hey

how do you weather decals like the numbers on the side of a turret and also do you rip corners off to make it look like its weathered to.


cheers
matt

Matt after applying the decal to a gloss coat and then sealing with another clear gloss coat I just weather the model as normal. As the decal is sealed off the weathering you add will not only do the model but the decals as well.

cheers
Cliff

PS> yes I have purposely damaged decals before applying them as well.

Matt,
How I go about weathering decals is pretty much what Mr.Roo said, first apply the gloss coat then decal. Once the decal is good and dry, I'll scrape or scratch the decal using my hobby knife till I get the effect I'm looking for. Then I'll apply a gloss coat over the model/decal to start the weathering. The gloss coat will help with the weathing allowing the wash to flow much easier in and around the nooks and crannys. Once I achieve the right look, I'll then seal it under a dull coat or two.

Sorry to hijack Matt's post.

But do you guys usually gloss the whole kit or just the area where the decals are going to be applied on.?

The whole kit, as this sets the model up nicely to receive a wash.

Hi Matt,

I tend to gloss over the decal area only, glossing over the entire model for me, just welcomes the likelyhood of spraying a cat hair onto my model. Once the gloss is set, place your decal, let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, (brushing off any excess moisture and decal glue) and brush on a bit of Solva set solution, to soften the decal and make it conform to the underlying surface. Once the decal dries out, spray a coat of flat coat over the glossed area.

A quick note about washes, if you use oil paint to apply your wash, then yes you will need a glossy surface, but if you use tube water paint diluted with tap water (which is what I use) then a flat coat is needed, and this saves having to gloss over the entire model.

Which ever way you go, good luck...
Frank

EDIT: As far as weathering, spray a diluted dusting of brown or buff over the finished decal, just enough to dirty it up. You do not want to dry brush the decal area as it will catch the decal film edge and give you an unwanted paint frame around it.

I don't weather decals, I weather the model. The best method has been previously explained. I spray my whole model down with Future, decal it, weather, and spray on Testor's dullcoat rattlecan to finish. If I diorama, then I weather again to match the scene....as dirt colors change and other factors show up.

wouldnt he gloss coat make the model shiny and what do you use for the gloss coat.

Yep, But when you are done weathering ,spary a coat of dullcoat.. Takes care of the shine.. And Future floor wax is what I and a lot of others here use..

Dave

what is dullcoat can you buy it at the supermarket like furture or at the LHS

Hi,

I used "Dull Cote" from Testors. And I guess you can only get it from LHS.

Cheers!

http://www.testors.com/catalog_item.asp?itemNbr=1338
http://www.testors.com/catalog_item.asp?itemNbr=1382