Decaling bare plastic.

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Decaling
1

All -

No trying to insult any of the modelling gurus here, but ocassionally, I do models that I don’t want to paint, (don’t ask). Any suggestions on having decals on bare plastic not look like decals on bare plastic? These are usually fairly quick builds. In addition to the normal decal set, I was thinking of over-coating the entire model with either Future or just clear lacquer. Also, whold like to prevent the bare decals from getting yellow after a few years.

Any suggestions welcome.

Tks

Archer out.

2

Never tried it myself, but recall some articles from years back that indicated decals on bare plastic didn’t work very well. Future might help with the yellowing problem, but you get a very glossy model.

3

Archer,

If you want to keep the model plain plastic why not future it first to get a surface for the decal to adhere to and then future it again to seal it?

Richard

4

rjk, RS -

That’s what I was thinking. hit it with Future or clear paint, decal and then an over-coat. This one calls for a gloss finish any way, so it s/b OK. Last time I tried it on a flat WW2 figher, I decaled over bare plastics, and did a dull over-coat and weathered. Came out fine. The gloss finish is a little trickier.

Thanks!

Archer out.

5

a few years back, when i just started to build models, i never painted them. when i put decals on, i didn’t even use any setters or solvents. i never clear-coated anything. despite that, i don’t recall having any problems with them other that silvering, and them being very easy to lift off the model(back then i didn’t even know about any setters or solvents or even the existence of clear-coats!!)[:slight_smile:] i wonder how i ever lived with models w/o paint…[:D]

6

i used to do that using a setting solution. but they always fell apart later.

7

…or any gloss coat over the bare plastic…decal it…then another gloss coat to seal…then if it’s your choice a flat coat or leave as is…& voila…fini.[:D]

8

Thanks guys -

Either going to be Future or clear Lacquer, think I have enough of both!

Just wanted to see if there was an easier/quicker way.

Archer out.