Polish-decals-clear? Or decals clear polish?

[W117monte]

First time trying micro mesh. I completed the sanding part. I do not have a mirror finish. So should I: polish the body, then decal(it's a drag car, so lots of decals) or shoud I decal, then clear to get the shiny gloss finish. Thanks.

[Smart-Resins]

decals, then two or three coats of clear, then micro mesh. Also as a tip, I have found after going through all of the grits on micro mesh and polish, if yas take thier cloth and breathe on the model, fogging it then rubbing it with thier clothe, you can get a real mirror like finish! Jody

[cruz]

Race cars don't have clearcoats over decals. If you are done rubbing out your paint, apply your decals, wait a few hours and then you can wax the car and decals for that matter.

[W117monte]

Race cars don't have clearcoats over decals. If you are done rubbing out your paint, apply your decals, wait a few hours and then you can wax the car and decals for that matter.

Marcos, i understand that. i guess i should have worded it different. I want a mirror finish from the paint, so should is it safe to polish, and then decal? will the polish affect the decal adhesion?

[cruz]

Okay, let me say it with a picture, in the case of my current Hurst Olds project, I wetsanded my paint with the Micro Mesh system, added my decals and polished everything including the decals. You can also finish with wax if you so desire. The thing is, you should be okay to place your decals after wetsanding the car and then worry about your polishing and waxing at the end. Just make sure that your decals are completely dry, in my case, I waited a whole day for this. I could have waited a few hours, didn't want to....

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It's hard to see the gloss since it's painted white but believe me,it's there, this car does not have any clear added to the paint. I believe that once you polish and wax the car at the end with your decals in place, you will like how everything just blends in nicely. Decals don't stick too well on waxed surfaces, just stay away from that and you should be okay!!!