I want to apply small decals to a factory painted passenger car. The decals came with the car to add as desired (car number or name). How can I add them without leaving that film “sheen” behind? I really don’t want to have to spray the entire car gloss and then apply a flat coat just for two small decals. Any suggestions? JRP Great Southwest and Pacific RR
I use Floquil flat dullcoat in a jar. After you apply the decals and use solvaset sparingly, brush on the floquil flat right out of the jar. Just make sure you only paint over the decal.
I’d guess that the car comes from the factory with a “satin” or “semi-gloss” surface. That’s generally good for applying decals. A gloss surface isn’t really necessary.
If you’ve already applied a flat surface, though, you should upgrade that before applying decals, or they won’t come out the way you’d like.
You don’t need to spray the whole model. Use blue painters’ tape and heavy paper or cardboard to cover the rest of the car, and just leave the area around the decals exposed. Or, get a jar of paint-on Dull-Coat as has already been suggested.