Would appreciate any recommendations, instructions or tips as to inkjet decal paper and clear coat sealer/bonder.
Some years back when applying a decal that came with a small resin kit the ink began running as soon as the decal touched the Micro-Set wetted surface. Guessing it was a 'homemade' unsealed decal.
Thanks and regards, Peter
During one of those decal paper shortages a few years ago, I stopped looking for decal paper at train places and ordered from some online outfit I found by combining the name of the generic product with the obvious .com suffix. I discovered that I got about 4 lifetimes worth of paper for the price of about 3 half-sized sheets of hobby shop paper. It works just as well, maybe even better.
I seal mine with paint store spray Krylon paint, both after it comes off the printer and the ink dries and after it's on the model with MicroSol and MicroSet.
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Hayes paper company. uses krylon clear coat as a sealer. just leave it sit for a week to propperly cure. I found a quick wipe down on some paper ith alcohol first helps. not sure why it makes the decals sharper, but it does. impurities perhaps. Application is normal process.
SHane
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Hello Peter,
This may not help, but it could open up the thought process. MicroScale has "trim film" that can be printed on. Howewer, their instruction sheet does not recommend printing with inkjet. Either way, I believe the key to printing your own decals is sealing it with gloss coat before applying to the model. Here are some links to MicroScale:
https://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=TF
https://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/graphics/Instructions/TrimFilminstr.pdf
Terry
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Thanks for the advice fellas. Got some Hayes paper on the way and found some Krylon acrylic clear gloss in my collection of rattle cans.
Shane, Guessing 70% alcohol is good for wiping down the paper before printing? Also, is one coat of Krylon enough after printing?
Thanks again and regards, Peter
PennCentral99 Hello Peter, This may not help, but it could open up the thought process. MicroScale has "trim film" that can be printed on. Howewer, their instruction sheet does not recommend printing with inkjet. Either way, I believe the key to printing your own decals is sealing it with gloss coat before applying to the model. Here are some links to MicroScale: https://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=TF https://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/graphics/Instructions/TrimFilminstr.pdf Terry HI Terry, quick question: Why a clear gloss coat. Most of the advice I have seen says use testors dull coat. I've done this for decals on some painted wood buildings and it seems to work OK.
Werl HI Terry, quick question: Why a clear gloss coat. Most of the advice I have seen says use testors dull coat. I've done this for decals on some painted wood buildings and it seems to work OK.
In my experience, when applying decals, they adhere better to smooth surfaces. Dullcote is more porous, which may leave the "silvering effect". So, why not start out with a smooth surface? Hence, the reason for using glosscote instead of dullcote.
The surface of a painted wood building is different than a plastic loco or rolling stock. If something is working for your, by all means, stick with it.
Once the decal is applied/dried, you can go back over it with dullcoat to give it a more natural appearance.
thanks for asking, hope this explains things a little.
Thanks for the update Terry. I will try the Krylon haveing found the exact product at Hobby Lobby.
NVSRRHayes paper company. uses krylon clear coat as a sealer. just leave it sit for a week to propperly cure. I found a quick wipe down on some paper ith alcohol first helps. not sure why it makes the decals sharper, but it does. impurities perhaps.
Shane, Decal experiment with my Epson Inkjet printer, Hayes decal paper and Krylon acrylic Clear coat showed success today. Three coats clear allowed to dry for a week, 30sec. soak in cold water, floated into place with Micro-set & blotted with Kleenex.
First time applying a decal atop an airbrushed coat of Pledge Floor Care Finish, so far, so good. Did try wiping the first sheet of paper with 70% alcohol, but streaked the paper, maybe the kind of paper towel used.