Flat paint question

[Modlbldr]

I am doing a paint job that I want to have a flat, aged look. Something similar to a military style paint job. I want it to have a flat white detail stripe done with decals. I painted the body with Testors Intermediate blue to start. If I am not mistaken I need a gloss coat to apply the decals to.

My question is how do I get the flat look back after applying the gloss and decals? If I put down a top coat of Dull Coat won't I end up with a semi gloss finish? Should I just skip the gloss coat? If I do, won't the decals silver on me?

Later-

[Jantrix]

you could start with a flat paint. in most cases decals will adhere to it. you can clear with a dull coat.

[Matt T.]

You need a glossy surface for decals to adhere best, with no silvering. After that, hit it with Dullcote and it will be flat. Dullcote is the flattest finish available, it knocks down all sheen. Try it.

[jaymcminn]

When I built planes, I would hit my flat finish with Glosscote before applying decals. After the decals had set I would hit it with another coat of Glosscote to seal them and prevent silvering before applying Dullcote. I always wound up with a perfectly flat finish where the decals were almost indistinguishable from the paint.

[Quick GMC]

the glossier the finish, the smoother it is. I would prefer to apply decals over a smooth finish so I wouldn't get any texturing. It's a coating, so it should be the final finish. Using flat over gloss should give you flat.

what is silvering?

[Matt T.]

what is silvering?

It's when you can see the carrier film of a decal once it has dried. I guess it looks silver over darker colors. It can happen on any finish, shiny or flat, but almost always happens when a decal is applied to a flat finish.

[Modlbldr]

Thanks guys for the input. I think I'll try jaymcminn's way since it is what I had in mind in the first place. And he says he has used it on aircraft. That is essentially the look I want. Thanks again.

Later-