Slixx Decals

[Zippi]

I bought these Slixx Decals from Model Roundup last summer and thought this would be a Great fit for my re-build of the 41 Willy's Gasser.  The clear area around the letters sticks out like a sore thumb.  Never had this happen before.  Maybe because they are on a black body???  Anybody have this happen before?  Any way to help them look better?

[magicmustang]

Have you given them a coat of Future polish?

[Old Buckaroo]

Ive only seen decals silver like that when put over a flat, or semi gloss finish and sometimes a very rough pebbly gloss finish.  If none of those were the cause contact Slixx as they are great people.

[Zippi]

17 minutes ago, magicmustang said:

Have you given them a coat of Future polish?

I have not.

[Zippi]

5 minutes ago, Old Buckaroo said:

Ive only seen decals silver like that when put over a flat, or semi gloss finish and sometimes a very rough pebbly gloss finish.  If none of those were the cause contact Slixx as they are great people.

Yeah...none of the above.  It's a nice smooth finish of 2K Clear.  I have reached out to Becky at Slixx earlier.  We'll see what they have to say.

[spencer1984]

I did have that happen, also over gloss black. It was a much smaller decal than what you have, though, so I just kind of ignored it. I'm curious to hear what if anything they have to say to you.

[Zippi]

3 minutes ago, spencer1984 said:

I did have that happen, also over gloss black. It was a much smaller decal than what you have, though, so I just kind of ignored it. I'm curious to hear what if anything they have to say to you.

I hear ya Bill.  I'm not sure I can do anything to fix this so I may just have to try and peel them off and try again.  

[Scott Eriksen]

Zip,,did you try Micro Sol decal setting solvent?

[Zippi]

50 minutes ago, Scott Eriksen said:

Zip,,did you try Micro Sol decal setting solvent?

Well, a friend of mine suggested the Tamiya decal set which I'm going to pick up tomorrow and see what happens.  

[Mike 1017]

These are not Slixx deals. I have tried everything to dull these decals. No luck. Zippi is probably right about flat finishes. 

Mike

[Jim N]

What is happening is that the decal is "silvering".  It is not setting on the paint snugly and the light is getting between the decal and the paint.  If the decal is dry, setting solution may not help.

I build race cars for the most part, and therefore, have to deal with a lot of decals.  I strongly recommend that you cut as much of the clear decal from the actual art work as you can.  It minimizes the silvering effect.

[Zippi]

3 hours ago, Mike 1017 said:

These are not Slixx deals. I have tried everything to dull these decals. No luck. Zippi is probably right about flat finishes. 

Mike

I hear ya Mike.

[Zippi]

1 hour ago, Jim N said:

What is happening is that the decal is "silvering".  It is not setting on the paint snugly and the light is getting between the decal and the paint.  If the decal is dry, setting solution may not help.

I build race cars for the most part, and therefore, have to deal with a lot of decals.  I strongly recommend that you cut as much of the clear decal from the actual art work as you can.  It minimizes the silvering effect.

Thanks for the info.

[rattle can man]

I have to agree. for some reason the decal did not snug down to the surface. Flat paint or rough surfaces are the usual culprit. perhaps there was something on the surface that prevented them from adhering to the surface. oil from finger prints? residue from polish, wax or other cleaners? 

[rattle can man]

Just a thought. If you try setting solution, it might help if you try making a few pinholes in the decal so the solvent can get under the decal.

[Zippi]

3 hours ago, rattle can man said:

I have to agree. for some reason the decal did not snug down to the surface. Flat paint or rough surfaces are the usual culprit. perhaps there was something on the surface that prevented them from adhering to the surface. oil from finger prints? residue from polish, wax or other cleaners? 

I hear ya.  Who knows.

[Zippi]

3 hours ago, rattle can man said:

Just a thought. If you try setting solution, it might help if you try making a few pinholes in the decal so the solvent can get under the decal.

I think before I mess up the paint I'm going to try and get the decals off and try and find some replacements.

[slusher]

Bob, they could be old decals and could have caused it. I do remember my brother trimming close to his decals withi a hobby knife, he had steady Hards…

Edited January 22 by slusher

[Zippi]

6 hours ago, slusher said:

Bob, they could be old decals and could have caused it. I do remember my brother trimming close to his decals withi a hobby knife, he had steady Hards…

I hear ya Carl.  Steady hands 😁

[Zippi]

Problem solved.  Decals have been removed.  Now to see if I have something to use.  May have to order some new decals.

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

Decals are designed to adhere to a smooth surface. Gloss paint is smooth. The reason it looks shiny is that the light is reflecting off of that smooth surface directly to your eyes. Flat paint and in this case semi-gloss paint is not smooth, the reason it looks flat is because the light is not reflecting directly back at you but is being reflecting in all directions off of the bumpy surface. So, this a long way around to explaining why your decals are silvering. They won't adhere to a flat 'bumpy' surface because as others have stated, air is getting in between the decal and the paint. 

The solution? Put on shiny paint, put on the decals and then hit them with another coat of gloss clear to firmly adhere them (this coat may be optional?) and THEN put on your semi gloss or flat paint. Problem solved. I hope this helps. -RRR

[Zippi]

38 minutes ago, Rocking Rodney Rat said:

Decals are designed to adhere to a smooth surface. Gloss paint is smooth. The reason it looks shiny is that the light is reflecting off of that smooth surface directly to your eyes. Flat paint and in this case semi-gloss paint is not smooth, the reason it looks flat is because the light is not reflecting directly back at you but is being reflecting in all directions off of the bumpy surface. So, this a long way around to explaining why your decals are silvering. They won't adhere to a flat 'bumpy' surface because as others have stated, air is getting in between the decal and the paint. 

The solution? Put on shiny paint, put on the decals and then hit them with another coat of gloss clear to firmly adhere them (this coat may be optional?) and THEN put on your semi gloss or flat paint. Problem solved. I hope this helps. -RRR

I appreciate the info RRR.  Putting decals over the polished surface is how I've done it for years and never had any issues.  That's why I'm thinking the decals may be old but really don't know.  I have removed the decals and a good friend is sending me a new decal sheet.  This time around I'm going with the Tamiya decal setting solution. 

[Mike 1017]

On 1/21/2025 at 2:16 PM, Zippi said:

I hear ya Mike.

With some lighting manipulation and some editing tools. I was able to get a better-looking picture.

 

[Jim Whalen]

Before I put decals on a surface I polish the paint with polishing cloths, but I do not use any compounds or wax.  When I apply the decals I make use of decal solvents and then put the parts in a food dehydrator.  The next day I gently wipe them with a damp kitchen towel and put them back into the dehydrator.  A day or two later I then clear them, or use wax if not putting clear over them (for certain effects, like an older car, or on clear parts).  I haven't had any problems so far - this process was used on the two Corvettes pictured here.

[Straightliner59]

I am wondering if it's not the adhesive. Since you applied them over polished paint,  silvering shouldn't be an issue. I am thinking the adhesive didn't dry clear.