Simulated Decals

[hot ford coupe]

l: l: l: l: l: l: all the way, Syd.

[sydeem]

Willys41 - I like your use of nail polish the best so far. You forgot to mention how careful one must be when rubbing off the paper as the decal splits easily toward the end operation.

I tried spraying Krylon acrylic “Crystal Clear” on a full sheet to speed up the coating process. Used 10 coats which made a very firm cover but the Krylon seems to penetrate the paper so that the “Decal” does not want to release from the last of the paper. Have you tried anything like this?

One thing rubbing some paper off does is that it makes the logo very thin so that it looks more like a decal than a pasted on paper tag.

[sydeem]

Willys41 has more information about the nail polis technique:

I paint the first coat very thin wait about 10 min next
coats a little thicker and so on I wait about 10 -15 minutes between
coats if you need to on the heavier coats you can dry with a hair
dryer on low warm heat but doesn't take that long to dry. You want to
make sure the polish is dry and hard before you soak it in water and
start to rub off the backing. Yes you do have to be careful rubbing the
paper off.

(Unfortunately this can't seem to be added to the original turotial post)

[Willys41]

Willys41 suggests actually making a decal as follows:

I made a few decals by using a decoupage medium, you brush on coats in opposite directions. After each has dried five or six coats seem to work but you will have to experiment. Then you put them in warm water and rub the paper off the back with your finger until the backing paper is gone and you have just the color on the film you applied. Then lay the transfer on the part and clear coat it. If when cutting the logo out you angle the blade outward this will help in hiding the edges with the final decal .

The other night I was messing around making decals.I used CLEAR NAIL POLISH instead of the decoupage medium, it work also. Use around 7-10 coats letting each dry first and always alternate directions when applying.

I paint the first coat very thin wait about 10 min next
coats a little thicker and so on I wait about 10 -15 minutes between
coats if you need to on the heavier coats you can dry with a hair
dryer on low warm heat but doesn't take that long to dry. You want to
make sure the polish is dry and hard before you soak it in water and
start to rub off the backing. Yes you do have to be careful rubbing the
paper off.

Sydeem said to me "Willys41 - I like your use of nail polish the best so far. You forgot to mention how careful one must be when rubbing off the paper as the decal splits easily toward the end operation."

Yes he is right Rubbing all the paper off makes the logo very thin so that it looks more like a decal . You must soak it very well. Keep your fingers wet and rub the paper so it rolls of the decal . you can stop and leave some white on if decal needs white or rub until decal is all clear.

When decal is done and ready to apply put in warm water to soften nail polish if it needs to go around a corner over something etc. Apply a quick thin coat or small drop of nail polish to back of decal and place on part smooth out and let dry. Then clear coat it as need to to cover decal . Remember the thicker you make the decal with all the coats of polish the more clear you will have to use to hide the thickness.

[Don Garrett]

Great info guys, thanks for sharing. I'm not hi-jacking the thread 'cause this question kinda relates (metal data tags)..........has anyone tried the hobby photo-etching kits? Micro Mark or one of those vendors sells them, I think.:confused: