[Simple FAQ, version 05/25/01]
What are the differences between the restoration kits' stickers and the originals? Are there any advantages or disadvantages?
The most notable difference is that you need to cut the stickers out yourself. While this adds to the work involved in restoring the toy, it insures that the owner is in control of where the stickers are cut. A common problem with the original sheets is that sometimes the printing and cutting alignment may be offset, causing the printing on many stickers to be going off the side of the sticker when it isn't supposed to. The Restoration Kit eliminates this problem, as the stickers can be cut out as precisely (or imprecisely) as one decides it to be cut.The kits include versions of factory applied stickers that are not present on the toy's original sticker sheet. Some stickers are simply not available on the original sticker sheet, like Megatron's chest sticker, the Decepticon Jet's wing stickers, Bluestreak's "Fairlady Z" tail light stickers, and Smokescreen's "38" stickers. The stickers that were seemingly irreplaceable can now be replaced with the restoration kit stickers!
In some cases, extra stickers or sticker variations are included for your customizing pleasure. For instance, the Decepticon Jets come with 3 different colors of eyes in 2 different shapes (toy style and tv-style). Smokescreen and Thrust's kits come with a bonus "cool" sticker to take advantage of the extra space on their sticker sheets.
For the metallic sheets, the surface of the restoration stickers are slick, tough, and wear-resistant. Minor fingernail scratches that would mar ordinary stickers bounce harmlessly off of the slicker, thicker surface. They are also resist incidental moisture. In very rare cases, the thicker quality of the stickers may cause transformation to be tighter.
The sheets have an attractive, metallic appearance for the characters who have metallic stickers. Also, the printing quality is generally higher than the originals. Blurriness, color misalignment and graininess found on the original stickers are not present in the restoration kit sheets. Some collectors may prefer to have the imperfections, but these kits are sure to please if your priority is to make your Transformers look their very best.
How much do they cost? What is included?
The cost of a kit varies depending on how many sheets it takes to make up a set of stickers for a particular character. For example, Bluestreak only takes up one sheet, while Starscream takes up 3; Therefore Starscream's kit costs more than Bluestreak's. The kits are priced according to the amount of materials neccesary to make the kit, and that's all I'm charging for, anyway :) Prices range from $6 for a small single sheet to $44 for a large multi-sheet set. Please see the "ordering" section or the individual product sections for detailed pricing information.Each of the kits made for specific characters comes with a full-color application map with photo references from the box and/or manual (when possible). Tips for application along with suggestions or comments on each character's stickers are also included.
How much does shipping cost?
For smaller orders, shipping is 55 cents for orders within the U.S. Shipping is *88 cents* to Canada. See the section below for other countries.If you are in Canada, PLEASE tell me when ordering. Standard airmail orders are sent in a regular envelope via regular air mail. I haven't had any problems sending this way yet, but keep in mind that I can't be held responsible for anything that happens once I send an uninsured package. For orders totaling over $30, I recommend Priority Mail shipping which is $5 per order within the U.S; ($3.20 for USPS Priority mail and $1.80 for insurance) Because these kits can potentially cost a lot and take so much effort to produce, it's a good idea for larger orders. Packages are usually taken better care of when they are insured, so the extra cost is worth it! Also, I get to put everything into a box, which can withstand a lot more abuse than an envelope :)
International orders: Please email me with your address. Generally, standard airmail costs around $2.00 for international orders. Sometimes it's more or less, but it's a good ballpark figure, and I'll eat the extra if it isn't that much more. International customers, please make sure that payment is made in the form of a money order negotiable in the U.S. Cash via registered mail is also okay (for international customers), but please be sure to tell me ahead of time first. Special thanks goes out to my distant international customers in England, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and New Zealand! You guys are great!
One last thing... Orders totaling over $100 get free priority mail/insured shipping! (discounted shipping if international)
What kind of payment is accepted?
At the moment, postal money orders are my preferred means of payment, though if you have no other way I can also accept a standard money order that may be obtainable at a supermarket, bank, convenience store, etc. - though it might take an extra day or two for me to process. Last year, someone had written me a bad check which destroyed my bank account, which is why I cannot support paypal at the moment. Postal money orders can be easily obtained at any US Post Office. They are green and orange in color. Cash is also acceptable, though I cannot be held responsible for any tampering that may occur in transit. Do not send coins! Please make sure that any payments are reasonably concealed.Canadian customers should use postal money orders that are negotiable in the US, in US Dollars (they are pink/orange in color).
International customers can either pay via postal money order or send cash via registered mail (it should be well concealed). Any time cash is sent via mail, precautions should be taken so that it will not be stolen or tampered with. Money transfer (Western Union) is also an option.
Can I order individual sheets?
Yes, in most cases. Most sheets you see can be ordered at $6 each. There are a few exceptions; Hound, Jetfire, Evil Jetfire, VF-1S Valkyrie, Starscream's Ghost, and the Decepticon Jet sheets which are $8-$10, and mini sheets that may be $2 or $3. (see individual sections for specific pricing) The color instruction sheet/application map is not included with single sheets. The pictures of each set with multiple sheets will have a notation next to each sheet ("SND-1" for example). Be sure to specify exactly which sheets you need, and how many of each you want.How long does it take for an order to be processed/delivered?
Most orders are processed within 1-3 weeks of receiving payment. The last few months, it's become impractical to keep a "stock" of every type of kit that I make. So instead, I do a print run about once every 2 weeks. This means I'll never really "run out" of a particular kit. Depending on when I receive payment and when I do my print run determines how long it will take before the kit is sent. Sometimes kits go out the day I receive the payment, sometimes it takes a few days. In any case, if a payment has been sent and you are wondering about the status of your order, just give me an e-mail and I'll let you know. It's been pretty crazy lately, so please be patient and I'll email you back as soon as I can. Thanks!How do I get the old stickers off my toy?
Generally, I try to remove what I can carefully, by hand. I use a piece of sticky tape to get rid of the remaining residue by lifting it off. Skilled fingernails can do a great job without the aid of chemicals. Don't be afraid to put a little effort into your restorations :) I have heard of people using some solvents such as "goo gone" but I have not used these personally and have found that certain chemicals will take the color from paint, plastic and existing decals. Be sure to carefully test any techniques or chemicals on disposable specimens before trying them on your valuable toys. I assume no responsibility for any damage that may be caused.