have a number of Walthers Pullman Standard smooth side passenger cars in need of the name/number decals.
Any ideas or tips on how to put the decals on without leaving some mark on the satin finish of the cars sides.
Anyone vote for Walthers to offer these cars with the name/number applied in the factory ??
After the decals have dried apply solvaset or decalset. The glossy film should disappear.
I’ve been painting and lettering for 40 + years (gads, I feel old when I say that) and I’ve never been happy with the appearance of decals applied over a matt finish. Decal solvent will help, but solvent alone doesn’t usually cut it as far as I am concerned.
I have seen several smooth-sided Walthers cars that have been decaled – and the look isn’t bad. From a distance. If “layout quality” is good enough for you, decal away, and apply solvent. Project done.
On the other hand, if close inspection is your thing, I would be inclined to disassemble the cars and clear-coat the sides with a gloss finish before decaling. When the decals are dried, apply a finish coat of your choice. A 50/50 mix of Dullcoat and Glosscoat works for me.
While the cars are disassembled, I would paint the interiors and add window shades or venetian blinds. Probably add passengers as well. The Walthers interiors are nicely detailed, and appropriate for the car types, but the tan plastic looks like – tan plastic.