I am building an Academy 1/35 scale AH-60L DAP Blackhawk. I have painted the fuselage with a mix of Tamiya and Model Master acrylics, and have layed on two medium coats of Future. When I put the decals on (using white glue-water mix, and Testor decal set), they go on perfectly. However, after they dry, the decal carrier film is extremely prominent. What am I doing wrong here? I let the Future dry for at least 50 hours, and I made sure I applied a liberal amount of decal set. Should I spray on another coat of Future? Please tell me what I’m doing wrong, and how I can fix it. Thankfully, I used my brain for once [:)] and just put on a little decal, so it’s not like I have this 4" decal with all it’s carrier film showing.
It sounds like you need a decal softening solution. I use two different ones just because I wanted to try them to see if they make any difference. I use either Polly S Decal Softening Solution, # 505401 or Badger Decal Softening Solution, # 16-802. Between the two I think the Polly S is stronger working.
I run the solution around the edge of the just applied, semi-wet, decal and the solution dissolves the edges of the decal carrier so the edge doesn’t show up or is minimized. You have to let the solution dry completely to appreciate how well the softening solution works. To me solutions have a kinda of a fresh-cut balsa wood smell.
It may be that the white glue/water mix, when dry, shows the haze from the white glue under the carrier film. This would appear the same as silvering, although for a different reason. You shouldn’t have to use white glue to apply decals, the decals themselves have a glue backing when they release from the sheet. Try another small decal applied only with water and a little Micro Set on the model. If the problem doesn’t reoccur then it’s your white glue mix that is the culprit. I doubt that another coat of Future will clear up the problem. Probably have to touch up the carrier film with the base paint.
Rick
Thanks for the help, guys. I forgot to mention one thing; I did try soaking the decals in plain water, and the same thing happened as with the white glue. I will try using the decal softening solution. Also, I had read somewhere that the white glue/water solution helps prevent silvering, but I guess I’ll skip it and stick with water.