Lionel J-36 Label Restoration

[K9ZMD]

My newly-acquired 1942 Lionel J-36 bug has a legible & nearly-intact celluloid label, but it has become distorted over the years. Only the middle pin now holds it in place, and each end has curled, so it looks sort of like this:

(___/

I'm sure that others have dealt with this problem, too, so I'm looking for the benefit of your past experience. Is there any process that will flatten the celluloid label without breaking it or destroying the printing?

[K9STH]

Sometimes, if you can get it away from your wife, use the hand iron that is used to "iron" wrinkly clothes. Put a couple of layers of cloth over the item, put the iron on a fairly low heat level, and then carefully "iron" the piece.

I have saved a few things doing this. However, it the iron is too hot, you may destroy the item. Therefore, start with a pretty low heat level and increase in very small steps if the iron is not hot enough.

Glen, K9STH

[W9GB]

Gary,

Good news, Tom Perera, W1TP did a professional scan of a good Lionel J-36 label
So you can print and laminate a replacement, as needed.
http://www.chss.montclair.edu/~pererat/telegraph.html

GIF image of Lionel J-36 label
http://www.chss.montclair.edu/~pererat/7935.gif

Tom's suggestions for fabrication
http://www.chss.montclair.edu/~pererat/mj36lbl.htm

7923.jpg

[K9ZMD]

Thank you, Glen and Greg, for the information & referral to W1TP's web site. Current thinking is:

Plan A - remove & flatten the label to perfection (I can hope, right?).

Plan B - remove the label, fit its little pieces together like a puzzle, then stick them down on a thin backing sheet.

Plan C - follow the lead from W1TP's site: scan the assembled label, edit to fill the cracks, then print & laminate.

Plan D - Take the path of least resistance: just use the scan from W1TP's site, but shop my bug's serial number into it.