Bare Metal Clear Laser Decal Paper - Clear Coat Needed?

[davidwinter]

Hi.

I have some Clear Decal Paper for Laser printers and according to the website (http://www.bare-metal.com/Experts-Choic ... -Film.html) this paper apparently still needs the clear coat on top prior to getting wet.

This seems strange to me as the other decal paper manufactures say that the clear coat is not required for laser paper (it's only required for ink-jet)

Has anyone used the bare metal paper before? Do you really need the clear coat prior to use ? (seems strange as part of the point of using laser is to avoid that step).

[macfrank]

This seems strange to me as the other decal paper manufactures say that the clear coat is not required for laser paper (it's only required for ink-jet)

Has anyone used the bare metal paper before? Do you really need the clear coat prior to use ? (seems strange as part of the point of using laser is to avoid that step).

Maybe they mean after it's applied to the model? Some laser printer toners are not water-proof, so that could be why, as well.

I use Tango Papa decal paper which is nice and thin in my Alps, and I always overcoat the whole model after applying the decals. They are still delicate surfaces, so the overcoat helps protect them on the model.

[Joseph Osborn]

You don't need the clearcoat on the laser-printed decals. Laser toner can flake or scratch off the paper surface, so it's a good idea to put a coat of Liquid Decal Film or Future over the sheet after printing. I prefer Liquid Decal Film, because if you leave Future to set for a long time it can become brittle. If the decals are used within a few days after coating, then they work just fine. Putting a clear coat onto the whole model after applying the decals will help protect the decals from handling and weathering and also blends the surfaces together.