DIY decal questions

[klutz_100]

I've got myself a sheet of white laser decal paper made by BMF. They recommend sealing the decal after printing with Microscale Liquid Decal Film which, as you might expect, is unavailable here in Poland

My questions are this. Are there any substitutes? Can I use any regular gloss clear coat instead? Acrylic? Enamel? Laquer? Gloss? Satin?

What happens if I don't use a clear? Does it run? Crumble? Not slide off the paper?

Any shared experience using non-branded/specialised products will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Vric]

You can use acrylic clear. Just make VERY small coat and take care to not bend the paper too much.

I used the BMF decals paper and the microfilm. It can give good result for some sponsor decals or anything that aren't very complex, but it's nothing like real decals.

[klutz_100]

Thanks Vric!

I hear you on the quality issue . I just want to do some odd bits and pieces.

Would X22(?) gloss clear be OK? or should it be a matt or satin finish? I would be airbrushing it on, right?

[Vric]

I think X22 would be nice. Just leave it dry a good 3 days.

I never tried that, but it should work correctly. Microscale Micro Gloss (which is an acrylic clear) should work too.

The Microfilm is a satin finish. You can use the one you prefer.

[stevenoble]

Try www.themodelcatalogue.com for the microscale liquid decal film.I'm sure they will be able to mail order it to you in Poland.

[Ferrari TR]

I tried a bunch of different clears for sealing decals, and everything I tried worked. I've simply applied several light coats and never had any trouble. Two things to remember, laser toner doesn't run but it will rub off quite easily and the white decal papers are more likely to crumble or seperate then any of the clear film I've tried.

[klutz_100]

Originally Posted by Ferrari TR

I tried a bunch of different clears for sealing decals, and everything I tried worked. I've simply applied several light coats and never had any trouble. Two things to remember, laser toner doesn't run but it will rub off quite easily and the white decal papers are more likely to crumble or seperate then any of the clear film I've tried.

Thanks for that!

Unfortunately, I found the one and only sheet of decal paper in Poland - still, it's a good place to start.

[gionc]

This BMF material is strange: I've a printer who done waterproof graphics also on commercial paper but ink leave the BMF if you don't clearcoat it.
I try also TS in 1 only thin coat, ok. This paper don't like a lot of ink: looks like come out better simple drawings. I've 2 printer, 1 with normal and 1 with pigmented inks: better results with the 2nd (strange: this printer give me a lot of problems with papers)