I don't know what I'm doing wrong. My decals seem to be cloudy. Here's how I apply mine. First I make the decal on media from Decal Connection. Then cut it as close as possible, dip in luke warm water for about 5 seconds, apply a couple of drops water where the decal will rest and then slide the decal off the backing and onto where it will rest. I then use a wall paper roller to squeegy out the excess water. The roller is a soft foam type and conforms to the shape of the rod. Under artificial lighting the decal looks fine but once I get it out into natural sun light I can see the cloudiness. You can see the complete decal, that which is printed on and not printed on.

Anybody else had this problem and maybe a solution to it?

Thanks,
Steve

3 possibilities...

1. Moving the decal too much; there's just very little adhesive on these things.

2. Bad water; try distilled.

3. Not putting on a glossy surface.

Putter
Williston, ND

What type of blank finish (gloss, matte) I always apply mine over a coat of finish. I use Micro-set instead of water on the blank. No problems yet!!!!

Mike

Putter....I have some decals that were put on with distilled water but they also may have been moved around too much. I try not to moving much at all if I can help it. I always lay down a coat of finish before applying the decal and let that finsih sit for a few days before applying the decal.

Thanks,
Steve

Mike....I may have to try that Micro-Set. I'll give Jimi an email or call about getting some.

Thanks,
Steve

Sometimes I have the same problem. I have starting waiting a minium of 24 hours before putting the finish on and that seems to have helped the problem. And I do use Micro Set.

Ditto on Jim Little's response. I tried everything to get rid of the cloudiness and finally found that I was putting the overcoat of finish on too soon. Use a couple applications of Micro Sol and wait the 24 hour period. I bet your problem goes away. Later, E..

I always put my decals over a coat of flex coat that has cured at least 18 or more hours. I've waited as little as 15 minutes to put my flex coat after i have put the decal in place and never had any cloudiness. The only time it has happened is when i tried to put the decal on a matte blank.
Lance

I put a lamp over the decal and apply finish as soon as I can get it mixed and on the decal with no problems, too. I wasn't ever going to post this, but since ol' Lance did...

Putter
Williston, ND

Before you put it in water --- put it on the blank - mark it some how - 1/4" tape, marker This will give you an area and good idea of where it goes so you don't have to keep moving it around.
I do this with peel and stick and they are usually a one shot deal.

I've had this problem only once.....I concluded (cause it's the only thing I did differant), it was beacuse I put too many coats of epoxy on top.
I put a decal on my last rod, waited 24 hours applied epoxy - no problem-clear- next day put another coat on-no problem -clear.
Put another coat on the following day and BAM...the decal looked cloudy!? I usually only put one coat of Flex coat lite on top of the decal- always without problems?!?
This decal was clear as glass until the 3rd coat- (it's the only explanation I can come up with) now it's "Fogged"?!?!

Jeez, that's weird, Eric. I guess I've never put more than one coat on top of one; so no experience with that at all. I think I'll try to avoid that experience, too!! LOL

Putter
Williston, ND