Wait time before overspraying with sealant?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Decaling
1

How short a time is safe to overspray with Future or some other sealant like a matte varnish?

I am getting antsy to finish my Kitty Hawk 1/48 UH-1D Huey and have several more decals to put on. I’d like to overspray on the same day I attach the decals but am wondering if that’s a very bad idea?

Any input would be appreciated.

2

I’m not entirely sure what you’re asking but the Future bottle says it’s dry in 20-30 minutes although I’d give it an hour. If it’s OK to walk on when used on your kitchen floor then it’s OK for decals and a top coat.

3

Jeff,

Thanks for the reply.

I really did not make myself clear in posing my question. What I’d like to know is how long I have to wait after having applied my decals before sealing them with either a gloss finish or a matte finish. If I apply a decal and wait an hour or two is it then ok to overcoat those decals by airbrushing on some Future or some kind of matte varnish? Or should I wait a day or two before sealing the decals?

I know how long I have to wait for Future or paint or matte varnish to dry but that’s not my question. I guess I could seal my decals a few hours after having applied them but I’m just not sure.

4

Mike, what I do to prevent any possible issues is to let the decals dry and set overnight. I like using Solvaset over the decals to really snuggle them down and needs time to cure. Even if not using Solvaset I would still wait overnight in abundance of caution.

5

i’m the same, i figure it can only help.

Morrison’s Third Law of Modeling:

'There’s never enough time to do it right, but somehow there’s always enough time to do it over".

Bill

6

PJ and Bill,

Thanks. I kind of figured that would be the prudent wait time.

I’m screwing up so many little things on this kit that it’s going to take me beyond the end time I had planned on anyway.

I might as well slow down and try to get what I can correctly done while my brain is still functioning.

7

Remember Mike, this is a hobby and when things get rushed mistakes happen. Even on my commissions, I take my time and don’t set a deadline.

8

I find an hour adequate in ordinary humidity levels if I use only water or water + setting solution. If I use solvent then I wait overnight. In very high humidity like heavy rain or fog, I find six hours or so better.

9

1943 Mike!

Hi: it’s just a habit of mine, but I usually wait overnight to coat over decals. Why? Dunno, just got in that habit. I think that it came out of the fact that decals are the very last thing I put on.Not handling the model over-nite lets them dry real well.

10

Another good reason- it gives you a fresh set of eyes in the light of a new day to really look at the outcome.

Once sealed, you can’t fix it.

Bill

11

I tend to do my painting in early morning so I would generally decal in an afternoon or evening session to clear it in the morning if all looks well. I hate decals by the way. Sometimes there is just no choice in the matter though.