Reusable Vinyl Numbers - How long do they last and how durable are they?

Hi everyone,

So I need to stop being the loser that puts painter's tape on my car at every event and get some real numbers for it.

I've been thinking about the reusable vinyl ones because I'd like to do a traditional gumball number for aesthetic reasons but I have an upper beltline trim and a significant door crease to contend with that would make it impossible to do with a magnetic one. I'm afraid it wouldn't lay flat over the door crease.

So that leads me to reusable vinyl.

Is it like the "Static Cling" stickers I'm accustomed to seeing that plaster to the inside of windows?

How "reusable" is it really?

How durable is it?

Can I expect it to last a full season and maybe 8-12 events?

Do you just store it on a backing paper?

If they wouldn't last for a whole season realistically I'll probably just stick with standard 8" magnetic numbers instead.

What if your magnetic gumball was made up of two semi circles that both met at the crease?
Would that solve the problem of the crease?

John Welsh wrote: What if your magnetic gumball was made up of two semi circles that both met at the crease? Would that solve the problem of the crease?

That's a good idea that I hadn't thought of honestly. As long as the tail end of the top half laid into the radius of the start of it well that might work. Maybe I should just order a blank magnetic sheet and test that out.

Another option is to lay a single gumball over the crease and then add a little painters tape to the leading edge as a way to cover the gap left at the crease. The intention is that the tape will keep the air from getting under the magnet and lifting off the magnet.

I have some mangelic number panels I made up in 03 still work. I even lost one in a big puddle during a rally cross. Found it when working the course. Cleaned it up and good to go.

I used my magnetic numbers for over ten years, still do on occasion.

I've used a roll of clear contact paper over printed out numbers. Cheap and easy and looks way better than tape!

I've been autoxing 15 yrs and am only on my second set of static vinyl numbers. I use windex to clean then apply. After the race I put them back on their backing in a poster board envelope. I have lost them on track day events above 100mph but the simply applied them inside on the windows which worked great.

I just bought some of this CriCut brand vinyl window cling to try for this purpose, but I haven't cut it yet so no feedback to offer.

Craft store vinyl

84FSP wrote: I've been autoxing 15 yrs and am only on my second set of static vinyl numbers. I use windex to clean then apply. After the race I put them back on their backing in a poster board envelope. I have lost them on track day events above 100mph but the simply applied them inside on the windows which worked great.

Good to know since you're in a Rabbit also right?

What company did you buy the static cling from?

They were second hand Avery Dennison material so any sign shop can crank them out for you.

Reusable vinyl numbers are like diswasher safe condoms.

I put a permanent vinyl meatball on each door of the Manic Miata, which contours through the inset pencil rib across the door. Then I put the vinyl numbers on vinyl magnetic sheet and cut them out around the outline. they span the indent with no problem. If you have a belt molding, they could be cut in half and put above and below.