Submarine decals

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  • petn7
    Junior Member
    • Jun 2003
    • 616

    #1

    Submarine decals

    I read a lot about dry transfer for our R/C submarines, but what about the included wet transfer decals supplied in plastic model kits like from companies Trumpeter and Revell? Do they work just fine when applied between the final clear flat coats?
  • Rogue Sub
    Junior Member
    • Jul 2006
    • 1724

    #2
    Ive had about 50/50 success

    Ive had about 50/50 success with them. Sometimes they wrinkle up sometimes nothing at all. Might depend on the paint.

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    • chips
      Member
      • Feb 2003
      • 494

      #3
      The water slide decals will

      The water slide decals will work, but they need to be applied to a glossy surface. After a few days, you can spray on a flat clear coat and then any weathering. I've applied dry transfer decals to blank water slide decal paper, shoot with a clear coat, then apply to my models, then spray on a flat clear coat. I've done draft marks for subs and targets this way for years and haven't had any problem.

      A secret for the draft marks, get some 3M Post-it sticky notes, and lay out the proper spacing on the sticky note. Apply the marked sticky note to the decal paper, then rub on the dry transfers at the appropriate marks.


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      • petn7
        Junior Member
        • Jun 2003
        • 616

        #4
        The water slide decals will

        The water slide decals will work, but they need to be applied to a glossy surface. After a few days, you can spray on a flat clear coat and then any weathering. I've applied dry transfer decals to blank water slide decal paper, shoot with a clear coat, then apply to my models, then spray on a flat clear coat. I've done draft marks for subs and targets this way for years and haven't had any problem.

        A secret for the draft marks, get some 3M Post-it sticky notes, and lay out the proper spacing on the sticky note. Apply the marked sticky note to the decal paper, then rub on the dry transfers at the appropriate marks.
        Why is that? Do water slide decals stick better to glossy clear coats than flat clear coats? Or is there some cosmetic reasoning?

        Comment

        • JWLaRue
          Managing Editor, SubCommittee Report
          • Aug 1994
          • 4281

          #5
          A flat or semi gloss

          A flat or semi gloss surface is not very smooth, which means you would end up with air trapped beneath the decal. This does two things: it reduces the ability of the decal to stick to the model because most of the decal is not touching the surface of the model and the trapped air gives the clear decal film a silvery appearance.

          After applying the decals to a gloss surface, you can clearcoat it with a dull/flat coat to get the desired look to the finished model.

          -Jeff
          Rohr 1.....Los!

          Comment

          • petn7
            Junior Member
            • Jun 2003
            • 616

            #6
            That makes sense Jeff, thanks.

            That makes sense Jeff, thanks.

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