Non-gloss decaling

Hey, Hey... My first post. Decals, decals, decals. The most fun anyone can have building models! Anyway, as others have stated getting a decal to stick to flat paint is almost impossible due to the porosity of the paint. What I have been doing lately is using SuperScale gloss coat. I simply brush it smoothly where I want the decals and go to town. The overall SuperScale system works very well. I then seal the entire model with Testors Dull coat. If I want a dead flat finish I fully stir the jar, if i want semi gloss I simple spray without all the flattening agent mixed up. Dull coat is magic in a jar. It can save a funky paint job if done properly. Keep in mind it is a lacquer so some care must be taken.

Anyway, Good luck and welcome to the hobby.

It is doable, a few issues back from FSM I read how to.  I cant find the issue right now so sorry. The guy decaled an armor kit that way (nice build BTW). He soaked where the decals were going with decal solution and the decal was placed. He warned that this is a one shot procedure. After reading the article, I've done it a couple of times with models without elaborated small decals without any problems. No silvering whatsoever, but again, you have to land that decal where it goes with no margin for error.

Oh yes... thanks Phil.  I forgot to mention that.  I little bit important I would say

wing_nut

Just put some Future where the decal goes and apply the wet decal.  When dry wipe the area lightly with a cotton swap dampened with alcohol to remove the excess.

But don't try to remove excess Future with alcohol if you use acrylic paints, as alcohol will attack the underlying paint. It will work fine over enamels though.

As suggested, Future can be used to coat the entire model in prep for decals.  It can also be used as a setting solution for the decal.  Just put some Future where the decal goes and apply the wet decal.  When dry wipe the area lightly with a cotton swap dampened with alcohol to remove the excess.  Dullcoat and you done.

I honestly have to thank everyone who replied. This info will definately help in the future. Thank you so much!

Agree with Phil "Mr Mark Setter" and "Mr Mark Softer" will usually sort you out.

Actually, Gunze's Mr Mark Setter will allow you to apply decals to a flat painted surface without silvering.

The downside is that it acts like a dilute glue and does not give you a lot of wiggle room to position the decal after it's on the model. It also leaves a slightly glossy patch around the decal, and is best flat-coated over.

On the positive side, if a decal is a bit weak in adhesion (ie lack of glue, from either being poorly made or from over-soaking) it does suck down the decals nicely.

A glossy surface is a necessity. If you don't want to take the extra step of a clear gloss coat, the best thing you could do is to polish the area where the decal is going to go. Before I started using clear gloss, I would use a clean sock to polish the area, and I'd still cut off any clear decal film, cause it will still "silver", just not as bad as not polishing. You will need to then, do a dull coat to even out the finish. It is actually way easier to just do a clear gloss coat / decal / dull coat (it doesn't hurt to do another gloss coat after decaling, then dull coat) 

Well, you can put the decals directly on the paint. Nothing to stop you from doing that. But unless you've got magic decals, they'll silver up and look terrible.

Your other option is to put a gloss clear coat over your paint. Future floor polish has a lot of fans. Testors gloss, heck, even Krylon clear gloss will work. Once you have a nice, smooth, gloss surface, apply your decals. Then seal them with another clear coat. 

Sorry, I missed some points. What I ment to say was What can i do to decal on these paints i use. ( Testors acrylics)

                                                          GRACIAS AMIGOS!

um? i assume you mean you dont paint with gloss paints but you want your decals to look good? Use future floor polish. Then dull cote afterwards.