Water slide decals

[TonyS]

Hi Chaps,

Anyone know how to make water slide decals stick to painted foam surfaces?

I've had mixed experiences with the same model. First time they stuck like mad - never a problem. Second time they flaked off, came off on my fingers if they were slightly damp etc etc.

Is there a secret to this....

Thanks 

[David Ashby - Moderator]

I tried a little watered down white wood glue on one model Tony, gently brushed onto the back of the decal, seemed ok but that's probably a strange solution?

[TonyS]

I have no idea how you would do that David....

Did you float the decal off the backing then paint the back of it..... Surely it would just scrunch up?.... 

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Yup the decals seemed stronger when wet and just about withstood a few swipes with the brush before being slid into place.....like I say, perhaps not to be recommended?

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Olly P]

Or, slide them on wet as usual and then when dry brush some very watered down PVA over as a clear varnish.

[Shaun K]

Hi TonyS,

 

After having wrangled with all sorts of dramas with water slide decals over the past week or so, I also tried a very watered-down PVA solution to re-stick some decals that had lifted around the edges. It worked perfectly!!

 

I used a small, soft artist's brush to paint the PVA solution under the edges, smooth it back down again and 2 days later they're still looking well stuck.

 

I also found some info that says the longer you leave the decal in the water the greater the chance that the glue will dissolve away before you've removed the decal from the water. If the edges of the decal have started to lift off the backing paper before you remove it from the water, it's too late - the glue is gone and the edges will lift as it dries out, no matter how smooth it looks when you've finished  putting it on. This I know from very recent error & trial (yes, there were more errors than successes ).

 

I've found this to be great advice found elsewhere on a craft-based web site:

Wet the decal  very briefly (5 seconds for a small decal, 10-15 seconds for really big ones, then just let them sit for 30-40 seconds for the glue to dissolve in place. Slide them on and they stick. For really big decals, slide the paper away from underneath the decal and smooth it out as you go to prevent wrinkles.

 

Good luck.

[Ernie]

Hi Guys

If you use photomount, be carefull of overspray, Acetone removes it, but I've no idea what that will do to your plastic aircraft

ernie

[Terence Lynock]

I dip the decal in water and watch the backing turn slightly opaque, then I take it out of the water and mop excess water off, leave for a minute or two then slide off, once in place and dried I use a spray varnish to fix them down,

 

regards,          Terry

[Gemma Jane]

My variation is coat with Humbrol Acrylic 135 satin varnish. Thin with water and apply with brush or airbrush. Never had one flake or come off and I like the satin finish.

[James40]

If you own an Alfa Model of any type then you will be fully briefed in the painful world of water slide decals.

The only way to make them permanent and to be protected from the wet grass is to spray the whole model with a clear coat.

 

I used a matt finish as it was a war bird and they aren't supposed to be shiney but you can go for a shiney coat if you like.

 

Word of warning though, test the finish on an area first, I had a bit of a whoopsie where I sprayed acrylic clear coat over enamel which turned my Tempest a milky white colour !

 

A few hours with some ultra fine rubbing paper got the finish back and has left it looking nicely weathered.

[Dan Hedges]

As someone who has spent too long playing with plastic model kits I know there are a number of decal solutions on the market. Your local hobby store should have them. They will help the decal to slide on without breaking and stick better, they probably need a coat of clear varnish or similar over them to seal them though.

 

Dan.