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Corporal
Posts: 62
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What if I use Dull coat for all 3 layers? what effect will this have? Will the colors not be as viberant? Thanks, Russ
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Master Sergeant
Posts: 348
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Decals do not generaly adhere well to matte surfaces. Thats why most of us seal with glosscoat first. Applying them to a previously dullcoated surface can sometimes cause the edges to lift as the decal dries. Not always, but it does happen. Additionaly, glosses go on thicker, and provide a much more secure topcaot over the decal and ensure a smooth transition at the edges.
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Corporal
Posts: 62
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Ah. Its all making sense now. Does the mini look more shiney w/ the gloss coat? I realize that the dull coat is the last to go on so it should cancel it out but i've never done this before. Also, what is the best gloss coat in a can to buy? Is testors not as good as games workshop? Thanks, Russ
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Master Sergeant
Posts: 348
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Um yeah..glosscoat makes them shiney. Very shiney. The glosscoat is actually working as the sealer over your paintjob and decals. The dullcoat then provides a military style, matte finish to top it all off.
The Testors brand is probably the best on the market. I've been using it for 30 years and have never been disapointed. The fact that it is available at hobby shops as well as places like Wal-mart or Target ensure that I can always find it when I need it.
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Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 6612
Has Soul, and is Super Bad
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If you don't want to gloss coat the entire mini, get a bottle of brush-on gloss and apply it to the area your decal is going before you put the decal on. Also, while I use Micro-Sol on my decals out of habit, the FPG decals are so thin you really don't need it if you don't want to buy a bottle. Is testors not as good as games workshop?
IMO, they're both good for different reasons. The GW stuff is definitely tougher, so it's great for tabletop minis. The Testors is a better dullcoat - definitely the best I've tried - but is too thin to be very protective for a mini that will be handled often. I usually use both: first GW, then Testors. That helps stretch my Testors can further, too, since I only need one quick coat to fully matte the mini. |
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CamoSpecs
Posts: 1400
If you think you're too close, get in closer.
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Sure. Like others said, I do prime, paint, glosscoat, decals, then 2X dullcoat. The decals stick better to a glossy surface and are easier to adjust around without tearing. Plus, a good clearcoat (I like Krylon Crystal Clear myself) helps protect the paint.
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Major
Posts: 5845
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I usually seal with a gloss coat. Then apply decals. Then 2 coats of dull. Like others said, I do prime, paint, glosscoat, decals, then 2X dullcoat. The decals stick better to a glossy surface and are easier to adjust around without tearing. Plus, a good clearcoat (I like Krylon Crystal Clear myself) helps protect the paint. The single gloss followed by double dull is exactly what I've heard from lots of people. What brands do you all use ? Right now I have some Krylon, Crystal Clear, Acrylic, Satin......that I was told would be kind of dull but is really rather shiny. Any other stuff good, or a better gloss or dull coat brand ? |
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CamoSpecs
Posts: 78
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Gloss, decal, then dull coate. For the gloss I use Krylon Clear and the Dull is either Testor's or Armory Matte Sealer.
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Major
Posts: 3832
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I don't use so many coats. I just paint, apply the Micro-Sol on the area that I want to apply the decal to, put on the decal, apply more Micro-Sol, let it all dry and seal it with dull coat. I've yet to have a problem with this method.
The Micro-Sol works VERY well to make the decal melt into the crevasses in the mini and I don't see any decal shine.
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Catalyst Demo Team
Posts: 14718
LARP'ing is fun!
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What is a good decal set/setting solution? I have the Fighting Piranha decals and read this topic, but I just don't know what I am supposed to apply to the area before the mini.
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Recruit
Posts: 11
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I recently wrote a pretty detailed article with a step-by-step how-to. You can read it here. Hope it helps. |
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Catalyst Demo Team
Posts: 14718
LARP'ing is fun!
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That is useful and tells me exactly what I needed to know: that I won't be putting any decals on until at least the next time I go home to Chicago.
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The Real Jacob Kincaid
Moderator
Posts: 18415
The only Battletech rockstar sex god
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I use Testors Decal Set, which I got in a 0.25 fluid ounce bottle for 99 cents at Hobby Lobby. I am thinking that it's a lifetime supply, barring any spillage.
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Colonel
Posts: 15176
Emo Elvis is watching you pee...
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What benefit does these decal setting solutions and whatnot give you? All this time I've been putting the decals directly on the painted surface with no pre- or post-treatment, and with a little care, I've never had any problems once the mini is sealed.
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Major
Posts: 6397
Ma Kai, head of Warrior House Ma-Tsu-Kai (FGC 3010
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What benefit does these decal setting solutions and whatnot give you? All this time I've been putting the decals directly on the painted surface with no pre- or post-treatment, and with a little care, I've never had any problems once the mini is sealed.
They destroy any physical integrity the plastic sheet the decal is on might have had, meaning the decal now sits snugly into cracks and grooves on the mini, and will help remove any air bubbles that might have gotten trapped under there. |
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The Real Jacob Kincaid
Moderator
Posts: 18415
The only Battletech rockstar sex god
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I have found that with the solution, for the reasons that Klingon noted, that on some of the old scaled minis, the decal will really hug the scales to preserve the underlying texture. I prefer that to have a big smooth patch over the scales, which of course got me all kinds of pissed.
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Recruit
Posts: 9
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Way back when I actually had time to paint and decal and such, I used Walthers. I set the decals directly onto the paint, no gloss coat first. Was going to do a tutorial at some point but I think Mister Finn did a top notch job and will defer to it.  Even learned some stuff, making patterns to trim the decal to.... BRILLIANT! Of course I have a few extras so if I screw one (or several) up, not a problem.  Best Brian |
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Major
Posts: 5845
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I use Testors Decal Set, which I got in a 0.25 fluid ounce bottle for 99 cents at Hobby Lobby. I am thinking that it's a lifetime supply, barring any spillage.
I think I'm going to have to pick up some of that : ) |
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Lieutenant
Posts: 1055
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I use the testors decal set. it is very good and really melds the decal to the mini. My old GW slide transfers crinkle at the edges over time but with the decal set on the CBT ones they don't at all.
Also note that the decal set makes the transparent sections properly transparent (some if you do not use it you can notice discoloration due to being seen through a layer of plastic)
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Master Sergeant
Posts: 255
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Wow, great info. guys. This was amazing. Thanks.
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Master Sergeant
Posts: 244
Gauss Slugs! Gauss Slugs! One for Everyone!
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I'm actually surprised that no one mentioned adding a tiny bit of dish detergent to you water to break the water tension. This is important to prevent decal curling. This is a must to prevent long thin decals from curling. This also helps when setting the decal to the model since the water will wick away from the decal easier and with less effect to the position of the decal. When I say a little bit I mean a very little little bit. Hope that helps.  |
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Catalyst Demo Team
Posts: 9762
Lyrans: The best Beer, Whiskey, Women and 'Mechs.
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I concur with those who promote using Testor's Decal Set. Instructions are right on the bottle. Another useful step for good decal placement is to coat the area where the decal is going to be placed with a little bit of gloss coat using a brush. This will make a nice smooth surface for the decal. -Top |
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Major
Posts: 3370
Solidarity, Brother
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Lacking Testors you can nearly duplicate it with a drop of detergent and some vinegar. (Hold the Testors bottle up to your nose and you'll recognize the scent)
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Master Sergeant
Posts: 346
CBS - so small, so fierce, so very bitter
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Just ordered my first sheets of decals
(shudder) Decals were the bane of my young childhood hopefully these tips and time whould have improved my luck!
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Major
Posts: 3370
Solidarity, Brother
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Just ordered my first sheets of decals
(shudder) Decals were the bane of my young childhood hopefully these tips and time whould have improved my luck!
It's still very very fiddly, but with some patience and willingness to sacrifice a few test-decals I think you'll get the hang of it. |
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