timmah

Hi

I've begun to finish a model that I started a while ago (Tamiya Bird cage corsair). I used Humbrol Decalset and all the decals crinkled and made a mess, it also left a residue that I could only remove by re sanding back the topcoat and starting again.

Now, I've re painted it and I was really happy with the shading/weathering effect that I acheived but the matt humbrol enamel left an extremely rough surface that has required several coats of future to get anywhere near a smooth glossy finish in preparation to apply the decals, also the number of coats of future has darkened the paint sufficiently that much of the shading has disappeared.............

What did I do wrong??

Have I/should I........

Applied too much paint in the first place?

Should I have used a fine paper to flat it back first before the coat of future?

Should have added a couple of drops of gloss laquer during painting?

Used too high a pressure through the airbrush?

Used the wrong thinner and the paint has dried too quickly?

or

Is this typical of Humbrol/All enamels?

Any advice appreciated

Thanks
Tim.

maxidad66

It is hard to know exactly what the problem is. The paint to which you applied the decals should have gloss finish and be well cured. (You may have done this). The decals may just have been a poor quality, or simply not needed a a decal setting agent. Decals do wrinkle a little under a setting agent. If you leave them they should settle down to tthe contour of the surface when dry.

Humbrol matt coat has to be really well mixed; you get a sludgy goo at the bottom. I only apply it by brush - I would't dare put it through my airbrush.

Having re-read your post, are you matt-coating before decaling? If so, why? The paint job should be glossy (either a gloss paint, or futured), then decals, then seal with another gloss coat, then weathering and panel lines, matt coat, more weathering if required. (that's my system).

Pan_Am_Clipper_Girl

Hi Timmah. I'd move on to cellulose to be honest. Far easier and you don't have many problems with decals, I only had it once when the coat was too matt and I was using Aeromaster, though I've had a lot of problems with Aeromaster in the past, they are not my fave decal sheets by a long shot. Even with my RN Phantom which was glossy the decals didn't want to stay put. Otherwise cellulose is problem free and you can mix the colours easier too.