Decal Edges and Weathering... Need Input

One method is to trim right to the printed edge, but that is not possible with something like stencils or if it is really small.   Though not perfect, it makes it less noticeable.

The other method invloves some elbow grease.  Once the decal has set, brush both it and the  surrounding area with future acrylic clear.  Let it dry, and then lightly sand until the sheen has disappeared.  The edge will remain shiney, but that's okay.  Essentially what you will be doing is repeating this until the layers build up and you'll have a smooth transition from decal edge to model surface.

regards,

Jack

I kill the sheen on decals applied to what is a glossed flat paint area by airbrushing a thin coat of the underlying paint over the decal.  This reduces contrast and makes the decal look weathered.  It also reduces the visibility of the edge.

I have a love-hate relationship with some of the new, ultra-thin decals.  You don't see the edge, but they sure can be hard to apply.  Even putting the backing paper on the model surface and sliding out the paper, the decals seem to stretch, and get distorted.

A good decal-setting solution will be a big help. Repeat apps a few times, but once the solution is brushed on, dont touch it for a day or so. It may look like crap after 3 hours, but by hour 24, it should have settled into the paint. Trimming the clear parts is great and the Future idea sounds good too, as long as you go light with some very fine SP. Then, of course, you can go hardcore and mask and airbrush your own emblems, but that's tough.

Keep us posted.