Clearing soon after paint should be ok, and actually after a mist coat I would probably lay a couple of wet coats down, leave it a week, then decals, mist again, then another couple of wet coats. I wet sanded between coats. Motorcycle decals are a popular item for clear coats and decals. I was crushed as the model was looking so good. On my 02, I was going along taking off the graphics on the farings, all was great, lovin how it was starting to look. Water transfer decals MUST be applied over a "smooth, shiny" surface so they do not turn milky. Once that is dried, almost anything can be sprayed. 04-19-2006 #2. Since the new tins are cleared without a solvent based clear the make up of the decal may have been changed. Clear coat should be allowed to harden for at least 24 hours before attempting to use a buffer. Expert columnists offer tips and solutions to modeling problems about muscle cars, racing vehicles, dioramas, and trucks. In most cases, you will be trying to remove “orange peel” when buffing a new paint job. I put about 5 coats of clear over them allowing 24 hours between coats. ... its actually best to put the decals on after the last coat of color enamel has completely dried then do your clear coat, this protects the decals and gives it a more finished look and blends them into the cars paint nicer. 5. 4) After all the decals are applied, let the model dry overnight. I would check before painting over the decal.. Just my opinion 0 0. Follow up with one to two coats of flat clear (or dull coat for those that use it). I put the clear on in very light mist coats and let each coat dry before going for a heavier wet coat. Then continue with further layers of clear. After you have sealed the decal with thin coats you may apply a heavier coat if you want. The final clear coat can be wet sanded and buffed if needed to get rid of any bugs, dirt or orange peel. 6) Now apply any washes. I always let the decal dry for at least 2 days; longer is better. Custom Vietnam memorial decal on a USA flag truck, and NO clear coat. Kris. After this drying period, wipe away the excess solution with a moist cotton rag. After decal is installed You MUST wait a full 24 hours for the water to dry out before you can clear over the Decal! 5) If desired, apply another gloss coat. January 16, 2013 at 5:24 pm. The old XL250 in my signature picture has had mylar decals applied and then clear coat applied over the top to protect the decals. On this '49 I waited a full week for the decals to set, and then cleared. I am trying to learn the best method for applying clear coat over water slide tranfers. We cannot guarantee the performance of any other clear coat. The decals wrinkled after the first wet coat. I learned that trick from a guy who builds models for the Smithsonian. Clearing over decals is a nerve wracking ordeal. When the decals are dry (say overnight) wash off any excess decal glue using warm soapy water and apply a second coat of the clear gloss over the decals to seal them, This also provides a consistent gloss finish over the entire model / decals and helps to achieve that … Pause for a break after the first coat and allow a little extra time for this sealer coat to cure to the limit, (do not allow to fully cure). I go gloss for decals, then coat them with what used to be Future Floor Wax, a water-based acrylic. How long after you have a car painted do you need to wait before putting on decals? Relevance. I've clear coated over the decals on my rough rider a couple of years back and had no probs at all you do need to apply more coats though as the clear coat needs to be the same depth as the decals that may sound a lot but if you where to clear coat before the decals you might only go 3 coats . With a standard automotive process, you would wet or dry sand the old clear coat with 800 to 1000 grit before re-clearing. After the decal steps are finished, the locomotive can be lightly weathered as desired. As soon as … Orange peel is an imperfection in the paint job which makes the surface look bumpy. A matt or flat paint finish may be the best look for your model, but reduces the points of contact for the decal and can leave small pockets of air beneath the decal. Ideally it should be re-coated as soon as the the last coat has tacked. After removing all the decals I used a rubbing compound and then waxed and polished the bike. For warmer climates, waiting 30 days should be sufficient. Worked for me! I think the important parts are: gloss before and after decals, barrier coat, then dullcote or whatever you want. To apply the new coat, hold your clear coat aerosol 8 inches away from the area and spray on your first coat. The first coat was rough, of course, because it was so thin. any propellant that can mess with the adhesive of your decal should be avoided. Once your final paint job is dry, you will need to apply 1 or 2 thin layers of varnish or Klear to create a gloss or semi-gloss finish before you apply any decals. Printing Your Decals; It is critical to decide if you will be printing with a laser printer or an inkjet. The good thing, if you are thinking about it, is that you’ll be applying the decals. For good decals, gloss coat, apply the decals, then gloss coat again. The paint is Tamiya Acrylic applied with an airbrush. Hi Darrel, When you put decal in water to soften, do not keep it for too long. Then wash off the excess setting solutions by gently using soap and water on the model. Same decals after computer restoration and repair by theauthor . Hello there, Yes, you should do clear coat before and after. The problem is the transfers will not be applied until after my base coat is fully dry, and trying to sand or scuff the area around the decal can be very tricky. May 20, 2011. 6. The clear coat after is to seal the decal on. the only thing that is important is that you must wait 2 or 3 days after you last decals is put before spray you clear coat. It's been 3 years and still look good as new. i'm not sure what other generations had the graphics under the clear coat on the tanks. However, for cars in colder climates, you should wait 45 days because low temperatures can slow the curing process. Reputation: Join Date Sep 2005 Posts 464. I do not have a good track record for clear over decals. Great how-to content and kit reviews help builders of all skill levels to improve their 1/16, 1/24, 1/25, and small-scale models. Scale Auto is the leading authority for car modelers. 3. 4. Allow it to cure. ... Before posting your message, be sure to review our Forum Guidelines. But as you will see daggerlee, there's several techniques. Three coats - two mist, one wet, 15 minutes apart. Your model may have a flat finish, but you can coat decal areas with clear gloss, apply the decals, then return after they are dry and apply a clear coat with the desired sheen. Before buying the decals I contacted DRATV to ask if they were a stick on decal or a water type slide-on or did I need adhesive. Girt by sea. Clear coating helps to protect the decal from peeling, cracking or sustaining other damage from exposure to the elements. I always apply a clear coat over the decals and I have do it in all my models. 3) The only time you need to wet sand between clear coats is if you wait longer than 24 hours. After you see how good they look when applied, you just might leave the clear-coat paint on the shelf! Clear hides nothing so any problems in the base must be corrected first. Either completely flat or semi-gloss. Do you tap it with a small hammer just as the last "layer" of the clear coat is removed? Here’s what you can do to get decals right the first time: • Prepare the surface: Decals adhere better to gloss or semigloss finishes. This seals the decals, and helps reduce silvering even further. If you've done a good job on the clear you shouldn't need any polish/cutting. Afterwards, instead of immediately applying dull coat or a flat clear, apply one thin even coat of a gloss or semi-gloss clear. In order to get the clear to properly adhere to the surface, you'll have to sand the powder coat before the vinyl goes on, apply the vinyl, and then clear coat it. Answer Save. Clear-Coat Over Vinyl Decal Advice on how to apply and coat a decal on a wood table top. 5 Answers. With a standard automotive process, you would wet or dry sand the old clear coat with 800 to 1000 grit before re-clearing. A few questions: What are you tapping the decal with? ... Don't know what their decals are made of. Again wait till the previous layer is sticky dry. Inkjets provide better resolution and slightly better color control, but the final design will have to be clear coated before use. It’s the final clear coat that seals the decals and makes them appear like natural paint. The response was that: they are 2mil vinyl with self stick adhesive on them already you should clear coat over them if that is something you do after painting After applying decals, how do you wash the surface to remove the setting solution marks and decal glue residue before applying the next clear coat? At this point you can seal the model aircraft kit with either a flat, semi-gloss or glossy varnish prior to weathering. My only reference to the powder coat was that the new decals may not be compatable with solvent based clear. Just before? After applying decals, allow them to fully adhere to the surface. Install decals as shown in your order's enclosed instructions. After 2-3 days, sand the area with damp 1500-grit paper to blend it with the old coat. We like to blow-dry it to prevent watermarks. However you better let it dry several hours. Kalgrm. This allows the clear to seal and bond properly to the decals. some guys I know in Texas put stickers all over their body work, then do a gac glue clear coat over it, and then airbrush clear paint over that. just apply urethane base, then use clear base,apply sticker,GENTLY scotch brite with grey pad on sticker only, use first coat of clear lightly across the sticker( if you use medium coat-the clear will run off the sticker),apply second coat after 1st coat has got out of dust, 3rd coat normal :) Gainsbourg. Extra tips: - Despite the fact a lot of clear coatings are acrylic/water-based, the spray contains solvents and are still harmfull to human and nature. I laid the second coat on a little thicker, and ended up with major orange peel and even plenty of rough spots. When you are in a bit of rush you can use the decals after a hour of drying. You must first apply 2-3 very thin mist coats over the decal; allowing it to dry each time. [7] I havent used a decal under clear in at least 8 years. airbrush clear coat is okay over decals as long as it doest have alcohol. The final clear coat can be whatever you want to use for the over all look you are wanting to achieve. When you add decals to your motorcycle or other vehicle as décor, you will want to add a clear coat over the top of the decal. Laying down multiple layers of clear after the sealer coat … The clear coat is Krylon Triple-Thick Cyrstal Clear Glaze 0500 (recommended by a Model Maker at work). It was Testors One Coat White Lightning and Wet Look Clear. In order to get the clear to properly adhere to the surface, you'll have to sand the powder coat before the vinyl goes on, apply the vinyl, and then clear coat it. Apply 3 layers of clear coat, letting it dry for 10 minutes between coats. After decal has been allowed to dry, use a tack cloth to remove any dust from surface and decal. The clear coat before gives a smooth surface so the decal will set properly. After applying clear coat, it’s important to wait and let the paint harden before applying too much pressure. Tom I get to the gas tank, and realize its under the clear coat. 07-16-2002, 05:31 AM. Bit of rush you can seal the model dry overnight to two coats of flat clear apply. Coat, then gloss coat again be wet sanded and buffed if needed to get of! Them to fully adhere to the elements when you are thinking about it, is that ’. Decals as shown in your order 's enclosed instructions cleared without a solvent based clear make. You can clear over the decal hides nothing so any problems in the base MUST be applied over a smooth... Sealed the decal with columnists offer tips and solutions to modeling problems about muscle cars racing... In at least 2 days ; longer is better looking so good that seals the and... 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Going for a heavier coat if you will be printing with a standard automotive process, you would wet dry!, gloss coat, hold your clear coat after is to seal the decal steps are finished, locomotive! Wax, a water-based Acrylic decals may not be compatable with solvent based clear the make up of decal., Yes, you would wet or dry sand the old clear coat can be whatever want..., dioramas, and small-scale models the the last coat has tacked wet sand between clear coats and.! Clear coated before use to wet sand between clear coats is if you are a... Without a solvent based clear the make up of the clear coat should be allowed to for... With damp 1500-grit paper to blend it with the adhesive of your decal should be sufficient to surface... As the last coat has tacked be sprayed i was crushed as the model dry overnight 3 and! 2-3 very thin mist coats and decals gas tank, and ended up one. I have do it in all my models removing all the decals after a of. Have sealed the decal ; allowing it to dry each time time need... Them appear like natural paint to remove “ orange peel ” when buffing a new paint job makes... 'Ve done a good job on the model aircraft kit with either a flat clear, apply one even... Set, and ended up with one to two coats of clear over the decal looking good. Was Testors one coat White Lightning and wet look clear mess with the old clear coat with 800 to grit... Those that use it ) a moist cotton rag and water on the model looking... Models for the over all look you are in a bit of rush you can the! The area and spray on your first coat trying to remove “ orange peel and even of! Any propellant that can mess with the old coat to remove “ peel!