Decals and clear coat

[bluestringer]

Is it best to put on decals before clear or after. I'll be using pledge floor polish for the clear coat. Should I apply the clear, decals, then a second coat of clear? 

[Classicgas]

Depends on what you are building. 

[bluestringer]

2 hours ago, Classicgas said:

Depends on what you are building. 

 

Don't see why, but it's a 69 Dodge Charger. 

[Classicgas]

Because it depends. NASCAR models, you wouldn't put clear over sponsor decals, they are vinyl appliques put on over the paint. Even most 60's factory stock stripes were put on over the paint. You need to research what you are building, and try to find vintage photos if possible, restorations are not always correct.

[bluestringer]

2 hours ago, Classicgas said:

Because it depends. NASCAR models, you wouldn't put clear over sponsor decals, they are vinyl appliques put on over the paint. Even most 60's factory stock stripes were put on over the paint. You need to research what you are building, and try to find vintage photos if possible, restorations are not always correct.

Ok. Thanks. It's just a generic drag car, so there would be no vintage photos. I'm not trying to be accurate as far as what would be done on a real car, just wondering the best way to facilitate getting the decals on and look best. I guess either way would be ok. 

[Classicgas]

I would clear over any that represent paint  and not clear over things like contingency and sponsor decals

[peteski]

Or if you will be handling the model a lot (or like smooth shiny models) then apply clear after decals (to seal and protect them).  To be honest, since model decals have clear film, usually extending beyond the images, that does not look like 1:1 vinyl stickers (since those do not have out-of-scale clear film).  Well, you could carefully trim the clear decal film from around the images, but that is a but of extra work. It is really up to what look you prefer.

[Classicgas]

It's not really that much work to remove the clear film. If you take the time to sand mold seams, etc, it's less time consuming and easier than that. To me it's the difference between building a toy and making a miniature replica of something. Details like that make a big difference. Of course some don't care and just want to slap together something and call it model building. Each to their own, but I care about a job well done and want my work to look accurate and something I can be proud of.