Applying decals

People have asked me how do I apply decals. This is how I do it-

1. The model should be painted with a gloss finish. I use Scalecoat. A flat finish like Floquil is rough and the decal may not snuggle down (on a minute level) and when you overcoat you will get fogging. The paint should be FULLY DRY before you decal. paints can be dry to the touch but be still curing underneath.
2. Cut a piece that you want out. I start with a larger piece. You can use either fine scissors or a knife with straight edge. Completely immerse in room temperature water for 20-30 seconds. the decal will still be on the paper at this time. put the paper & decal on the model next to where you want to apply it. Wait another minute. Put a puddle of water where you want the decal to be.

   

   If the surface has texture to it you could make this puddle with Microscale Decal Set but that will soften the decal more. Slide the decal off the paper onto the puddle. use a dull stick such as the end of a paintbrush to move the decal around. remove the paper. There should be no air bubbles. Use the corner of a paper towel or tissue to soak-up the excess water. Poke the decal into the final position and squeeze out air bubbles.  let it dry for 20 minutes- 1/2 hour.

   

3. The first piece is now loosely attached. if it’s crooked now is the time to add a drop of water and move it. Otherwise, if you’re doing numbers  apply the next number. When doing numbers I start in the center and work outwards.

   

4. Once the side is completed gently brush on  some Decal Set. When this is dry- 1/2 hour you can flip the car over and do the other side. Then let the whole thing dry overnight or at least an hour.
5. Now it’s completely dry and you can check how the snuggling down has progressed.
6. If the car side is tongue & groove siding, take  a fresh razor blade and cut the decal in the grooves.

   

   Use a pin to open up air bubbles. Then gently brush on Microscale Decal Sol on the decals. This is more active than decal set so don’t touch after applying Decal Sol.

7. Repeat 5. 6. & 7. until the decal is DOWN. Then  wait over night.
8. The final thing is to spray Dulcoat over top. Dulcoat can be mixed with glosscoat for a semiglos finish if that is desired.

Problens? Typical problems are:

1. A white residue around the decal – seen in steps 5,6 or 7. The water you’re using has too many minerals.  Get some distilled water for future use. This time use a q-tip to wipe the residue away before you overspray.
2. Decal looks perfect until you overspray and then a white fog appears. – you didn’t listen to my admonition about glosy finish before decalling.
3. Decal disintegrates into small pieces when wetted. Like Humpty Dumpty you can’t put it back together again. – the clear decal film has lost it’s flexibility, usually due to age, and has cracked. If it’s one of my sets contact me and I’ll replace it. if it’s somebody else’s decals test a part yo’re not going to use and if it fails, coat the decal with Microscale Liquid Decal Film before putting it into water.

Yes it takes time but if you line up a couple projects at the same time it reduces the waiting. Other people have success with other methodology this is just how I do it.

Allen