I’m just about done putting the decals on my UH-34 helicopter and I’m wondering what the best procedure is to apply the final finish. In the past I’ve applied a gloss clear coat over the areas where decals were applied, and then put on the final finish which is this case will be Testor’s Dullcoat. Is it advisable to skip the gloss coat and just go ahead and apply the Dullcoat? Or is there some reason for putting the coat of gloss over the decals before that. I hate to swamp the details on the model with an extra layer of paint if it isn’t really needed.
If your not doing any weathering and just finishing it as is, just go straight to the flatcoat. There is no reason to apply a gloss just over the decals.
Ah yes - the weathering and detailing! I knew there was something I was forgetting. Thanks Bish!
I usually weather my decals also with pigments so they are not so new and bright.
I dullcoat after decaling. I try to avoid weathering techiques that require a gloss coat= there are enough that do not.
Yeah, I apply a gloss coat for decals, and also for my water-based acrylic washes, where the gloss will help keep the wash in place and not seep into fine pits in the surrounding surfaces (esp. with panel lines). Then DullCote, and then weathering with chalks or drybrushing, staining with oil mixes, etc.