As mentioned in a couple of posts, I’ve been finishing up two C-Liners in CP-Rail colors from circa 1970. Prior to decalling, I laid down a coat of Glosskote, with the intention of creating a nice, smooth surface for the decals (I’ve seen this recommended multiple places before).
The results were OK, but not incredible- I’m wondering if I was doing something wrong (I’m still new to the whole airbru***hing, much less Glosskote/Dullkote). After having applied the decals, there is still some of the “glazing” which I’ve read is characteristic of applying decals over flat paint- exactly what the Glosskote is supposed to prevent.
IIRC, I had around 30PSI pressure through my Badger 200 airbrush, and was spraying with unthinned Glosskote. I’m wondering if one of the following might be the problem:
- Pressure too low/high?
- Not enough Glosskote applied (in retrospect, didn’t appear all that “glossy”…)?
- Glosskote not thinned?
Suggestions?
Brian Pickering
(P.S., the Walthers Solvaset seems to have nicely set down the hanging “curlie” of the word “Pacific”. Thanks to all who commented on my previous post.)
Did you use the Solvaset on all the decals?
No, just a few which appeared the worst, as regards the “setting down”. The “dangly” part of the script “f” in Pacific was particularly bad, being located right over the rivet plate at the bottom edge of the body, where it didn’t seem to want to curl over to set down on the top portion of the fairing.
See my previous post, with pictures, at:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=48005
I don’t think that the Solvaset is involved in this question- the decals in question had the faint “glazing” which various books make sound like is caused by being applied on a “flat”-painted surface. They had it before, and after, trying the Solvaset.
I should emphasize- overall, the appearance isn’t bad at all. I can’t even see the “glazing” at most angles. I just want to get some idea 1) before I put on the Dullkote over these decals, and 2) for next time I try the Glosskote pre-decalling.
Brian
Gloss coat is an experience thing. You have to practice to get the flow just right. If there is no glossy look when you are applying it then there will be no gloss when it is dry. Get some flat styrene and practice painting it. First spray it with flat black then experiment with gloss coating it. You may find that you needed to put a wetter coat on than you did. Anybody with experience will tell you that getting a good gloss finish is like tight rope walking. you have to be right on the edge of getting runs to ensure you can get a good gloss.
On a related note. I recently stopped using gloss coat and switched to Future floor finish. I have found that the decal setting solution melts the decal right into the fini***o the point that it does not show the edges when clear coated. I am going to experiment with finding a way to “flatten” the Future to see if I can get away from dullcoat also.
Dan Pikulski
www.DansResinCasting.com