Is clear coat a must after applying decals?

[puvas]

Hi, I've been into AF for a while, but this is my first post. Is clear coat really a must after I applied decals on my model? I got a bad experience on my previous model when tamiya clear coat (can) ruined the whole decals on body. Now I am scared to spray some clear coat after I put decals on my new project. Can I just wax the model after decaling? Are decals going to fall off after sometimes if I don't apply clear coat? or if it's a must, does anyone know the safe way to apply clear coat over decal? Thanks

[freakmech]

It is not necessary to clear coat. yes you can just wax over decals. this is a heavily debated subject though. all i will say is that if you do not clear coat decals, avoid touching them when handling model in the future. but some times decals look more realistic after clear coat and some times they look less so it depends on application and quality of decals. but no, there is no law saying that you have to clearcoat decals.

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by puvas

Hi, I've been into AF for a while, but this is my first post. Is clear coat really a must after I applied decals on my model? I got a bad experience on my previous model when tamiya clear coat (can) ruined the whole decals on body. Now I am scared to spray some clear coat after I put decals on my new project. Can I just wax the model after decaling? Are decals going to fall off after sometimes if I don't apply clear coat? or if it's a must, does anyone know the safe way to apply clear coat over decal? Thanks

The Tamiya clear has also been mentioned a lot over the past few months. It seems (I've never used it yet) that TS-13 will eat at the decals and sometimes the paint as it is too 'hot'. There are three solutions: 1. don't clear coat 2. use acrylic clear 3. use the TS-13 in MANY MANY MANY light mist coats.

[freakray]

It's a whole lot of personal preference.

[Spitfire7]

Yes it's all down to your own choice. Personally I just wax over decals, as clear runs the risk of melting or damaging the decals in some way, but at the end of the day it's up to you.

[tardster]

It's all personal preference. I like the look of decals when thay have been clearcoated personally but if your having problems try without clearing them or just do very fine mist coats untill you get the affect you want.

[jdmmonkey]

ive used testor's 'gloss cote' on yop of decals and it turned out good..
u might wanna try testors

[geronimo77]

Use Gunze gloss spray!
It will not damage the decals.

[lotus_man]

I'm going to tempt fate here and say that in 20 years of building models I've never had a clear coat of any kind damage decals on a model (the dreaded TS13 included). Either I've been luck or something in my technique must be working! For anyone interested here's my process, hopefully it'll be of help.

I always use MicroSet and Sol on decals, even flat ones that would conform OK anyway as that seems to help protect the decals. It's also vital to make sure that there are no air bubles under the decal as the gas from the paint/clear coat can damage things if it gets trapped. Then I let them dry for a long time before spraying several light coats of my chosen clear, which again i let dry well before a final wet coat goes on.

I don;t promise that this will work for you, all paints/decals/clears are slightly different but I can honestly say it's never let me down.

[gionc]

more: depend from the decals:
ex. Tamiya decals are always smooth, those don't ask a clearcoat, but I like clearcoated stuff: decals edges simply disappear.
Some other brands are more rough to me, like S27. You could have a perfectly smooth surface but decals have it's orange peel, those need to be clearcoated (strange not for carbon stuff, only custom decals from Cartograf, and note more, Tamiya's Cartograf stuff - like the Clasonic R34 '03- are smooth)!?

[RallyRaider]

TO get back to the original question "Is clear coat a must after applying decals?" The simple answer is no it is not a "must". I personally prefer it in most situations but not all.

For instance, on older race cars where the real markings were rather thick and haphazardly applied vinyl stickers, no clear coat looks more authentic. However, for more modern cars with high gloss, airbrushed finishes and more advanced logo application, a clear coat captures the smooth, shiny surface look better. Horses for courses.

[geronimo77]

Currently also a lot of racing car is decorated by vinyl decal which is not clear coated. Or at least some of them.
There are purposes of the clear cote.
1. protect decal
2. make the decals more glossy (close to the shine of the car)

So with one light cote you can seal the decals but they will be not se unrealistic shiney.

[puvas]

Thank you all for your replies. This is what happened with my previous model. You can see wrinkles on the decal "quaker state" (on rear fender) Sorry for the quality of picture.

Now I'm considering using acrylic clear coat. Since I don't have an air brush, has anyone ever used crylon clear coat? I'm not sure if the spray particle is too thick for 1:25 scale