redbanner4145  | 02 Nov 2009 5:39 a.m. PST |
I've painted some 1/300 Macchis and am not happy with the way the decals came out. Anbody know how to remove the decals without destroying the paint job. I semi-gloss spray coated, then applied the decal and then flat sprayed.
Thanks |
 freerangeegg | 02 Nov 2009 6:01 a.m. PST |
If you've varnished over them I don't know of any way to remove the transfers. Probably the best bet would be to either just re-apply the transfer over the old one, or paint over the old one and then re apply it. |
 Dom Skelton  | 02 Nov 2009 6:26 a.m. PST |
Yeah, once varnished you've more or less had it I'm afraid; only option might be to very carefully scrape at the decal with a knife, but you'll need a blooming steady hand to avoid damaging the surrounding paintwork. |
| Timmo uk | 02 Nov 2009 7:43 a.m. PST |
Not once you've varnished. Re gloss and put new decal over or paint over and start again. May I ask what was wrong with the decal? |
| redbanner4145 | 02 Nov 2009 11:01 a.m. PST |
Even after a spray flat coat the decal is a little glossy and the irregular outline of the decal is very visible. This is the only pack of decals I've had turn out like this. I'm not going to use them anymore; I'll get some new ones. |
| Timmo uk | 02 Nov 2009 11:16 a.m. PST |
Are you using Micro Sol/Set? |
 Dan Cyr | 02 Nov 2009 12:37 p.m. PST |
You'll have to paint over them and put the new decals on top. Dan |
| redbanner4145 | 02 Nov 2009 2:22 p.m. PST |
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| highlandcatfrog | 03 Nov 2009 11:59 a.m. PST |
From the way you describe it the problem seems to be that the decal didn't adhere completely to the semi-gloss coat, causing air or water to be trapped underneath, which will make it look shiny and make the edges visible. Because of this, if you simply apply another decal over the first one it will probably just exacerbate the problem. You'll have to either remove the decal or completely strip the plane and start over. Was the matte spray you used over it enamel (spirits based) or acrylic (water based)? If enamel, I'm afraid you're out of luck – anything that will remove it to get to the decal will also remove the paint. If it was acrylic, you might get lucky. Take a cotton swab dipped in either water or rubbing alcohol and gently "scrub" the decal to remove the flat coat. Then liberally coat the decal in decal solvent and use another cotton swab to scrub the decal away as the solvent loosens it. In the future you might want to use a gloss coat (as opposed to semi-gloss) beforehand – my understanding is that decals adhere better to gloss. Personally I coat the entire plane in undiluted Future and allow to dry completely before applying decals. After putting the decals on hit them with a decal solvent such as Micro-Sol, allow to dry completely (I give it 24 hours just to be sure), then use your flat coat. I've used this method with thousands of decals (just ask Dom or Dave at I-94  ) and haven't had the problem you've described. Please be sure to post and let us know how things turned out. |
| redbanner4145 | 03 Nov 2009 7:26 p.m. PST |
I used Testors dullcoat which I'm quessing is not water based.I think I'm going to try scraping the decals off and repainting that area. |
| Timmo uk | 03 Nov 2009 11:59 p.m. PST |
Testors is a lacquer. I actually think on that basis you'd be better painting over it than scraping it off as I think you may well get another bump or outline in your paint work. If its only one plane had messed up have you thought of putting it down to experience and just doing another from bare metal? At least that way you have a test model (ie this one that's gone wrong) for further decal trials etc etc. Do get some Micro Sol as well, it makes so much difference. |
| redbanner4145 | 04 Nov 2009 7:51 a.m. PST |
guys, thanks for all the info |
