Racersonly Posted August 2, 2016 Posted August 2, 2016 I'm building a kit were I need to accurately match up a paint line with a decal. I'm considering placing the decals first, so I can locate the paint line correctly. (Would be BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH near impossible to mask the line and paint before laying the decal and have it line up right.) My concern is, how do I keep from pulling up the decal when I remove the masking tape? Should I clear coat the decal first? Will that prevent the decal from pulling up? Might there be any suggestions?
curt raitz Posted August 2, 2016 Posted August 2, 2016 I'm building a kit were I need to accurately match up a paint line with a decal. I'm considering placing the decals first, so I can locate the paint line correctly. (Would be BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH near impossible to mask the line and paint before laying the decal and have it line up right.) My concern is, how do I keep from pulling up the decal when I remove the masking tape? Should I clear coat the decal first? Will that prevent the decal from pulling up? Might there be any suggestions?Yikes...that is really scary! Even under a clearcoat the decal will more than likely lift when removing the masking tape! You can try using the liquid mask from Microset.I've also photocopied the decal and created a mask for the area to be covered by the decal.Good Luck
Snake45 Posted August 2, 2016 Posted August 2, 2016 There are two general rules about Decals And Tape:1. If you are trying to pull up a decal with tape, it won't budge. Nothing will budge it, and it will have to be sanded off.2. If you are trying to mask over a decal and leave it intact, even low-task masking tape will take it right off. And your paint, too.Seriously, you can get very low-tack "removable" Scotch tape that might work, if you can keep it on.You might also be able to mask at least on your decal with a Post-It Note, which is pretty low tack. At one time Scotch sold Post-It Glue Sticks, which were great for making masks out of paper or foil, but I haven't seen it in a while. But check out the "scrapbooking" section of Walmart or craft stores for removable glue sticks, which might be the same thing.Of course, you should do some tests before going live on your good job.
Pete J. Posted August 2, 2016 Posted August 2, 2016 Take a trick from the armor and aircraft guys and mask it off with Silly Putty. Oh, yea, clear coat it first or anything sticky will take the decal off. Just don't leave the Silly Putty on any longer than it takes to paint. You can roll it out and cut it to get a straight line. If conforms very nicely.
peteski Posted August 3, 2016 Posted August 3, 2016 (edited) Like Curt said, making a mask from the decal (photocopy or even hand-tracing) would be the way I would go. Then paint and apply decal after painting. I'm also curious as to why the edge of the paint cannot partially go under the decal (so the edge of the decal defines the demarcation line)? is the decal not opaque enough? Edited August 3, 2016 by peteski
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