Any experience with waterslide decals?

[antyler]

Does anyone have any experience with waterslide decals used on models?
I purchased a model, and im following the steps in the directions:

cut out decal

soak in water for a few seconds

place on paper towel to absorb excess water.

apply once decal slides freely on paper backing

lay decal on model in place, and slide off paper backing.

My problem is that when i slide of the paper backing, all the glue seems to be going with it, because i am just left with a very small, and un sticky piece of vinyl.

I read somewhere online that the decals have a shelf life of about three years, and Im wondering if perhaps my decals are old, and the adhesive is not staying on the decal itself, but on the paper.

Am I missing something? or am i just screwed. Would there be any other recommended ways to apply the decal. ie a different adhesive?

update:
This is the model im working on.

 

[0roo0roo]

as a kid all mine were botched.
i don't think the stickers aged from all those botch builds.
its just delicate cr@p. buy a model builder book at the model store that has pics and all that. shows all the hardcore tricks of getting stuff to look professional. i flipped through one and saw how much trouble it was and never bought another model kit ever again lol

 

[Kelvrick]

Are you using distilled water? I've never had much problem with the decals and then finishing with a layer of clear gloss or flat finish.

Once you apply, you shouldn't touch it at all until completely dry. You can try decal setting solution.

EDIT: Once you slide it off of the paper backing, the water should basically be holding it, then when you press down and sponge away the excess water, it'll lay against whatever it is and then it'll basically adhere itself as it dries into the model.

 

[antyler]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Are you using distilled water? I've never had much problem with the decals and then finishing with a layer of clear gloss or flat finish.

Once you apply, you shouldn't touch it at all until completely dry. You can try decal setting solution.

EDIT: Once you slide it off of the paper backing, the water should basically be holding it, then when you press down and sponge away the excess water, it'll lay against whatever it is and then it'll basically adhere itself as it dries into the model.

Yeah, thats what i was doing. There just doesnt seem to be any glue or adhesive on the back of the decal.

The water holds it there a little bit, but really it just slides around. And when i try sponging or blotting it with a towel or something, it just slides all over the place. . .

maybe I am doing it right and just need more patience with it?

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: antyler

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Are you using distilled water? I've never had much problem with the decals and then finishing with a layer of clear gloss or flat finish.

Once you apply, you shouldn't touch it at all until completely dry. You can try decal setting solution.

EDIT: Once you slide it off of the paper backing, the water should basically be holding it, then when you press down and sponge away the excess water, it'll lay against whatever it is and then it'll basically adhere itself as it dries into the model.

Yeah, thats what i was doing. There just doesnt seem to be any glue or adhesive on the back of the decal.

The water holds it there a little bit, but really it just slides around. And when i try sponging or blotting it with a towel or something, it just slides all over the place. . .

maybe I am doing it right and just need more patience with it?

Sounds like you are doing it right and all you need is a little more patience. Once you have it in place and any air bubbles out just let it dry completely.

 

[shiner]

Always use warm water.

I would skip the whole place on paper towel step as well. Been building models since I was a little kid and I've never done that.

Before you place the decal on the model go ahead and slide it to where it is hanging over the edge of the paper and place the hanging edge of the decal directly onto the plastic and slide it off the paper.

Only problem I've ever had is when the decals were really, really, really old...I'm talking some stuff my Dad bought in the early 70's that didn't get built until the mid 80's.

 

[CorCentral]

Originally posted by: Linflas
Sounds like you are doing it right and all you need is a little more patience. Once you have it in place and any air bubbles out just let it dry completely.

I agree. I was'nt a big model builder, but having finished many RC lexan bodies with this type of decal, you just have to be extra patient and let them dry completely.

They were actually better for me than the lexan sticker/slide type. Alot easier to remove if you want to change them. So I bought many of these water/glue slide stickers from mdl shops that were going out of business

 

[antyler]

thanks for the tips guys.
The part i was working on was pretty tricky, it actually is on the top end of the engine so there are alot of curves and contours.
Now if the main part of the decal is stuck on there and some of the edges were not, will i still be able to stick the rest on if the main part is dry??

Im at work now, but i let one dry overnight, so ill go home later and see if it actually stuck.

Then ill give an update.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: antyler
thanks for the tips guys.
The part i was working on was pretty tricky, it actually is on the top end of the engine so there are alot of curves and contours.
Now if the main part of the decal is stuck on there and some of the edges were not, will i still be able to stick the rest on if the main part is dry??

Im at work now, but i let one dry overnight, so ill go home later and see if it actually stuck.

Then ill give an update.

Depends on how dedicated you are. Sometimes I've sat and held toothpics to edges for like 20 minutes.

Otherwise, get yourself something like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...tem.taf?Itemnumber=319

 

[antyler]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: antyler
thanks for the tips guys.
The part i was working on was pretty tricky, it actually is on the top end of the engine so there are alot of curves and contours.
Now if the main part of the decal is stuck on there and some of the edges were not, will i still be able to stick the rest on if the main part is dry??

Im at work now, but i let one dry overnight, so ill go home later and see if it actually stuck.

Then ill give an update.

Depends on how dedicated you are. Sometimes I've sat and held toothpics to edges for like 20 minutes.

Otherwise, get yourself something like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...tem.taf?Itemnumber=319

wow thats freakin cheap too. that would be neat to have for building the model.

anyways, Im not totally freaking out about detail, I just really dont want it to look real crummy.

First one ive built in like ten years, so I guess its more or less a trial run. Just something for fun.

thanks.

 

[Mermaidman]

Just curious, what are you building?

Here's a pretty cool website for modellers:
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/

Pictures posted by modellers of different skill levels, and helpful articles and links.

 

[antyler]

Ill give that website a look, thanks.

Im building a small scale Corvette. I dont even know the model of it. Its some corvette that won a bunch of races in 05 and 06. Yellow and black all souped up and the like.

Ill see if i can get pictures or something.

I was outa town and chillin with my fam and wanted something to do, and the selection was really slim so I just picked it up.

 

[antyler]

I checked the decal after sitting all night, and it didnt stick at all. There is no adhesive on the back, but i could feel some sticky glue on the paper that the vinyl decal came off of. . .