Savenosouls Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Hi all - new to all this stuff (well as an adult anyway!) - need some advice re decals. I have completed an Airfix Mx Pr XIX 1/72 Spitfire I have some Humbrol Matt varnishy stuff and Decal Fix - question is - Should I put the decals on before the varnish or after? Any advice humbly and greatfully recieved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilneBay Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Hi all - new to all this stuff (well as an adult anyway!) - need some advice re decals. I have completed an Airfix Mx Pr XIX 1/72 SpitfireI have some Humbrol Matt varnishy stuff and Decal Fix - question is - Should I put the decals on before the varnish or after? Any advice humbly and greatfully recieved. Well if you have painted it the final colours you will need to now give it a gloss clear coat (Future polish or equivalent) then after that has dried to an even gloss finish, apply the decals (the gloss stops silvering) then after the decals are set apply the final Matt cote. That way the camo and decals have the same sheen or lack thereof. Personally I always bed my decals down in Future now rather than using decal setting solutions because it works just as well and eliminates all silvering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savenosouls Posted September 8, 2010 Author Share Posted September 8, 2010 Well if you have painted it the final colours you will need to now give it a gloss clear coat (Future polish or equivalent) then after that has dried to an even gloss finish, apply the decals (the gloss stops silvering) then after the decals are set apply the final Matt cote. That way the camo and decals have the same sheen or lack thereof.Personally I always bed my decals down in Future now rather than using decal setting solutions because it works just as well and eliminates all silvering. Thanks for the info - can't get the "old" Klear anywhere local sadly (only the new stuff) Will have a go. (I have 2 goes at things - I built 2 kits, in the differing colour schemes - so have 2 full sets of decals!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Rogers Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I think the new Klear is OK. Jonners of this Parish did an in depth item on it, and found it fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcooljules Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 yes you want a nice shiney surface, nice gloss......then you put the decals on, and as others have said you can use a decal solvent to soften and make them snug down....its things you learn as you go along. not heard about the new klear, i still have lots of the old ones left! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savenosouls Posted September 8, 2010 Author Share Posted September 8, 2010 I can feel some experimenting in the pipeline! Thanks for your advice - my models are nowhere near some of the pieces if art I've seen on here - but they are a lot better than I managed 30 years ago!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcooljules Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 I can feel some experimenting in the pipeline! Thanks for your advice - my models are nowhere near some of the pieces if art I've seen on here - but they are a lot better than I managed 30 years ago!! i just wish when i started 16 years ago i had the web and access to books and advice, made so many mistakes and kept making them cos i had no one to ask to point out or show me my mistakes... im still a crap modellers but get more enjoyment out of it cos i keep learning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Decals should always be laid onto a glossy surface, to prevent silvering. Matt surfaces have millions of tiny imperfections that scatter the light and give the matt effect, but those imperfections are also brilliant for trapping tiny bubbles of air when you apply a decal. When everything dries out, it makes the clear carrier film look silver, hence the term Gloss surfaces don't have those bubble traps, so you're a LOT less likely to trap air and silver. Get yourself a few different grades and brands of decal softener, as some decals respond better to some types and not others. Put a dot of it under your decal, smooth it down and then apply a light wash of solution with a soft brush over the top. Leave it a short while, then apply some pressure to the decal (I roll a cotton bud over it) to expel any fluid and air. Then leave it until it dries - stronger solutions may make your decal wrinkle up while it's drying. Resist the urge to fiddle with it as it'll dry out nice and flat in the end... honest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Just noticed this was in the wrong place, so I've moved it for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micha Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Get yourself a few different grades and brands of decal softener, as some decals respond better to some types and not others. Put a dot of it under your decal, smooth it down and then apply a light wash of solution with a soft brush over the top. Leave it a short while, then apply some pressure to the decal (I roll a cotton bud over it) to expel any fluid and air. Then leave it until it dries - stronger solutions may make your decal wrinkle up while it's drying. Resist the urge to fiddle with it as it'll dry out nice and flat in the end... honest! that's exactly my way, Mike And it works great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savenosouls Posted September 8, 2010 Author Share Posted September 8, 2010 Experimentation it is then this weekend - may have to make do with new "klear" and humbrol decal fix. The board here has been an amazing reference for tools & tips - Sorry for posting in the wrong section (I'll get there eventually!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 The board here has been an amazing reference for tools & tips - Sorry for posting in the wrong section (I'll get there eventually!!) Glad to hear it Everyone's entitled to one mis-post when they're new Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Experimentation it is then this weekend - may have to make do with new "klear" and humbrol decal fix.The board here has been an amazing reference for tools & tips - Sorry for posting in the wrong section (I'll get there eventually!!) I have used KLEAR both as the gloss coat and for decal fixing... if you look at my Hellcat (link in my sig or it is somewhere on the aircraft ready for insepction thread) you will see how it came out (and as I am hjamfisted, if I can use it anyone can) rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savenosouls Posted September 9, 2010 Author Share Posted September 9, 2010 (edited) I have used KLEAR both as the gloss coat and for decal fixing... if you look at my Hellcat (link in my sig or it is somewhere on the aircraft ready for insepction thread) you will see how it came out (and as I am hjamfisted, if I can use it anyone can)rob I'm not worthy as they say!!!!! Amazing builds!!! Sadly cant get any Klear - but hey it's my first build!!! Learn from your mistakes!!! (and I have made a lot) - Decals are going on tonight or over the weekend using the Humbrol Decal Fix - any suggestions on the use of it? (Girlfriend is being despatched on a trawl of some shops in the West End of Glasgow next week on an "Original" Klear hunt!) Edited September 9, 2010 by Savenosouls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Klear isn't a panacea for all men ya know - it can be a PITA if you're not used to it. I use it, and so do probably 50-70% of us, but a lot of others can't get on with it - it's a personal thing. Some people just use their favourite brand of gloss clear varnish, and decal setting solutions - it's entirely up to you. Whatever works best in your experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakingModelsAgain Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 (edited) This is where I got mine and there are others available although they do vary in price quite a bit! ebay linky for Klear Edited December 9, 2010 by MakingModelsAgain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnerboy Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 (edited) im still a crap modellers but get more enjoyment out of it cos i keep learning! IMO thats what it's all about....enjoyment! Edited December 9, 2010 by sinnerboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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