Custom decals question

[GT-Alex]

I'm trying to print some CF decals for a wheel set, using expert's choice clear paper and inkjet printer. I had a nice pattern, but when i tried to clear the decals with microscale liquid decal film (brushed, as the bottle instructions says), they tend to melt, and some white areas show after drying.
My question is, is it ok to airbrush liquid decal film, and if yes, what do i thin it with ?

I tried the search fonction, but feel free to fire me if i missed the answer.

Thanks for the help.

[SteveK2003]

Did you spray fixative over the decal paper after you printed it?

[GT-Alex]

That's my question in fact, i brushed microscale stuff after i printed the decals, but i guess there was too much of it onto the decal, which melted the pattern.

[SteveK2003]

Well, there is this clear-coat stuff you are supposed to spray on the decal after you print it, which prevents water from attacking the printer ink. Testors and a few others brands sell it. Not using it might be your problem, or the solvent just could be too hot for it altogether.

[Vric]

I killed my first airbrush with this stuff. It dry too fast and even lacquer thinner couldn't help. AVOID !

I used it with brush with no problem. You need to make 2 or 3 layers, the overal finish will be a tick protection.

as for the "home made" CF decal, I have yet to see someone doing something that look good..

Originally Posted by SteveK2003

Did you spray fixative over the decal paper after you printed it?

Microscale Decal film IS a "fixative" protector. It's not armfull. I usually poor 1/8 of a bottle on the paper and use a large brush to make it even. I do this 2 or 3 time. (dry in few minutes)

[freakmech]

I speak from experience here when i say you cant get a good CF decal with any products on the market. i spent 5 days and about $70 dollars trying to print CF and its never came out right. i used Testors paperand it smeared. i used Micro-scale paper and it melted when i added decal bonder etc... i used about 10 different products in alll in every combination imaginable and ever time something didnt work right. i finally got a good looking sheet and it got sealed well but when i cut and applied it, the edges smeared along the cut. i would recomend getting some SMS CF sheet. it makes life easier!

[stijnbamps1]

I've tried it too a couple of weeks ago. I followed the same process when I was detailing the seats of my ford focus WRC. The problem with this sort of paper is that it consists of three layers. There's the one you peel off when you apply it, there is an adhesive film, and there is a layer you print the textures on. That last layer is very, very weak, and therefor it's not suited for decalling. The best thing you can do is order some decal paper, or buy some real CF decal sheets if you have the money for it

[GT-Alex]

Thanks, i'll avoid airbrushing that stuff. I don't want to print a whole sheet of CF, i know SMS stuff is great, if not the best (didn't try S27 stuff). But for my application, using regular decal would be very difficult, here's what i want to print, on regular paper it look ok, even on decal paper :
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Well, i'll give it another try, i'll let the ink dry for a longer time.

[Vric]

I have put SMS Decals on every imaginable irregular parts. this stuff is incredibly soft. So unless you really want a specific patern (like you seem to want) SMS can be apply on ANYTHING.

if you print them, be sure to make them bigger, as said here, you will never get a sharp cut on those paper.