I was asked by a young Air Force Pilot to add the tail numbers etc to an F-15E that she had bought for her fighter pilot brother. I couldn’t say no and am now presented with a conundrum. I have applied the unit designator and tail numbers to the plane that she bought but I haven’t been able to figure out how to seal them. The finish on the plane is very flat and the matte and flat clear coats that I have tried in test spots have actually changed (darkened) the paint on the plane so they are a no go. I haven’t even attempted Mop-n-glo since I’m pretty sure it will come off way too reflective/shiny. I’m probably never going to agree to work on a model that I haven’t painted myself again but I don’t wish to leave this young pilot with decals that will peel off in a few years. Any helpful advice would be deeply appreciated.
I had considered covering the whole model but the test spots darkened the paint too much. The young pilot stressed to me that she chose this particular model of the F15 for it’s lighter and flat grey color that almost exactly matches the actual plane. I’m considering piping a very small amount of clear lacquer around the edges of the decals. It will be noticeable but it should hold the decals down over time and it should be a less dramatic change than darkening the whole plane with an overall coat of matte finish. I’m just worried that when it dries it will pull unevenly on the decals and cause them to peel up anyway.
I see, hmmmm. I’ve not faced this type of problem, but if you used solutions, especially the stronger stuff like MicroSol, I think it actually sort-of melts the decal into place; at least substanially softens it. Pulling-up might not even be an issue.
If they do pull up, you’re likely to get the model back for repairs in a few years!
I did set them with MicroSol. I also just performed a test spot with the Model Master Lacquer that I have and it’s very shiny so I’m very reluctant to try it. So I’m thinking the same thing you have in that the MicrosSol might just hold things together. I hope If not, as you mention, I’m sure I will see it again in the future. Thanks again for your thoughts on this and I deeply appreciate it.
That’s a well known issue - gloss cote will make the paint seem darker, and flat cote will make it look lighter. Of course I can’t tell you that for sure, but I’d put the decals between two layers of gloss cote and then put a nice flat clear on top of that - that should work all right. Maybe try it on your test spot - good luck with your project and have a nice day
I pulled out my magnifying glasses and one of my dental implements and picked at the decals now that they’ve had a few day’s to set and they are really anchored down. I can only give credit for that to the Microsol. I’m going to go ahead and ship it out as is with a bit of a warning to not display it in a window so that sunlight wont bake the decals too much.
Thanks again, best wishes and a happy New Year to all,
If not, as you mention, I’m sure I will see it again in the future. Thanks again for your thoughts on this and I deeply appreciate it.