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Several decal questions

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  • Member since
    June 2009
Several decal questions
Posted by jimbot58 on Friday, May 28, 2010 3:28 AM

I will try not to drag this out too much, but here is the basic problem: Many of my earlier efforts on my builds, I was inexperienced at proper application and the surface preparation for decals. Many of them ended up being badly silvered! (I'm so much better at it now!) So......

1. Can decals be stripped without destroying the underlying paint?

2. Can a clear gloss coat (Testors lacquer is my choice - sorry all you Future users) be sprayed over an existing dull coat to re-establish a gloss surface for decals?

The other issue is this: a couple of them are small 1/144th scale aircraft and unless you are looking for decals for airliners or a C-130, there is no after-market for this scale. Is it possible copy a set of decals from a 1/72nd scale sheet, and reduce it by half? And if so, what kind of computer/printer would work for this? I am, sadly, stuck with a very old computer and a inexpensive scanner/printer.

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, May 28, 2010 8:58 AM

I'll tackle the second question.  Yes, that is the method many of us use for creating a gloss surface for the decals.  Once the decals are in place a coat of Dullcoat makes it dull again and blends the decal into the finish very nicely.

Since I use primarily enamels and lacquers in my finishes I have been reluctant to use Future.

Also, for very small decals I have brushed on Glosscoat from the bottle to create a good surface for the small decal.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, May 28, 2010 6:24 PM

Yes decals can be stripped without destroying the underlying paint. There are a few methods you can use. One is to use tape to pull up each individual decal, although sometimes this leaves small pieces behind. Scoth clear magic type tape works great for this as I have found out accidentally when using it for canopy masks during an error in the removal process. Or you can coat each decal with liberal amounts of micro set or micro sol and scrub it up carefully with a small toothbrush. In both methods a top sealing coat should not have been applied over the decals.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Saturday, May 29, 2010 9:13 PM

I just didn't know if Glosscoat could be used over an existing Glosscoat/Dullcoat base. I have had issues with Dullcoat not sticking well to the Gloss coat.

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, May 30, 2010 10:51 AM

jimbot58

I just didn't know if Glosscoat could be used over an existing Glosscoat/Dullcoat base. I have had issues with Dullcoat not sticking well to the Gloss coat.

Never had any problem mysef with either type sticking to either itself or the other.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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