Applying decals over a waxed surfaced??

I just finished my 1969 Camaro and was planning on polishing the model with “The Treatment” Model Wax. Will decals stick to the waxed surface?

I am certain the answer is no. Can you apply the wax over a coat of Future

They will stick, but not as well as an unwaxed finish.

Applying Future over a waxed finish is asking for more trouble. It’s essentially an acrylic clear paint.

I would carefully and lightly spot polish the areas the decals are going to remove the wax.

If you did not use acrylic for the paint, you can carefully use a little windex or 409 on a soft cloth to spot degrease too. A little detergent in water will also strip just the wax.

Once the decals have fully dried you can use the same Treatment wax to bring up their luster too.

Okay, here is the deal. I painted my model with Tamiya lacquer. I let it dry for 3 days. I noticed that the nose of the model needed to be repainted. I used plastic wrap to mask off the model since I thought that the plastic wrap would do less damage than masking tape. Guess what. All of the wrinkles in the plastic wrap were transfered onto the Tamiya painted surface. The wrinkles transfered onto the roof, trunk and sides of the model! I am thinking that I could buff out the model’s body with wax.

decal first, Future second, wax third.

Exactly right, GMorrison! I was going to say that, but you beat me to it! Thanks.

JK, why not polish with Novus then apply the decals and you are done. I have done 3 Blue Angel F18s this way and the paint looks like glass after polishing.

I learned that decals and wax do not mix when I used Rub and Buff for a NMF finish. Looked nice but decals would not stick to it. In fact, almost nothing sticks to wax including paint. I am always careful never to get wax on kit until it is completely finished.

Same thing with Silicone.

I’ll remove the wax with Dawn, then polish with Novus. Thanks for the input.

Don

I recall reading an article where the builder used thinned Rub n Buff and airbrushed it. I agree with you that decals and wax don’t mix. I can’t remember where I read the article and how he attached the decals and wonder if they are still on.