Gloss for waterslides?

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Davarama
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Gloss for waterslides?

Post by Davarama »

Hi, just scraped off the silvered decals on my Tamiya T1. Going to try decals again & know I should use gloss varnish & decal fix. Can I gloss just the small area where the decal goes and weather it in to original paint or is it gloss whole panel/tank?

Want to try decals again first but if not good I don't want to have to respray whole tank so don't want to mess paint up if I should just go for masks/spray as better choice than gloss/decals . Basically, can I fudge decals in area I'm applying or just bite the bullet and go for masking?

Thanks, David.
Tamiya Tiger 1
Tamiya King Tiger
Tamiya/Wechoe Jagdtiger
Heng Long Stug iii
Heng Long Jagdpanther
Torro Jagdtiger
Taigen Panther G
Heng Long Challenger 2
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jarndice
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Re: Gloss for waterslides?

Post by jarndice »

Hi Dave, You raise a few questions,
First why are you going to use Gloss Varnish ?
Matte is the Varnish that is usually applied,
Decals can be a pain and they can look like decals when you have applied them,
I use two products that complement each other, they are "Micro-Sol" and "Micro-Set",
These products can be used on Matte paint without an undercoat of Varnish,
You need a shallow saucer a pair of sharp scissors a pair of tweezers a sponge and a paint brush,
Half fill the saucer with Warm Water and cut your decal as close to the actual decal as you can get,
place it in the saucer and make sure it is completely immersed,
Paint the area of the Tank where the decal is going with lots of "Micro-Sol",
Take the decal from the saucer with the tweezers and with the brush reloaded with more "Micro-Sol" Brush the decal into position,
lightly dab the decal with the sponge and wait 3/4 minutes then brush on the decal lots of "Micro-Set",
The decal will crumple and look awful,
LEAVE IT ALONE,
that's what happens at first but leave it overnight and you will find not a decal but what looks exactly like it has been painted on,
When you are happy with all the decals on your Tank apply Matte Varnish overall,A tip, It is easy to get the two bottles in the wrong order, That way lies bad language and awful decals so using a black marker pen I write the number 1 on the "Micro-Sol" cap and number 2 on the "Micro-Set" cap And job done.
Shaun.
I think I am about to upset someone :haha:
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Jake79
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Re: Gloss for waterslides?

Post by Jake79 »

I agree with all you said Shaun apart from decals should be applied onto a gloss or satin coat..Matt is best when all weathering is finished and is used for final seal.
Tamiya: 2 King Tigers
H/L,Taigen :Initial Tiger 1, Panzer III, Kv 2, Panther G, Bulldog, Leo 2A6
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jarndice
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Re: Gloss for waterslides?

Post by jarndice »

Jake I know about all the advise about applying decals on a shiny surface BUT the "Micro-Sol" will easily allow a decal to float over a matte finish as long as the you have first applied a film of "Micro-Sol",
Trust me I have never had a problem.
Shaun.
I think I am about to upset someone :haha:
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Jake79
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Re: Gloss for waterslides?

Post by Jake79 »

ok Shaun I've never tried applying on a matte finish, if you have and it worked fine, that's great! :thumbup:
Tamiya: 2 King Tigers
H/L,Taigen :Initial Tiger 1, Panzer III, Kv 2, Panther G, Bulldog, Leo 2A6
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Tiggr
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Re: Gloss for waterslides?

Post by Tiggr »

I have tried masking.
I have tried decals.

Masking produces the best results - for me at any rate.
See what you think.....

Masking:
222(6).jpg

Decals
IMG_0390.jpg
Attachments
IMG_0388.jpg
Tiger 1 Early Taigen,
Tiger 1 Mid Torro,
Tiger 1 Late Taigen,
King Tiger Taigen (P)
Jagdtiger Torro
King Tiger (H)
King Tiger Torro (H)
Tiger 1 late Torro
Panther G Taigen
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jarndice
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Re: Gloss for waterslides?

Post by jarndice »

Tiggr Hi, I agree completely with you about Masking as well as Stencils,
I use "Pentel" Pen Brushes to apply Numbers and Letters to my Aircraft and Armour,
But the question was about Decals and I am sure you will agree that there are many items requiring symbols and intricate small detail that only an often multi-coloured decal can provide,
A fire extinguisher on a Tank is a standard fitting but the difference a fire extinguisher with a well applied decal makes highlights the whole Tank when you include such detail,
Any model will usually benefit from both kinds of decoration.
I don't know if I have said this before but your Tigers are an inspiration,
And the true life diorama settings add even more to the quality of your work.
Shaun.
I think I am about to upset someone :haha:
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jarndice
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Re: Gloss for waterslides?

Post by jarndice »

By the way friends everything I have written about Decals refers exclusively to "WATERSLIDE" Decals,
Certainly not those awful Heng Long Applique things which look quite attractive when lying at the bottom of a dust bin :lolno:
It is easy when using aftermarket decals to discover that what you have are not Waterslide but Applique or Vinyl so READ the instructions and save yourself grief and a pocketful of money. Been there done that. :{
Shaun.
I think I am about to upset someone :haha:
Davarama
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Re: Gloss for waterslides?

Post by Davarama »

Thanks for the advice, I'll try the method for a matte finish and if I mess up I'll try stencil.

Only tried stencil once and results were good but I suspect more
by luck than skill! Finding that as I get older I have less confidence in my abilities.

Regards,David.
Tamiya Tiger 1
Tamiya King Tiger
Tamiya/Wechoe Jagdtiger
Heng Long Stug iii
Heng Long Jagdpanther
Torro Jagdtiger
Taigen Panther G
Heng Long Challenger 2
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jarndice
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Re: Gloss for waterslides?

Post by jarndice »

David Hallo,
The biggest problem with Stencils is Paint creep under the stencil,
I avoid the problem by using "Pentel" Water Brush Pens, I get mine from---
http://www.cassart.co.uk
Click on Watercolour then Brushes and scroll down.
They are fibre tipped which means they can be trimmed to shape with a sharp bladed craft knife, they come in 3 sizes,
Outside the UK they are sold as "Pentel Aquash"and are sold in sizes --Large ,Medium, Small.
In the UK they are sold as "Pentel Water brush pens" in sizes --Broad, Medium, Fine,
They cost about £15 in a 3 pack set and are fully washable,
Unscrew and pour in to the reservoir the acrylic paint, and draw along the edge of the stencil with the Small/Fine point then fill with a Medium or Large/Broad point,
They are supposed to be for Watercolours but as long as you strip down the pen straight after using it and wash it through with Warm water it will be fine.
If you go to "Pentels Aquash" website there is a small video showing how easy it is to strip it down for cleaning.
Well worth buying if you want decent stencils,
Shaun.
I think I am about to upset someone :haha:
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