painting help-

maybe somebody can help!
when i lay my color down do i put decals on first then lay clear then sand or what?runaround so im hoping that you'll can help cause i looked on the tuturals and i cant find anything!:disappoin

It's personal preference.

Some apply the decals and then apply the clear coat, some apply the clear coat and then apply decals. Others polish the color and don't clear coat at all.

One word of warning, if you decide to apply the decals prior to the clear, make sure you allow plenty of time for the decals to dry prior to clearing.

Also follow the guidelines which apply to clear coating in general.

It's personal preference.

Some apply the decals and then apply the clear coat, some apply the clear coat and then apply decals. Others polish the color and don't clear coat at all.

One word of warning, if you decide to apply the decals prior to the clear, make sure you allow plenty of time for the decals to dry prior to clearing

ok! so another question pops up with that reply!
if i was to lay decals then clear it wouldnt the clear coat act like a decal bonder of somesort?:naughty:

The clearcoat will protect the decals, but by clear coating over decals you also run the risk of a reaction between the clear and the decals.

The clearcoat will protect the decals, but by clear coating over decals you also run the risk of a reaction between the clear and the decals.

:eek2:
so the best thing would be to lay clear then lay decals and have a decal bonder/adhesive then so they wont peel back off!:eek: ....mmm

Why are you so worried about your decals coming off? Did it happen before? Your decals should stay on even if you don't use a clear coat over them. Clearing can be done over decals, but just like freakray said, let them completely dry (I wait a couple days atleast) and then clear. If using a hot lacquer clear, like Tamiya TS-13 or Duplicolor, mist on a few coats first so it won't eat the decals.

Why are you so worried about your decals coming off? Did it happen before?

^yes they did come back off!
which i hated!:shakehead

If they come off, it can be caused by a couple of factors.

Firstly, if you handle your models a lot, the decals will eventually come off.

Secondly, if you leave the decals in the water for too long, you can dissolve too much of the adhesive on them to the point there isn't enough to adhere the decals correctly.

Also, are you storing your models in direct sunlight? Sunlight will have a negative impact on your models, or more specifically the UV portion of sunlight.

Also, if you're waxing your models then applying decals, they can come off too. Are you waxing your models?

Are you waxing your models?

^no!!!:shakehead

On real cars, the decals are on top of the clear coat. All else being equal, seems like we ought to follow automotive practice.

Didymus