SteveR Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 (edited) I will soon finish painting my model (Revell Enterprise NCC1701 (TOS)) and I'm starting to think about decals. I've seen some excellent tips on applying decals in these forums, but I haven't come across anything about surface preparation that answered my nagging doubts/confusion. I've read that I should apply them to a glossy surface, "It is vitally important to have a gloss or semi-gloss surface to apply the decals. If the model is painted with matt/flat paints, then the surface needs to have a couple of thin coats of gloss varnish". So, I already have some 'Revell Clear Matt Acrylic Spray', that I was planning to use to give the model a final protective coat, I chose Matt because I didn't want the model to look too shiny. But it sounds like I would need to use a glossy coat before applying the decals, and then finish with the Matt coat? Would 'Humbrol Gloss Varnish Modellers Spray' be suitable for this purpose? Thanks for any help/tips Edited February 27, 2017 by SteveR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Avoid Humbrol enamel varnish as it turns yellow in a very short time. Humbrol acrylic gloss varnish is fine. I'd gloss up the paintwork, apply decals, then another coat of gloss to lock them on then the final matt varnish 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenshirt Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 If you can find this stuff at your local Sainsbury or Tesco it works very well. It will last quite a long time and can be brushed or airbrushed, no thinning needed. Having it shipped makes it too expensive. I'm still using my bottle I purchased over ten years ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveR Posted February 27, 2017 Author Share Posted February 27, 2017 Thanks guys, I think I'm all 'clear' now.. (weak) pun intended 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savenosouls Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Guys another option is as follows:- https://www.hollowayhouse.net/product/quick-shine-multi-surface-floor-finish/ It is made in the USA - so presumably available there - in the UK you can get it from Lakeland - shiner than a very shiny thing and suck decals down no end! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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