Weathering paint whilst partially retaining decals

[chunkypeanutbutter]

For a new project I'm doing (another rusty Datsun, this time a 510), the plan is to make it look like a racecar that was abandoned somewhere and then pulled out by an enthusiast to fix up. I have some decals for it, sponsors and numbers and such. How can I weather the whole car but keep most of the decals on? I was thinking to paint it primer or steel, then a color coat, then a rust coat, and then dip it in Purple Power for half an hour like I did with my Cannonball Scout so I get all the paints together, then apply decals and sand them partially away with fine-grit paper, then apply rust powder and final details.

My real question, I suppose, is would this work? How well do decals stand up to sanding? I don't really have enough to experiment with it right now.

Thanks in advance.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I did an experiment like you describe on this old AMT '32 gluebomb I wanted to turn into a "barn find" that's being brought back to life. The car had been enamel painted and decaled years ago, and was completely dry. It also had a lot of orange peel, bad decal edges, and trash in the paint.

I started sanding on it with 1200 grit wet, chipped it in a couple of places intentionally, and just fiddled until I got a feel for how it might look in the end.

It turned out being more experiment than serious build, and this is as far as it ever got (though I'm considering using the technique on something similar in the future).

Edited June 7, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy

[chunkypeanutbutter]

That looks perfect. I'll try it.

[b-body fan]

I used to paint my primer, then a " rust " coat. Then clear it with future or any clear. Lay on some color. Sand away the color down to the rust where you want it. I think if you clear over the decals this would work well. After that a light white wash makes it look faded if you want. Testors Dulcote to finish it up! Hope this helps. Mike.