Decals, Flat finish & Pledge.

If the wood sides have a flat finish and I put Pledge with Future shine where I'm going to place the decals will I get good adhesion?  

Yes. the Shinny paint had NOT bearing on Pledge holding the decal to the surface.

The "shiny" or gloss paint hides the decal edges much better than if you use the decal on a flat painted surface- hence to use a gloss paint before applying decal and using pledge with futureshine.

BTW, you DON't need to wait for the decal to dry before brushing on the pledge.

It would be wise to practice on a piece of scrap wood before working on the model.

Matt

Being a decal manufacture I do not agree with this advice. I use Pledge/Future, since 1982, both under and over decals. However I never top coat the decals until they are dry for about a week. Decals can develop 'silvering' many hours after application so if you coat before they are fully dry you run a risk. Also if the cars finish is to be flat.....I'd not top coat with Future but with Testors dull coat clear....in very light coats...1 or 2.

 My decal application advise comes from many years creating and applying them. I once had to apply decals to 200 1/24 scale race cars!!!! That will break you or make you good at it!!

Thanks for the input Dave and Matt.  Here's my input as a novice.  Decals tend to be glossy so application to a gloss or satin paint tends to blend better than on a dull/flat surface.  Then application of dull coat over both the paint and the decal seems to be a good finish choice.  A satin or gloss finish model may do well with no additional effort.   I doctored it up a bit with grimmy black over the decal area.

SW9 slideshow.  Pictures are from finish to start of project.  Sorry about that. 

Best wishes on your project.

Mike

Thanks guys.  Previous threads on similar topics always mentioned starting with a gloss finish and for some reason I had it in mind that the decals adhered better.  I didn't realize it was for the decals to blend better.  Would the decals adhere to the wood side boards without applying pledge first?

Joe

From the Microscale Decal website FAQ section:

Basic Instructions for the Application of Microscale Waterslide Decals

1. The object to be decaled must have a clean and relatively smooth glossy surface.

2. Cut out the Decal lettering and dip in clean water (preferably Distilled water) anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds.  Note:  Some lettering might take a longer soaking time than other sheets.  Set the Decal on a damp paper towel for a short period of time or until the Decal slides freely on the backing paper.

3. Place Decal where desired on object.  It might be of help if a layer of Micro-Set is brushed on the object first and then place the Decal.  This process will allow the Decal to avoid the Silvering effect that can happen with just the water.  Work as fast as you can in placing the lettering as the Micro-Set starts the wrinkling of the Decal and setting it to the object.

4. Blot gently around the edges of the Decal with a paper towel or tissue to remove excess water and allow to dry completely.  Add more Micro-Set as necessary over the top of the Decal very carefully.  This process will make the Decal lettering a part of the model.

5. When placing a Decal on slightly irregular surfaces, use Micro-Sol.  This is the stronger of the two products and aids in soften the Decal to fill the contour, rivets and crevices on the object.  The setting solution also improves adhesion by eliminating the tiny bubbles that can be trapped under the Decal film.

6. When the Decals are completely dry, it is necessary to wash off the Decal glue and water spots from the object with a damp paper towel or you may brush the water on and then dab it dry.  Do not wipe the Decal lettering.  Drying time may vary, but allow several hours or overnight to before proceeding.

7. It is recommended that a clear protective coating be applied to the entire surface of the object.  The over spraying of the Decals will protect them from handling and seal the painted surface.

Matt