Applying Decals

I trim them as close to the actual decal as posible. Then put a bit of Future where it's going and apply the decal. After applying it I use a paper towel to soak up any excess water and future and weather with the rest of the vehichle. Normally I dry brush some of the tank color over the decal to knock some of the remaining shine off and show some wear on it. If it goes over some kind groove work it into it gently before drying it off and touch it up a bit afterwards. Thats my way anyways.

I normaly paint my markings, but that's mostly because I work at small scales and feel that the decal film is often too thick, and therefore quite visible over the surface of the vehicle. Dry-transfers are good for titles and white stars. If I do use any decals, I'll use the technique described above by Chris.

So you apply the future, aloowing it to dry, and then add the wet decal?

I put the decal on while it is still wet. Of coarse that may be just my lack of patience also.

No, that's the way to do it, Chris.

Well at least I guessed right on that one! I just figured it worked so why change it.

Okay, now let's see if I have it straight...
Wet the decal with water [as usual] and apply to an area coated with Future while the future is still wet as well? Right?

I've never gotten great results with decals in the past so that is why I am being so thoughrough. Plus I keep hearing about all of these different products for applying decals.

That would be correct. and then dab up the excess water and future then weather as needed.

Cool! Thanks! I can't wait to try it. Thank you oh great modeling Gurus!

What I usually do is:
- give a gloss coat to the whole model. This helps with selective washing and decal application
- dip the decals in warm water for 20-30 secs
- take the decal out f the water (still with its paper backing) and put it onto a paper tissue for a few seconds
- wet the area where the decal has to go wit a bit of plain water
- slip the decal from its support and then position it properly on the model
- with a humid cotton swab I remove the excess of water, gently rolling it over the decal. This helps to have a better decal adhesion and to remove air bubbles from underneath the decal.
- once throughly dry I apply another coat of acrylic gloss varnish to seal the decal
- once dry I coat it with matt varnish to finish the weathering.

This is with gloss undercoat and overcoat:



This is the final result:

[:0] Nice!
So it started out matt first? Did you add the panel lines before or after the gloss coat?

Looks like your meathod works pretty nicely too Fabio.
i tried useing a q-tip that i applied the future with on my panther to work the decal into the zimmeret. Worked real good except the it left a few strands of cotton that had to be delicatly removed.

This hummer i'm building [which is molded in tan] will be painted flat white. Should I preshadow it by painting a base of flat blask or should i just grey primer it?

I usually start the weathering immediately after applying the decals. Doing as I do, as you can see, ends in having the decals that are virtually invisible and looking almost like being painted on the model. The gloss coat helps a lot in having the wash flowing very well. I use an oil/enamel wash on acrylic gloss and acryl wash on ename gloss. In the most part of the cases I use Future. Once I'm done with the wash (I only do selective washes) I coat wit matt varnish to give drybrush and pastels...

I usually do the future trick mentioned above by LQ just where the decal is going to go , and he like myself is very impatient so they go over wet future ( bet they didn't have that in mind when the first made that product huh ?!) then if the decal is not setting flat hit it with a chemical known as solvaset ( which will soften it and make it conform to the details ). I used that on my ZIMMED tank not thinking it would work well enough , but they sunk right down in there after 3 coats.

Solveset is added before or after it dries?

I always apply solvaset after as it literally melts the decals almost on contact ( so you cannot even attempt to move them after ) they just fall apart .... so just hit em' one time after you have them where ya want them ,,,, let that dry , and if it is still not right , hit it again!

To be honest I never used any decal setting solution...