Help w/ Testors Decal Sheets

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I’m posting this here because I usually build planes, but it’s also posted on the other forums.

I need to make a couple decals for the Avenger I’m building. I have a pack of Testor’s decal film for inkjet printers. But, according to the instructions I need to apply a spray-on bonding agent after the decals are printed and dry. It says this is to bond the ink so that the decals won’t separate when removing from the backing and applying to the model. I don’t have the bonding agent.

So, my question is; is there something else I can use for a bonding agent like enamel clear flat, or acrylic clear flat, or maybe even some Future sprayed on? It seems to me that if the ink is enamel or something similar then the enamel clear coat should work as a bonding agent.

I appreciate any help or insight any of you can give me. Thanks.

Steven

2

Had a conversation about this recently with the guy at my LHS. He said spray polyurethane…at least that’s what I think he said… I will check for you. He said to get a spray can, decant it and AB the stuff on thin.

I have some stuff called VitaClear Transfer Coat, specifically for that purpose. Works well but the decals are just slightly thick. I am going to try decanting the spray can and try ABing the stuff.

3

Check these links for instructions:

http://www.beldecal.com/inkjet-instructions.html

http://www.bare-metal.com/decals/decal_paper.html

Bedecal recommends Krylon Clear in spray can. You can also use Microscale Decal film.

4

Another thing you can use is artist’s workable matte spray fixative. The advantage to this is that it does not change the colors or yellow over time. Any art or craft store will have it.

5

Thanks for that Ross. If used that for prints and if i recall it goes down thin. Have you tried it? Will the decals snuggle down with the use of setting solutions?

6

When I used the can that came in Testors decal system, it smelled like gloss cote, most LHS shoild carry the sealer also

7

I’d go the Krylon clear gloss route, as others on the various forums have discussed using it with good results. As for the local hobby shops stocking it, neither of mine do because the decal fixing spray comes as part of the Testor’s decal kit, which includes the wimpy graphics program CD.

8

Testors Decal Bonder is none other than repackaged Testors Gloss Cote Lacquer spray. They smell the same, dry the same and carry the same part # on the bottom of the can, 1261A. Much easier to get but chances are you might have a can already. [:D]

I’ve done a lot of decal making over the past couple years and also prefer the Krylon gloss clear. Just use few thin coats making sure to let the first coat dry completely.

Salute!