Paint on decals question

[iBorg]

I'm trying to build a specific historic race car and there's certain markings that are not available in decals and I'm not confident in my masking the area. I've thought about painting clear decal sheet and then cutting the desired shape and then applying it. Anyone ever try it before? Was it a success?

[Jack L]

I do stripes like that  all the time . I have a supply of old  Fred Cady clear paper that works good

[Shark]

I have painted on clear decal film with enamels and put dry transfers on clear with no trouble.

[peteski]

Yes, hand-painting images on clear decal film is a handy way to make home-brew decals.  Enamels (like Testors) work well. Not sure how well water-based acrylic enamels will stick to the paper, but I suspect it will work too.  If you try using "hot" lacquers, those might affect (melt) the clear film.

As Todd mentioned, applying dry transfers to the clear film, then applying the resulting image to the model is also a good way to deal with dry transfers (which would otherwise be difficult to apply to curved model surfaces)

There are multiple sources of clear decal paper.  I get mine from Bare-Metal (Foil) company.  For what you are planning the decal paper made for laser printers (not ink jets) will work the best.

Edited May 15, 2023 by peteski

[Straightliner59]

I've done it. I use Sign Painter's One-Shot enamel. That's how I did the "Conrad's" on this dragster...