they were applied to.

Genuine Ruby product offered the added benefit of being able to adhese as either an inside or outside decal. Ruby product also had sharper print.
I learned so well I had part time work decaling and enameling inside small grocery windows for Wonder Bread, the goo that built strong bodies 8 ways till they found 4 additional ways.
It was honest employment.
Click to expand...

Walter,
Does anyone still make the style of decal that you refer to? I wouldn't even attempt to use this one. Would the vinyl door graphics that FastSigns.com sells work as an option?
 
Last edited:
Kurt Arends said:
Walter,
Does anyone still make the style of decal that you refer to? I wouldn't even attempt to use this one. Would the vinyl door graphics that FastSigns.com sells work as an option?
Click to expand...

Ruby is long gone, and the only water slides I'm aware of are now computer printed on a stock that supposedly is equal to the old material.
I can't say for certain because I haven't held any of them in my hands.

Water slide to my understanding was a process originated in France in the 19th century and improved until it became no longer cost competitive in the 80s. Vinyl and other materials had become a lot better and more importantly the adhesives.

In fairness I'll also say I have a fellow a couple miles from me who got into computer cut vinyl and Skotchbrite back in the 80s and makes some labels that are probably as good as waterslides in most respects. I don't like the thickness compared to water slide though. That may not make a difference in your job. I've been watching one set on glass since 90 that are still in place and in tact exhibiting quite good wear, including wind abrasion. One of his customers for years has been a garbage hauler and the product has stood up well in that application which includes pressure washing.

Vinyl stock like real Formica is a multilayer material with the top layer being similar in purpose and nature to clear coat on a vehicle. Over time (years) this layer does fog for want of a better descriptor.
The second shortcoming to computer cut vinyl is the sharp edge with no clear protection to resist water etc.

One big advantage to current vinyl is the cutter's ability to produce a large multipiece label on a single backer sheet that saves a lot of work applying it.

In 2020 I'll grudgingly say vinyl can be almost as good as a water slide.. Hey, I'm an opinionated old fart. We've got adhesives today that hold jet airliners together so sticking vinyl on a car is certainly doable.

If you want to take it to the next level I can still remember how to do gold leaf inside a window and I can probably do the shadow as well if my hands can hold the brush.

Suggestion, there may be a couple guys doing waterslides for the antique engine collectors. If there are you'll be able to locate them on a site called SmokStak.com.
Whoever you choose to deal with be absolutely sure they'll deliver water slides.
 
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