how to apply decals?

Hi, fran-shoes:
I'm new here too, so welcome to the forum. I have built lots of kits over the years, and decals can be the best or the worst part of building. If they don't go on right, they can ruin a perfectly good model. First thing is the surface. It has to be smooth, or the decals won't settle right. I've actually had the best results by airbrushing a coat of Floquil RR Flat Finish (110015) on after painting, before removing any masks on the clear parts. It sounds strange, but it's worked for me for several years now. The Flat FInish is really smooth and slick after drying (and not actually dead flat either, more like a sort of satin), so it provides a nice surface. Some modelers spray on a coat of Future floorwax--never tried that. Anyway, you do need some kind of smooth coat for the decals to go on. Let this clear coat dry for a day or two, then begin decaling. But some decal setting solutions; there are a number available. Soak your decal in water; then brush some setting solution onto the model where the decal will go. I use Micro-Set for this. Then position the decal on the model and then use a small paint brush to spread more setting solution on top of the decal; I usually begin with Micro-Set here, too. Then go away and leave it alone. If you mess with it before the decal dries, you'll only come to grief. Sometimes you'll need a stronger setting solution to settle the decal. I use Micro-Sol for that, after the Micro-Set, but use it sparingly; too much can permanently mar the paint surface. Then after a day, use water and wash the decal area to get rid of any deposits from the setting solutions and the adhesive from the decals. Last, you need a final coat of flat (or gloss) clear finish to seal the decals and blend the finish with the rest of the model. Also be aware that some decals are just bad and won't work no matter what you do with them or to them. Some decals will curl up as soon as you get them out of the water. Some won't curl up--until you put on setting solution. This usually happens only with kit decals; aftermarket decals are more reliable, generally. It really takes experimentation and practice. In fact, I usually begin decaling with the decals I have duplicates for, from other kits--just in case something goes wrong. Good luck and let us know how it goes!