Hello all, I am relative new to scale modelling and would like to learn how to eliminate the transparent raised edge of the decal for a painted on look. Every website and video advises to gloss, place decals, put decal softener to 'melt' and finally matte coat. I have tried many time but to no avail. I don't get any decal silvering but I also just can't eliminate the raised edge/border of the decal. Although after many coats of decal softener and matte coats, the border is slightly reduced but upon closer inspection, one can still see the faint edge.

Any help is much appreciate.

Thanks FJ

Welcome, to the Forum
First thing is apply a coat of clear gloss to where the decal goes.
Let dry , and then apply your decal, apply Micro sol,or whatever you use to set decal to surface.
Let dry , and apply a coat of Clear gloss, , and after that a matt coat.

About it.

Also trim off as much off the excess decal film as you can.

Yep forgot that part , good catch Anthony

Many thanks for your replies. Appreciate it very much. Good suggestion to trim of the excess. That one is new to me, will try it.

Jeff and Anthony pretty much covered all the steps, but there is one other point worth making. Some manufacturers provide nice, high-quality decals on very thin film, which when properly applied passes quite well; however, some manufacturers' decals use very thick film that can be very difficult to apply with satisfactory results. In those cases, multiple coats of some thing like Pledge floor polish will be needed to level the decals with the surface of the model. Easy to lose a lot of panel line detail that way, though.

If you can get it, I recommend Walthers Decal Solvent. Somehow, I ended up with two bottles. One should be plenty for a lifetime of kits.
After you apply the solvent, make sure you wait long enough for it to set. If not, you will destroy the decal and foul the paint.

P.S. I have found that Tamiya Clear Gloss, applied by airbrush provides the best finish. Given, it is more expensive than Pledge; but I find you need much less.