Decal question for muscle cars

[beeRS]

I'm building Revell's 1968 Dodge Dart and I got a question about the black stripe decal that I'm sure someone can help with.

In fact, I guess this question would apply to any 60's Muscle car.

It's being built as a factory stock car, but what I need to know is should the decal be placed before or after the clear coat? I would have guessed that the 1:1 car would be painted in the factory and then the stripes applied over the top, but I have seen pics of cars where it looks like the stripes are under the clear lacquer like this...

help!

[gman]

Back in the day, the 1:1 car was painted and stripe decals were put on over that paint. That meant there were differences in shine between paint and stripe, and the raised edges of the applied stripe could be both seen and felt rather than being buried under a clear coat.

The photo you have attached appears to have painted stripes under a clear coat. Considering auto makers used color coats without any clear top coat in '68, if you want to be accurate for factory stock then paint the car and apply your decals. If you use a base coat/clear coat paint job, then place your decals over the clear. If you want your model to represent something more like the attached photo (a modern restoration) and aren't concerned about being accurate to 1968 techniques then applying clear over decals is fine- if you go this route, test first to ensure the clear won't lift or otherwise damage your decals and be sure to give them time to dry before applying any clear coat.

[Eshaver]

Greg is correct . I know on the Ford products , these decals went on after the car was painted and usually were a semi- gloss color . If you like , I can go take some pictures of an original 70 Mach I I'm rebuilding for a client . The car has been garaged since 1973 ...............

[Guest]

I concur, Greg is correct.

[beeRS]

Thanks all for the info. I guess this would apply any 60's / 70's muscle car.

Greg is correct . I know on the Ford products , these decals went on after the car was painted and usually were a semi- gloss color . If you like , I can go take some pictures of an original 70 Mach I I'm rebuilding for a client . The car has been garaged since 1973 ...............

Ed, pics of the Mach 1 would be appreciated.

[Danno]

Thanks all for the info. I guess this would apply any 60's / 70's muscle car.

Yep. Pretty much.