Applying Large Decals

[Toast]

I'm attempting to apply a fairly large decal along the side of car. It's a 1/18 scale car with a funky Fast and Furious style body kit. As it sits the car is painted with a flat black base coat. I'm getting the decal onto the car easy enough but even with setting solution it doesn't lay into the nooks and crannies without breaking. would a gloss coat help the decal move across the surface easier, or is it wise to cut the decal into smaller sections?

[djway3474]

  Toast said:

I'm attempting to apply a fairly large decal along the side of car. It's a 1/18 scale car with a funky Fast and Furious style body kit. As it sits the car is painted with a flat black base coat. I'm getting the decal onto the car easy enough but even with setting solution it doesn't lay into the nooks and crannies without breaking. would a gloss coat help the decal move across the surface easier, or is it wise to cut the decal into smaller sections?

A little soap in the water helps but over flat is not a good idea. If you have any clear areas in the decal you will get silvering where the decals wont settle in the low spots of the paint. You need to lay down gloss, apply the decals then dull coat later.

Dwayne

[Toast]

Thanks

[Modelmartin]

Dwayne's ideas are good. I would add that I use a strong setting solution like Solva-set. I break the rules in these situations by using a damp cloth (cotton t-shirt material) to press the decal into place. I do it before the decal gets really soft. Be carefull not to slide the cloth or push the decal in any direction. Press straight down and then move to another spot. Don't slide it around. Sometimes cutting up large decals is wise, also. Good luck.