For some reason, on the last two builds I have had some issues with my finish. I did switch decals (went to decal connection) and thats when I started having problems. I dont think its the decals per say. After applying my decals, and putting a top coat of thread finish, all looks good. The next day, the finish has dried in a rippling or wavy texture. Only does this over the decal area. What would cause this?

Next, I ended up stripping that area back down and starting over. This time I applied a little color protector over the decals. Worked fine but, I can see the color preserver now...kinda blueish iridescant looking. More so under natural lighting. I didnt realize color protector could be seen like this. Any tips on any of this would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Brian

The smooth surface of a decal tends to repel epoxy. After applying the decal, you should overcoat it with either color preserver or some sort of clear acrylic spray (matte type).

..............

Not trying to be smart or anything but Decal Connections peel/stick decals have a top layer that has to be peeled off after the decal is burnished on. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that has forgotten to do that LOL [decalconnection.com]

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

I've had good luck using a high build finish and waiting 10 minutes after mixing before applying to a decal.

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

I use Decal Connection peel n stick decals all the time along with Threadmaster Lite and regular without any repelling or rippling or waves. Suspect it is something other then the decal.

There is a Bottom layer to take off then put the decal on

Then there is - the top layer to take off

Bill - willierods.com

I've had issues similar to this in the past on some builds but not all. It has to do with how clean the final label surface is after you apply. I found that most of the ripple areas were around the label edges so it most likely had to do with the application and how I smoothed down the label after I applied it. If you use your finger to smooth the label, it will leave oils around the surface and there may be some glue around the label edge that the finish doesn't like.

As Tom suggested, I solved this with 2 coats of Krylon fixative prior to finishing. Absolutely no issue now so I would suggest this or color preserver.

Terry

I've had issues similar to this in the past on some builds but not all. It has to do with how clean the final label surface is after you apply. I found that most of the ripple areas were around the label edges so it most likely had to do with the application and how I smoothed down the label after I applied it. If you use your finger to smooth the label, it will leave oils around the surface and there may be some glue around the label edge that the finish doesn't like.

As Tom suggested, I solved this with 2 coats of Krylon fixative prior to finishing. Absolutely no issue now so I would suggest this or color preserver.

Terry

Some thing is going wrong I put them on No CP and have not had any problems yet

Sounds like you maybe getting some thing on the decal befor you finish it

Bill - willierods.com

I beleive they also recommend applying one coat of finish on the blank before applying the decal.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Always

Bill - willierods.com