Clear coat eating decals?

[supermod04]

I clear coated my seat after i added my decals and it started to eat the decals, i even did a test on a old piece of decal and it was fine. i am very worried about doing my final decals on my car and then clear and have them ruined!? i did a few tests on scrap cars and it was ok, but still i am worried!? should i clear then add decals?

[RallyRaider]

Clear coating lacquer over decals is always a bit of a risk. To aviod any heartbreak make sure the decals are well seated and totaly dry, any airbubbles must be removed or the lacquer will damage them. When painting always mist your coats and leave about 15 minutes between them. NEVER succumb to the urge to lay down a thick coat otherwise the solvents will do nasty things to the decals.

If in doubt don't bother with a clear coat over the decals, a gentle waxing will suffice to protect them. It's only when you want to do things like change the reflectance or remove the ridges of decals and masking jobs that you will want to use a clear coat.

[supermod04]

ok cool. i have enamal clear and enamal paints so i dont know what went wrong. i might just not even clear coat it, i will do some more work with it, maybe add some decals to a old body and clear and do some experiments

[RallyRaider]

Enamels eating decals? That is a new one on me. Were you using some kind of "hot" solvent to thin it?
Yes, doing some testing is alway wise. Also be aware that different brands of decal are affected in different ways as well.

[supermod04]

i used duplicolor enamal clear, and i have some revell decals. but i think i figured out the problem

my seat was flat white, and it is some cheapo crap, and i did the decals, and then added a clear and it like just ate 1 of the decals

but i have always used duplicolor grey primer, and testors paint when i airbrush and duplicolor clear and it has been fine. must have been the cheapo flat white paint!?

i will do some more tests!

[Bas Carwash]

I know the problem. I screwed up a complete body of a Toyota Corolla WRC full of decals with the clear coat. I found out 2 options: Use Micro Set and Micro Sol on your decals. Second: Don't use Tamiya clear coat, but use the Humbrol version. Gives you the same shine after waxing, but never eats your decals.
Good luck!!!

[935k3]

Were you using glos over seats? If so why? Interiors should be flat for the most part. Try airbrushing Testor's Dullcote for interiors. I am afraid to gloss over the body decals, that is why I wax and use Future and I get pretty nice looking shiny cars. The trick is to polish or wax the decals so they are shiny before applying Future. I do not spray Future I wipe it on.

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by 935k3

Were you using glos over seats? If so why? Interiors should be flat for the most part.

Thats what I was wondering. Why are you clearcoating the seats in the first place? Also, you should try using Microsol to set the decals.

[supermod04]

o i added a light coat over the it for protection, but it never made it glossy. it stayed the same flat white. why i dont know but o well.

[RallyRaider]

I always clear coat seats. But I start with a gloss coat for applying decals, they work better on a smooth surface. On a rough matt surface you risk "silvering". When that is done I finish with a matt/flat coat. Simple.

[supermod04]

well the instructions said gloss white seat, and some other gloss white stuff and i just followed the directions