Big Decal Problem

Thanks guys, I was able to cut out the decal and come up with a decent background color that works pretty good (Tamiya Dark Blue).  I will definitely try the future thing next time.  I'm not sure why the decals were set up to cover the entire vertical stabilizer, it would have made more sense (to me!) to just provide an FS number on the background and make the decal the white, yellow and orange markings for the squadron logo.  Here's what the decal looks like, the difference on the one I'm working with is that there is a horizontal orange stripe at the top with CAG written in dark blue (I'm doing an F/A-18C, the image below is an E but the logo hadn't changed much when this was painted).  Thanks for all the help!

Groot

RobGroot4, I'm thinking along the same lines as daiguma. You said you first applied Future, then let it dry several days, right? I apply decals using Future when it's wet. Apply one coat and let it just start getting tacky. Then, after soaking the decal in water, I apply more Future to the model and immediately slide the wet decal to the wet Future. Keeping a fine brush wet with Future, I position the decal and push out bubbles, moving rather quickly as the Future will get tacky pretty quick. Once the decal is positioned, I use a larger brush with Future and go over the entire decal then leave it alone.

This method acts as both a decal application solution and decal set simultaneously and once dry, it's never going anywhere!

Try using the Future for your setting solution. As it dries it will suck tight to the surface and no silvering

Thanks for the help!  If I'm going to have to attempt to match paint (I was really hoping to avoid this), I think I may try carving the decal up and see if I can get the background dark blue close enough to work with.  

I tried pushing down with the first set after they were shot (since they were, might as well experiment a little right!) and that is definitely beyond me!

Thank you!

I have had this problem with larger bumps and not too flexible decals. I have resorted to making star shaped cuts over the bump.  When I finally get the decal down, however, this leaves marks uncovered by the decal, so you have to match paint and paint the bump.

When to press down on decal with something like a Q-tip is tricky.  Some folks say never press down or touch decal after applying solvent, but sometimes you have to!  You need to wait a few minutes, and the right time is critical.  Wait too long and you may damage decal.  This is one of those things you learn by experience.

Any chance you could paint the background color and then trim the decal smaller?