decals on matt paint

[ec9000]

I am painting a Red Bull sponsored car that has matte finish. The prototype markings have a somewhat glossy sheen typical of applied vinyl graphics. Any thoughts on how to achieve a matte finish paint while allowing the decals to have their natural gloss. In other words, I am trying not to gloss coat model, decal, then flat coat over paint and decals as I don’t want the decals to have a flat finish. Hope my question makes sense. Thanks.

[Chuckyg1]

How about spraying the decal sheet with a satin/semi gloss clear coat, and then apply them to your first finished build? Not 100% sure this would work, just a though.

Edited June 28 by Chuckyg1
Misspelled word.

[JollySipper]

I believe the only part of the decal that is affected by being placed on matte paint is the very outer edge, where it's just carrier film and no graphic...... I think as long as you trim the decals very close to the graphic, they won't 'silver' much, and the decal itself should stay shiny on the flat paint.......

 

[DJMar]

3 hours ago, ec9000 said:

I am painting a Red Bull sponsored car that has matte finish. The prototype markings have a somewhat glossy sheen typical of applied vinyl graphics. Any thoughts on how to achieve a matte finish paint while allowing the decals to have their natural gloss. In other words, I am trying not to gloss coat model, decal, then flat coat over paint and decals as I don’t want the decals to have a flat finish. Hope my question makes sense. Thanks.

Applying decals over a matte finish poses its own problems, which is why you see a lot of military modelers employ this process when applying decals to their builds. Trying to get decals to adhere properly to a matte surface, without silvering, can be challenging.

Depending on the decals, it might be possible to apply them over a dull finish using a good deal of setting solution if they don't have a lot of carrier film visible in the design. You can sometimes trim the decals down to their edges to avoid silvering, but I think you may still face problems with adhesion and lifting. 

Just curious - when looking at the real car that you're trying to replicate, how pronounced is the difference between the car's finish and the sheen of the markings at any sort of normal viewing distance?

[Deathgoblin]

I've done this on my Star Trek ships.  I typically apply the insignias and hull markings over matte paint or even Dullcote.  I dip a brush in decal set and then white Elmer's glue and paint it directly on the surface while the decal soaks.  Slide the decal onto the puddle of glue/set and move it into position, then work it down with a Q-Tip and blot dry.  As it dries, the decal set will help pull it into the crevices and settle over curves and the glue will help keep it from silvering.  If there's any excess on the surface of the decal, a little Novus 1 on a Q-Tip will remove it.    I hope this helps.