I just had a peel and stick decal de-laminate. I applied epoxy directly to the decal. Should I have used CP first? Has anyone seen a decal de-laminate before? I've never had an issue with decals in the past.

George Forster
Fort Collins, CO

at what stage of build did the decal delaminate George? i would assume it was first coat after applying the decal.

Yep, it happened while the first coat of epoxy was still wet.

George Forster
Fort Collins, CO

Sounds like contamination on blank to make decal lift. Was it an adhesive decal or water slide? Only thing I can think of is put decal on and wait couple hrs to see if it lifts. If no lifting,then apply epoxy.

Only the top part of the decal lifted. The bottom layer stayed perfectly affixed to the blank. The top layer of the decal separated from the bottom layer.

George Forster
Fort Collins, CO

If you are talking the new peel and stick decals from Decal Connection, there is a backing sheet, the decal itself and then a third layer that is there to allow you to press the decal down. You remove that top layer after the decal is in place. These new peel and stick decals are made in the same kind of process as vinyl decals like you might apply to your vehicle.

it isnt necessarily contamination. most of our epoxy resins contain stable solvents. when applied they can dissolve the adhesive backing of most decals. especially if the adhesive is chemically weak or the bond is not continuous, allowing the epoxy to penetrate areas of the adhesive other than the outer edges. Usually a good bond over the entire surface area of the decal prevents the adhesive being dissolved except around the very edges.

I have been experimenting with/ using the deft water based polyurethane mentioned a month or so ago, and have had excellent results. after applying decals i now coat the entire decal and the edges, preventing the adhesive from coming into contact with the epoxy, and thereby eliminating this problem.

It looks like the adhesive backing separated from the decal. Is there an easy fix at this point? Most of the decal is fine. There are just a couple of points where it has lifted. I'm wondering if I can glue them down and then apply the next coat of epoxy. If that doesn't work, how do I remove the decal without damaging the inscription on the opposite side?

if there is only minimal epoxy buildup on the underside of the decal, and that the laminate were it to be adhered, would lay flat, i would suggest you apply a 5 min 2 part epoxy in small amounts to adhere the decal laminate to the blank once more. to get the decal to lay flat while the epoxide bonds you can wrap wax paper tight to the rod, by affixing the ends with masking tape.

personally i would remove and reapply if extra decals were available.