Relevance. On my 02, I was going along taking off the graphics on the farings, all was great, lovin how it was starting to look. After removing all the decals I used a rubbing compound and then waxed and polished the bike. After applying clear coat, it’s important to wait and let the paint harden before applying too much pressure. 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). After decal has been allowed to dry, use a tack cloth to remove any dust from surface and decal. Printing Your Decals; It is critical to decide if you will be printing with a laser printer or an inkjet. My only reference to the powder coat was that the new decals may not be compatable with solvent based clear. After decal is installed You MUST wait a full 24 hours for the water to dry out before you can clear over the Decal! After 2-3 days, sand the area with damp 1500-grit paper to blend it with the old coat. Either completely flat or semi-gloss. But as you will see daggerlee, there's several techniques. As soon as … 5) If desired, apply another gloss coat. Reputation: Join Date Sep 2005 Posts 464. The decals wrinkled after the first wet coat. If you've done a good job on the clear you shouldn't need any polish/cutting. January 16, 2013 at 5:24 pm. After this drying period, wipe away the excess solution with a moist cotton rag. Again wait till the previous layer is sticky dry. The paint is Tamiya Acrylic applied with an airbrush. Then continue with further layers of clear. Clear hides nothing so any problems in the base must be corrected first. ... Don't know what their decals are made of. For warmer climates, waiting 30 days should be sufficient. To apply the new coat, hold your clear coat aerosol 8 inches away from the area and spray on your first coat. Then wash off the excess setting solutions by gently using soap and water on the model. I put the clear on in very light mist coats and let each coat dry before going for a heavier wet coat. 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. 5. 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. Worked for me! i'm not sure what other generations had the graphics under the clear coat on the tanks. 6. I would check before painting over the decal.. Just my opinion 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 … The clear coat before gives a smooth surface so the decal will set properly. It was Testors One Coat White Lightning and Wet Look Clear. Just before? I think the important parts are: gloss before and after decals, barrier coat, then dullcote or whatever you want. Custom Vietnam memorial decal on a USA flag truck, and NO clear coat. I always let the decal dry for at least 2 days; longer is better. The good thing, if you are thinking about it, is that you’ll be applying the decals. Tom 4) After all the decals are applied, let the model dry overnight. With a standard automotive process, you would wet or dry sand the old clear coat with 800 to 1000 grit before re-clearing. Since the new tins are cleared without a solvent based clear the make up of the decal may have been changed. I put about 5 coats of clear over them allowing 24 hours between coats. This seals the decals, and helps reduce silvering even further. I am trying to learn the best method for applying clear coat over water slide tranfers. Allow it to cure. We cannot guarantee the performance of any other clear coat. The clear coat after is to seal the decal on. :) Gainsbourg. How long after you have a car painted do you need to wait before putting on decals? Clear-Coat Over Vinyl Decal Advice on how to apply and coat a decal on a wood table top. I go gloss for decals, then coat them with what used to be Future Floor Wax, a water-based acrylic. Clearing over decals is a nerve wracking ordeal. I learned that trick from a guy who builds models for the Smithsonian. When you are in a bit of rush you can use the decals after a hour of drying. On this '49 I waited a full week for the decals to set, and then cleared. Hello there, Yes, you should do clear coat before and after. The final clear coat can be whatever you want to use for the over all look you are wanting to achieve. The first coat was rough, of course, because it was so thin. 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. It’s the final clear coat that seals the decals and makes them appear like natural paint. 0 0. Laying down multiple layers of clear after the sealer coat … 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. It's been 3 years and still look good as new. Motorcycle decals are a popular item for clear coats and decals. 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. 3) The only time you need to wet sand between clear coats is if you wait longer than 24 hours. May 20, 2011. [7] Install decals as shown in your order's enclosed instructions. 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. Once that is dried, almost anything can be sprayed. Apply 3 layers of clear coat, letting it dry for 10 minutes between coats. 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. After the decal steps are finished, the locomotive can be lightly weathered as desired. Clear coat should be allowed to harden for at least 24 hours before attempting to use a buffer. 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. I get to the gas tank, and realize its under the clear coat. The old XL250 in my signature picture has had mylar decals applied and then clear coat applied over the top to protect the decals. Clear coating helps to protect the decal from peeling, cracking or sustaining other damage from exposure to the elements. Girt by sea. The clear coat is Krylon Triple-Thick Cyrstal Clear Glaze 0500 (recommended by a Model Maker at work). 3. However, for cars in colder climates, you should wait 45 days because low temperatures can slow the curing process. Ideally it should be re-coated as soon as the the last coat has tacked. 4. We like to blow-dry it to prevent watermarks. The final clear coat can be wet sanded and buffed if needed to get rid of any bugs, dirt or orange peel. Hi Darrel, When you put decal in water to soften, do not keep it for too long. Here’s what you can do to get decals right the first time: • Prepare the surface: Decals adhere better to gloss or semigloss finishes. 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? I was crushed as the model was looking so good. I wet sanded between coats. 5 Answers. I havent used a decal under clear in at least 8 years. In most cases, you will be trying to remove “orange peel” when buffing a new paint job. I do not have a good track record for clear over decals. 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. Kalgrm. 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 After applying decals, allow them to fully adhere to the surface. Do you tap it with a small hammer just as the last "layer" of the clear coat is removed? 04-19-2006 #2. With a standard automotive process, you would wet or dry sand the old clear coat with 800 to 1000 grit before re-clearing. I always apply a clear coat over the decals and I have do it in all my models. Expert columnists offer tips and solutions to modeling problems about muscle cars, racing vehicles, dioramas, and trucks. 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 A few questions: What are you tapping the decal with? Inkjets provide better resolution and slightly better color control, but the final design will have to be clear coated before use. 6) Now apply any washes. Scale Auto is the leading authority for car modelers. At this point you can seal the model aircraft kit with either a flat, semi-gloss or glossy varnish prior to weathering. After you have sealed the decal with thin coats you may apply a heavier coat if you want. Three coats - two mist, one wet, 15 minutes apart. For good decals, gloss coat, apply the decals, then gloss coat again. 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. Orange peel is an imperfection in the paint job which makes the surface look bumpy. Afterwards, instead of immediately applying dull coat or a flat clear, apply one thin even coat of a gloss or semi-gloss clear. ... 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. Low temperatures can slow the curing process 3 years and still look as. Days, sand the area with damp 1500-grit paper to blend it with a standard automotive process, will. 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