Best rattlecan varnish for homemade decals?

[steelpillow]

I have printed some decals and now need to varnish them before cutting out and applying.

Printed using Mr. Decal paper and Epson colour-fast inks. When in place, the model will be brush-coated with Winsor & Newton Galeria.

Last time I had a problem with the varnish "spotting" in little blobs rather than settling down smooth. I am assuming that this was because the paper is porous, so the solvent gets sucked down before the splatted droplets can merge. It's especially noticeable when you have a glossy final finish.

Has anybody had better results with some other brand of spray can?

[Rick Brown]

Have you tried Microscale Liquid Decal Film?

You brush it on with a wide, soft brush.

works for me when using laser decal paper.

Rick.

[Black Knight]

I prefer a rattle can as in the past I found brushing anything on smudged the ink.

I've used Humbrol acrylic matt varnish and car lacquer spray. I mist one coat on, let that set/flash off, then do a second heavier coat, put on at 90 degrees to the first. Works for me.

[Paul J]

Halfords clear lacquer! Same brand as thier primers we all use. I have used it succesfully on laser printed decals. The likes of CanMilair or other home made decals. Even rescued old ones!

Worth practiising with.

[viscount806x]

Halfords clear lacquer! Same brand as thier primers we all use. I have used it succesfully on laser printed decals. The likes of CanMilair or other home made decals. Even rescued old ones!

Worth practiising with.

Me too, and I've tried the otherstuff mentioned with mixed results. The car lacquer beats them all hands down, on inkjet decals anyway, probably because the varnish is dry before any image deterioration can happen. The only thing you have to watch is building it up too thickly.

Nige B

[flyingpiggy]

Just discovered Halfords, without the benefit of using the others mentioned it has worked on inkjet printed decals for me and has rescued old decals too. Just follow Black Knights Tip and spray 12-18 inches away to prevent " pooling"

Cheers Piggy

[Alpha Delta 210]

Another vote for Halfords Clear Lacquer from me.

[steelpillow]

Tried Halford's clear lacquer on a couple of test pieces. First time I was a wuss and it didn't cover properly, came out spotty. Second time I went gung-ho and it came out with a slight meniscus (curl down at the edges due to its thickness) but dried brilliant. On the model I tried in between but it's still a bit spotty, no better than any other brand. If I go gung-ho, experience tells me it will run and create little ridges and blobs at the bottom.

Is there a secret to this stuff?

[Steve Noble]

The Microscale Liquid Decal Film, although brushed, will not smudge any ink, even from an inkjet printer. I've used it on all of my home made decals and it works every time. It dries in a matter of seconds and can be re-coated shortly after. It was designed purely for rejuvenating old cracked decals or for sealing new ones. You can use it with confidence.

[alan1302]

Tried Halford's clear lacquer on a couple of test pieces. First time I was a wuss and it didn't cover properly, came out spotty. Second time I went gung-ho and it came out with a slight meniscus (curl down at the edges due to its thickness) but dried brilliant. On the model I tried in between but it's still a bit spotty, no better than any other brand. If I go gung-ho, experience tells me it will run and create little ridges and blobs at the bottom.

Is there a secret to this stuff?

Yes, don't be a wuss and don't be gung ho!

Give it a few coats - think I did 3 last time when I did some decals. Thinner layers are better than trying to get it all done in a oneer.

[oggy4624]

If you can get hold of games workshop's purity seal, pre heat to 20c by putting the can in water and shake really well.

I have tried halfords but found the nozzle sprayed too heavy a coat, the GW nozzle is finer and gives a more even spray.