Decals - when?

[DrifterBKK]

Hello all,

I've been looking for some specific information on decal application.

Is it better to apply decals before parts are glued and connected? The model is a circuit GTR which has a large number of decals. Is applying them to the body before the body is fitted to the rest of the car better?

Also, sometimes the water run-off and drips leave reminance of the decal glue. It leaves ugly smears and white spots.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

[JimmyO78]

The correct answer is generally in the project you’re working on. There isn’t a strict rule about this – it depends on the situation. I also don’t know your skill level so you’ll have to excuse me if I’m over simplifying. If you want to know something specific, feel free to ask.

In general, if you don’t have any post decal process (like applying clear coat over decals) to do after the decals have been applied and it doesn’t look like you’ll damage them putting the part back on, you have a choice.

You can work with a slightly damp clean towel beside you to wipe up the decal adhesive as you go along. This is a good idea regardless of when you apply them. Just be careful cleaning up around the freshly applied decals.

If you’ve never done this before, try to minimize handling of the decals after they have been applied. Decals can and will stick to your hands for a time after you’ve applied them. Be sure everything is dry, including your hands before you attempt to put things back together.

Google for “applying decals to plastic models” and you’ll get more information than you can reasonably use – which is generally a good thing.

[vwallace]

Well, it would be the best option to apply decals when the paint has already been applied and has already been allowed to settle. It would not be great for the piece to have the decals applied if there are sill bits that need to be painted and need to be polished.

But there are those who would choose to weather even after the decals have been applied so that would likely be the lone exception.