Custom decals suffer dissolving colors when applied

[Johan_SWE]

I have created some custom decals and printed them on Experts-Choice decal film using an ink jet printer.
After drying I have applied two coats of Microscale Liquid Decal Film using a brush.
But... and here is the big but...
... when I soaked the first decal in luke warm water the color of the decal dissolved in parts .

Can this be because the Liquid Decal Film is too thin?
I applied another layer of it to be sure, but perhaps someone here has experienced the same problem in the past?

Cheers,
J.

[seanyb505]

Just curious, did you apply the decal film before or after cutting the decal from the sheet?

[Johan_SWE]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Just curious, did you apply the decal film before or after cutting the decal from the sheet?

Before.

[stevenoble]

I usually apply 2 coats of the Microscale product and they are fine. You have to be very careful when cutting them out, because the slightest damage to the Microscale film will mean that the colours will bleed out into the water. Really trim them carefully and make sure you don't cut into the colours. If you can print them on a colour laser printer you don't need to seal them at all and you can dip them into water with no colour bleed, just a thought...

[Johan_SWE]

I might have touched the surface with a tool while sliding the decal in place, but it seems like the color broke off randomly in the middle of the decal.
Will give it another go tomorrow

[Brandon Miller]

I use Testors glosscoat. Spray on 2-3 light coats. Brushing anything over inkjet decals usually isn't a good idea.

[stevenoble]

Originally Posted by Brandon Miller

I use Testors glosscoat. Spray on 2-3 light coats. Brushing anything over inkjet decals usually isn't a good idea.

No problem to brush the Microscale stuff over ink jet decals. It won't attack the ink no matter how you brush it on and it dries in seconds. It's purposely designed for just that purpose..

[roymattblack]

I've been making own decals with an inkjet printer for nearly 10 years.
Use a half-decent polyurethane varnish spray can.
In the UK we have a brand called 'Plastikote'.
It NEVER fails and I only ever spray ONE coat of the stuff.
Not only that, but once dry, I can use Microsol and Microset with it - no trouble.
Method:

Print the decals at 'photo' quality.
Allow to dry AT LEAST 24 hours - preferably in an airing cupboard, or propped up over a central heating radiator.
Spray ONE even coat of varnish - gloss is best.
Allow to dry another 24 hours.
Use.......

Here's a Revell Ferrari I converted to the 2010 Lotus using home made decals.



Roy.

[lovegt40]

my tip Johan:
after u printed the decal on BM sheet leave it resting for some hours, then apply a very light coat of tamiya ts-13 and let it dry too.
U should apply some very light passages of ts-13 that coming dry will allow u to apply the final, heavier heavy passage (ok, never too heavy, but when paint from printer is dry u can also be quite wet..).
It should work with mostly all enamel based NOT water soluble clear coatings.
real limit of BM sheet is they come quite thick and react strange with softners on curved surfaces.

I did several times, it works great.Try it, is quite easy

[hsmed]

Originally Posted by Johan_SWE

.
.. when I soaked the first decal in luke warm water

Hi Johan
You should not leave the decal in water for long. Usually I just let it float at the surface of the water for a few seconds and then put it on a cloth to soak up excess water. In that way the decal doesn't really get wet all the way through, but within a minute or so I can slide it of the paper and onto the model.

[Johan_SWE]

Tried the TS13 approach.
Worked like a beauty!

Thanks for the help all.