Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

How do you dont get that "glare" from the decal?

Are you talking about the silvering around the edges of the decal? If so I would suggest Micro Sol to help the decals mold to the surface of the model. Other then that I would suggest applying Matte Varnish.

MiniPaintingV wrote:
How do you dont get that "glare" from the decal?

GLOSS varnish the surface BEFORE you put it on.
GLOSS varnish OVER the decal AFTER you put it on.
MATT varnish afterwards to tie it all in.

If you omit the second gloss coat, you will get 'silvering' along the edges of the decal. Decals adhere better to a gloss surface.

MiniPaintingV wrote:
How do you dont get that "glare" from the decal?

What works for me is I put on a gloss coat where the decal is going to be to give it a smooth surface to adhere to. This eliminates the silvering effect from the air trapped under the decal from being on a flat finish paint. Then, once the decal is dry, I varnish with whatever varnish I'm using for that particular model. If I've done it correctly you can't see any of the film the decal is printed on.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 chromedog wrote:
If you omit the second gloss coat, you will get 'silvering' along the edges of the decal. Decals adhere better to a gloss surface.

I've never had that problem myself but it's still a good idea, if nothing more than more protection for the decal.

 chromedog wrote:
GLOSS varnish the surface BEFORE you put it on.
GLOSS varnish OVER the decal AFTER you put it on.
MATT varnish afterwards to tie it all in.

If you omit the second gloss coat, you will get 'silvering' along the edges of the decal. Decals adhere better to a gloss surface.

^This.

Chrome omitted the sometimes necessary use of decal softeners and cutting, to help the transfer wrap to any bumpy surfaces or textures, but otherwise this is all you need to know.

 Orki wrote:

 chromedog wrote:
GLOSS varnish the surface BEFORE you put it on.
GLOSS varnish OVER the decal AFTER you put it on.
MATT varnish afterwards to tie it all in.

If you omit the second gloss coat, you will get 'silvering' along the edges of the decal. Decals adhere better to a gloss surface.

^This.

Chrome omitted the sometimes necessary use of decal softeners and cutting, to help the transfer wrap to any bumpy surfaces or textures, but otherwise this is all you need to know.

^ This again.

Do a few searches...there are more in depth tutorials around. Also, if you use a "setter" or "softer" product (designed to help set the decal, or soften them up to adhere to curved surfaces) you will get better results.

Note that the decal setters are not required, but can help. The best advice is the gloss/matte info above.