Applying the "Seaboard" decal to side of 6250 diesel switcher

[San Jose]

The decals on my No. 6250 diesel switcher are messed up so I bought new ones

These are 1 7/8" wide and 3" high and go on the side of the engine. 

There are small protrusions (frames of doors) from the surface of the side of the engine. 

Is there a method for applying the decal so that it lies flat without messing it up?

Thanks, Nino

[stebbycentral]

Assuming that they are water-slide decals, you need a decal softener.  Something like Walther's Solvaset.  After applying the decal in the normal fashion you wash the softener across the top.  It casues the decal to conform to the underlying surface.  Too much, of course, will eat the decal.  You should be able to find decal softener at any good hobby shop.

[arkady]

I might add that once you've applied the softener, don't touch the decal.  Until it dries, it will be extremely soft and easily damaged.  Do all your positioning before dabbing on the softener.

 

[ChiefEagles]

If you repainted, shoot it with Gloscoat [this helps the decals slide on better].  Then apply decals.  Some decal softners are too strong for thin decals.  Carefully apply decal solvant.  Wait for to to dry. Apply sparingly until decal "melts" into "cracks and etc".  This may take several applications.  Once finished and dry good, rinse off.  Let dry.  Now if you want the engine to looks real, shoot with dulcoat.  If you want it to look like a "toy train" or just out of the paint shop, shoot with Gloscoat.  This last step seals the decals on.  Decaled lots of cars and engines this way for 30+ years. 

[8ntruck]

One more trick to applying decals is to trim them very close to the lettering, graphic, whatever.  This eliminates extra areas of clear decal outside the graphic - helps the decal dissapear and look less like a decal when it has dried.