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Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Clint Ormosen on May 12, 2019, 11:52:42 PM
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I'm going to need to make some small lettering decals for the F-86. Since Letrasets seem to be a thing of the past and kinda difficult to use anyway, decals seem the only option unless a vinyl cutter can cut 1/8" lettering.
What say you on this? Is there a decal paper that's dope resistant?
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It’s been awhile, but Micro Mark inkjet decal paper has worked for me. Over coated with nitrate. Probably other sources.
NormF
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cricuts can cut some pretty tiny stuff, i was amazed when my sister cut me decals for my sportsman goodyear!
from what i understand with the decal papers, you gotta spray on a few coats of dope pretty light and dry first, then cut them out and apply them. a couple dry coats after application to seal the edges aren't a bad idea, either.
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Ty, doesn’t the dope eat the Krylon clear?
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So the decals still wet/separate from the backer AFTER they've been Krylon-clear coated, but before applied to the model? Does the clear coat make the decals less flexible on contoured surfaces?
Thanks in advance!
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Have you tried printing with a laser jet? Years ago I used sticky back clear mylar with a laser jet for black numbers/names. Just peeled the backing and floated on with water. No coating needed for fuel proofing and it lasted the life of the planes. The newer laser jets are supposed to be equal to ink jets for art work now...but I haven't tried them to prove it.
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Yes they separate and conform to the models surface just like always. The Krylon prevents the colors from running when wet, one bad thing about ink jet printers, even after the decal has dried over night. I wish I had a laser printer, but out of my price range. Ink jet printers lay the color on the top of the decal. I think, and may be wrong, but the laser printer in beds the color in the decal medium. A former member had access to a laser printer at work and made many of our decals. They never faded or ran. D>K
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Yes, lasers etch/fuse the colors into the surface...that's why mylar is the preferred backing. The only issue I ever had with doing sticky back mylar was the edges could eventually peel if you weren't careful cleaning the plane. I rounded off corners to help that. Mylar sheets ain't cheap but putting a finish over them is totally eliminated. You can buy it in satin or glossy at office depot type places.
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Micro Mark has decal paper for laser printers, it is thinner and doesn't need to be clear coated before applying. It won't work in an inkjet printer. Put your graphics on a thumb drive and trot on down to Office Depot, be sure to tell them what is and set the printer for highest quality. The decals stick better and are much better after clear coating, the edges will disappear when done correctly.
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Micro Mark has decal paper for laser printers, it is thinner and doesn't need to be clear coated before applying. It won't work in an inkjet printer. Put your graphics on a thumb drive and trot on down to Office Depot, be sure to tell them what is and set the printer for highest quality. The decals stick better and are much better after clear coating, the edges will disappear when done correctly.
Mike, are these water slide decals, or press n stick type?
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Water slide. My Freedom 45 has them. That's all Howard will use, they really are much better.
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Here is the cheapest way to try it out. https://www.micromark.com/LASER-TRY-IT-PACK
LaserJet decals don't need to be clear coated before application, you can, but it doesn't help anything. Be sure to make rounded corners when you cut out the images, the will lay down a little better and not so likely so lift with the clear coat. I put several coats of clear on the decals (after applying) before spraying the rest of the model, they will feather out and the edges will disappear. I only used Krylon once, the dope made it wrinkle and I never did it again. Dope works just fine and you don't have to have an extra spray can laying around.
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Thanks Mike! Good info.
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Thanks Mike! Good info.
AFAIC it's scary territory fiddling with making waterslide decals and clear coating with dope, I'm just chicken. I'd follow Mike's recipe though, I saw Howards decals on his model once and there was no discerning them as decals. I specifically remember some very small lettering on the nose and you'd never know it wasn't paint, looked awesome.
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My decals use the official JCT Bel material. It’s not the traditional water-slide stuff from the old days—I reckon it’s Mylar—but it slides around fine if you give it a toot of Windex.
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My decals use the official JCT Bel material. It’s not the traditional water-slide stuff from the old days—I reckon it’s Mylar—but it slides around fine if you give it a toot of Windex.
So Howard, since I have no laser printer, magic JCT decal paper, or the knowledge to use either one if I did have them, what should it take to convince you to run some decals for me?
...and before you say no, keep in mind I'm often your flight judge. But don't let that influence your decision.
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Bel is the brand. I don’t have a color laser printer either. I bought one, but it didn’t work, so I gave it to the guy who dug my irrigation trenches. The last decals I did at Office Depot with a particularly patient clerk.
Keep up the good judging, though. Better yet, build a dadgum airplane and fly. Oh, I guess you did, but got stuck at the decal stage.
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Keep up the good judging, though. Better yet, build a dadgum airplane and fly. Oh, I guess you did, but got stuck at the decal stage.
When this nightmare is over an Evolution is on the board. You’ll still beat me, but by 3 less points. I’m kinda happy about that.
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I print mine with an inkjet.
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What inkjet? My Canons didn’t work, but I was using laser paper.
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I use an HP 5550 inkjet printer with inkjet decal paper. Works pretty well overall.
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I recently acquired a laser printer and gave away my inkjet. As a result, there is a spare pack of clear base inkjet decal paper available. Pay the shipping (USPS envelope $6?) and it is first come, first gets it.
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FWIW I had good luck with Bel decal paper . Sadly I tried to buy more and they appear to be out of business. I purchased some micro mart and it’s not working well with my LED printer