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Custom inkjet decal question

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  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Netherlands
Custom inkjet decal question
Posted by kermit on Sunday, September 27, 2009 4:15 AM

So i printed my first decals for a little project i'm working on... Considering i have a slightly obsolete inkjet printer i am not very unsatisfied how they came out.

The instructions from Bare Metal tell me to use a product in order to seal the decals and protect them.

Could i use future or another type of modeling varnish as an alternative? Is their (probably expensive) agent a MUST?

Richard

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Sir Winston Churchill

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: USA California
Posted by vetteman42 on Sunday, September 27, 2009 5:59 PM
Kermit I have heard that 2 misted coats of future works well, all you are really doing is sealing the ink which is not water proof at all from its soak in water to loosen the glue on the backing of the decal. The spray that came with my decal paper is just a clear gloss acrylic paint. My guess would be that any clear gloss acrylic paint would work, and would dry a whole lot faster than future will. Oh and I do use 2 misted coats of the paint also, found if I tried to do a heavy single coat the ink would run. Hope this helps ya out 

Randy So many to build.......So little time

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Netherlands
Posted by kermit on Monday, September 28, 2009 3:54 AM

Randy,

Thank you my friend. I am trying things out on a scrap model so if my method of diy market spraycan laquer wont work ill try your methodWink [;)]

Richard

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Sir Winston Churchill

  • Member since
    November 2012
Posted by dioramator on Monday, September 28, 2009 8:26 AM

 

Hi Kermit

that is exactly the step that gave me all the greif when making my own.
even though I used a laser printer, I followed the written instructions and went on to try to seal them. (the paper curled, the ink ran, and the decal would not release once it had dried) I tried with future and also with tamiya clear (from a can). after several attempts I decided to try to apply them unsealed... and that worked a treat. however they were laserprints which are waterproof.

If you have to much trouble you may be able to get waterproof inks for your printer as a last resort.

best of luck

 

  • Member since
    July 2009
Posted by hooknladderno1 on Thursday, October 1, 2009 2:59 PM

Kermit,

Although I have not tried it yet, a friend who made me a set of custom decals using an inkjet printer, said to use Krylon Kristal Klear spray.  It is available just about anywhere, and is inexpensive.  A few light mist coats and you should be good to go.  That was on my plans of things to do today but I forgot to bring the can with me to work Sad [:(].  Hopefully in the next few days...  I will let you know how it works out.

 

 

David

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Phoenix,Az
Posted by 9x19mm on Sunday, October 11, 2009 3:11 AM
Be very carefull using laquers with printed decals.  The laquer could eat the decals. Use a very light mist.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 11:28 AM
You must use a fixative with ink jet decals.  The suggestion with Krylon works, the fixative I got from one vendor was exactly that product.  Apply several light coats, letting each coat dry a bit ( a minute or two will do).  You do need several coats - I usually put on 4 or 5. I've tried it with only 2 coats and some ink ran.
  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: USA California
Posted by vetteman42 on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 11:53 AM

 waikong wrote:
You must use a fixative with ink jet decals.  The suggestion with Krylon works, the fixative I got from one vendor was exactly that product.  Apply several light coats, letting each coat dry a bit ( a minute or two will do).  You do need several coats - I usually put on 4 or 5. I've tried it with only 2 coats and some ink ran.

What product are you talking about, you dont mention the name of it. I personally have had great luck with Krylon clear acrylic using 2 or 3 misted coats

Randy So many to build.......So little time

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 12:06 PM
It's the Krylon clear acrylic that you use, I find that I need at least 3 coats but put on 4 or 5 just to make sure. But then it could simply be that my mist coats are lighter than yours on each pass.
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