Custom decals not lying down

Halanar_D · Post by **Halanar_D** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 5:01 pm

Okay, this has been a semi-constant source of frustration for me, so I'm turning to you guys for some help with it.

First off, I get my waterslide decal paper from either bel-decals, decalpaper.com, or water-decals.com

I can print them out just fine. The problem comes in when I use them.
Prior to using them, I seal them with a coat of Krylon semigloss.
When I apply them to a model, they seem to want to "peel up" around the edges.
I get this problem most of the time. The decal will seem to go down just fine, then start peeling up at the edges.
Testors decal set doesn't help.
And a "slurry" of Elmers glue and water under the decal only seems to help a little.
Inevitably, I often have to go back to a particular decal several times to get it to stick properly to the surface.

Any clues as to where my problem lies?
This never happens with either kit-provided decals, or with the decals I've bought online. Just the ones I make for myself.
Should I be getting my paper from another source?

Any help on this would be GREATLY appreciated as I just had to junk an aztec job on a Reliant bash because of this issue

Tony Agustin · Post by **Tony Agustin** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 5:22 pm

I wonder if the Krylon semi-gloss itself is causing the problem. How thick are you spraying that stuff? Are you using an airbrush or just the can? If just using the can than you might be spraying that stuff on too thick. You might get by with an airbrush with thin coats.
However it's also quite possible the Krylon itself dries too stiff and isn't flexible enough to conform around surfaces.
I would recommend highly using the Microscale Liquid Decal Film using an Airbrush.

Joseph Osborn · Post by **Joseph Osborn** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:31 pm

I concur. Your clear sealer is probably too thick, especially if you're spraying it straight out of the can. Airbrushing the clear in two or three thin coats works best for me with inkjet decals.

Halanar_D · Post by **Halanar_D** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:49 am

That may well be it.
Thanks, guys.
I HAVE been spraying it straight out of the can and not thinking anything of it.
You may have hit the nail on the head.
And I may have to reprint those aztecs....or just the custom registry decals at least, and give it a new try

talon · Post by **talon** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 1:22 am

Halanar_D wrote:That may well be it.
Thanks, guys.
I HAVE been spraying it straight out of the can and not thinking anything of it.
You may have hit the nail on the head.
And I may have to reprint those aztecs....or just the custom registry decals at least, and give it a new try

Try using Testors Decal Bonder. I'm thinking maybe the coating is shrinking imperceptibly as it dries, so when you slide it off the backing holding it flat it immediately curls. I have not had this problem with the Testors Decal Bonder so I would wonder if it is formulated not to shrink at all as it dries.

Halanar_D · Post by **Halanar_D** » Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:10 pm

Actually, Talon, they come off perfectly flat just like normal decals would.
It's only after a few minutes that the curling starts

Halanar_D · Post by **Halanar_D** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:10 pm

Tony, Joseph,
You guys hit the nail on the head.
Reprinted my main markings and only misted the sealer coat onto the sheet instead of covering it like I had been doing.
They're slightly more fragile now, but THEY STAYED DOWN!
Thanks for the help, guys.

Marco Scheloske · Post by **Marco Scheloske** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:20 pm

I always use "Micro liquid decal film" as a sealer for inkjet decals. It is the same stuff like the decalfilm you print onto, so it reacts the same way. No curling.

Halanar_D · Post by **Halanar_D** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:31 pm

And I may look into grabbing some of that the next time I'm in my LHS.
Thanks for posting, Marco