Can I sand down my lacquer clear coats over decals?

JimLo

Hi It’s a custom 70’s van with retro decals and flames. I want the decals to look painted on so it shouldn’t show decal edges. I want to be able to polish the clear coat a little ultimately. I think I’ll test Wet-sand a small section of the decal with 2000 grit sand paper to see how it does and then apply two or three more coats of lacquer clear over it and hopefully it will be smooth enough for me to use compound and then wax over it.

 

Ok, well keep the sanding light not much down pressure. I suspect you will find my other post somewhat accurate. I'll be surprised if a single sanding and recoat is sufficient but ya never know. Let us know how you make out. We all learn through these kinds of events !!

I buried decals on a dragster model using enamel. Won't do that again. It looked beautiful right up till the clear coat yellowed over some years time.. That model should be around here someplace but I seem to have lost it. It's 40 or so years old now where ever it is. Of course all FWIW.

Hi It’s a custom 70’s van with retro decals and flames. I want the decals to look painted on so it shouldn’t show decal edges. I want to be able to polish the clear coat a little ultimately. I think I’ll test Wet-sand a small section of the decal with 2000 grit sand paper to see how it does and then apply two or three more coats of lacquer clear over it and hopefully it will be smooth enough for me to use compound and then wax over it.

I guess about now it would be wise of us to ask just what effect it is you want to occomplish. Since we're here handing off techniques but not really knowing the result you want. The information given is you decaled a van. Well there are all kinds of vans out there, so maybe shoot us a message as to what it is you are doing. Camo, custom, military, civilian etc.....

I fade decals by airbrushing a very light coat of the paint I used under the decal.  If it is over camouflage, however, I use white to represent chalking.  Certainly a case of less is more, however- go very light.

If you're trying for the look of the decal art to be buried under the clear then keep going lol !! In custom work you need to build in layers and lightly scuff between coats. Actually two coats is a good start towards about 6 or even more if they go on thin. Again, let dry, very lightly scuff, then the next double coat etc. Eventually you will get to that point where you can buff it up to a nice clear polished finish. Course it helps if you used a decal solvent after laying on the decals so they lay down as absolutely flat and thin as possible.

 

I wouldn't go stronger than about 4 or 5000 grit, and then with a very light touch.  Take one quick pass and examine surface with magnifier.

 

It wouldn't hurt to add more coats, too. Lacquer coats go on very thin.

As Chck says, go with somthing very mild. I think i would only use polishing cloths on it which have a very fine grit.

I think there is an extremely high chance of ruining your decals.  Unless you can get a spare set of replacement decals, I don't think you should attempt this.  If you do try anything, I would suggest a very mild abrasive, such as toothpaste, and lots of patience.  Good luck!