Decal & Finishing

I understand that putting decals on a flat acrylic painted surfaces can create problems with settling and bubbles. I was told that putting a coat of Future on first is what I should do but what if I don’t want a gloss finish. Say I want a semi gloss or flat finish. Can I use something like Testors DullCoat over the Future coat or should I use something else for the base coat for the decals?

Absolutely … to place decals an my armour kits I use the following procedures after painting.

  • apply future to the area where the decals are going to be located
  • apply super-set decal solution
  • apply decal
  • apply super-sol decal solution
  • spray with Testor’s Dull-cote
  • weather as necessary

Apply gloss acrylic varnish, apply decals using setting solution, leave to dry, then apply varnish of your choice - simple

Theoretically, you dont really need to “prime” your decal spot, most of the time pressing down on the said decal after appliance with a warmly damp towel will do the trick, erasing bubbles and most wrinkles…