How to Apply Decals to a Model
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- I get great results using this method; hopefully you will too!
Good results can still be obtained without decal solution, but I'd recommend getting some.
Watered-down PVA glue may need TWO coats to get a smooth enough finish, and remember you can also use another coat of it to seal the decals afterwards.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter: @quick_kits
#scalemodelling #howto #decals #scalemodel #modelpainting
7 years later and is still one of the best tutorials out there.
Ahhh so that's how you do it, damn I'm stupid I've been trying to peel off the decals like stickers 🤦🏼♂️
i wasted like 10 decals of my first model that way......
I'm here because I just tried that
That’s what I thought at first I would of done that on my first one if my dad did not make models when he was a kid
Oof...thank god i watched Jobbythehong first before making the model kits
OBOII same
I watch instruction videos all the time and yours are very well made: to the point, well explained, good video and audio. Well done and thanks. I hope you can make some money out of it because you deserve it.
Look man I got a decal and water I ain’t got all that fancy stuff
@JuustoLeipä valitettavasti suomess ei myydä ainakaan mitä mä oon nähnyt
GrandTheftGaming did it work or not, I’m a new modeler and I don’t feel like going out and buying all this stuff
TurboMacoroni all this trick does is it helps the decal stick to the surface in a realistic manner , so that it looks like paint , you don’t need all that fancy stuff if you’re a new modeller , and don’t let this complicated stuff get to you , when you build your models just be sure to have fun .
In short , just use water and that’s it.
That's all I ever needed, decals and hot water. In rare cases when they don't stick, I apply some watered down Elmer's or wood glue (PVA). I've used decals over 50 years old with these methods just fine.
Yeah me too it Just worked fine
I love the fact that you don't do the usual gibber gabber and get straight to the point.
I mean, I am a scale modeler, I have a certain problem and I searched RUclips for a solution.
So there is absolutely no point in telling the viewer
- that every modeler knows the problem
- what the problem is and what might happen or not in the problematic situation
- it was a good idea to look for a solution on YT
- that after this introduction you will start giving tips on how to deal with the problem
and so on.
Short, consise, to the point. I doubt I would've been able to find the courage to decal without this tutorial, simply amazing
Thanks man, I have been trying to peel them off this whole time, I really needed this so thank you!
decal was said 19 times during that video, in 87 seconds
There's a lot of decals.
exactly!
So he says decal all 4.6 seconds
It wasn't said once. He said deekul a lot though.
dude speaks at a modest rate of about 13.1 decals per minute
You are so awesome I already knew how to apply them but from the thinned down gloss varnish I didnt know thank you owen you are the best!!!
+Mr.snipeskater Glad you learnt something new! :)
I watch this repeatedly because it is satisfying
Applying my first decal today, I finally have all the fancy supplies required to do this!!!
Very good Owen . I would just warn newcomers that softening solution the microsol can easily destroy decals and should be watered down and avoided where not needed I have taken to using a wet brush , ( water ) The setting solution is often good enough on flat surfaces with good decals .
Anthony Brown
Well it is a solvent
Your videos are helping make my models much better thanks.
Brilliant! I'm finishing off an Ace Combat themed Warhammer model of the Crimson Hunter and this has taught me what to buy,and how to secure the decal in place! :D
Great video my friend. Succinct and to the point. About add the decals to my toon Tiger 1 it's my first Model ever. I've had a Gorgeous $50.00 B-17 sitting in my closet because I realized that I'd grabbed a fairly complicated model to start with and wanted to get into the model game with something less formidable.
I love videos like these. Extremely useful and to the point!
Great video, quick and to the point. All we need to know. Outstanding, gave you a sub.
thanks!
thanks it very helpful bicaus in first time when i had an model i don,t now how to stick the decals and i have mad at it than i just cup off and glue it on model
I love how you don't take a lot to explain this 👀
my technique is to dip it in water for 30 seconds, use my finger to pick it up of the sheet, try to shake it of onto the model, use my brush to move it into position with tons of water, wait 2 minutes, dump a load of pva glue on it, and spray the model in matting varnish. please don't hate me....
New to models. Now I'm glad that before I went to a tutorial I tried removing decals that weren't gonna be used in the variant I was gonna make. I tried prying it up with my x-acto knife and completely fubared the decal. 🤣🤣
I wish I'd known this when I was a kid. Eventually, I just gave up on applying decals to my models.
I just bought a model plane today but didn't even realize that it was a build it yourself one because the box is pretty much all in Japanese so I thought I was getting an already put together model. 😅 Now I'm watching all these videos and really wishing I knew better beforehand! Looks like this model is just going to have to be painted! I certainly don't have all of the tools necessary for model building!
I used to decal lego figures a LOT and we used a makeup sponge and it got rid of the air bubbles immediately and it confirmed to the surface within at least two sponges
+Quick Kits, can you be a bit more specific on the watered-down PVA glue? Ratio? Desired consistency? Thanks!
i know u didnt ask me but i usually water mine down to a consistency that i can spray it through a spray bottle. about like milk i think.
rabbles to the consistency of milk , basically as liquid as you can get it .
I woupd try 50/50. If its to thin yiu can always apply another layer to makr it stick better or have a better shine. I use gloss varnish because i use acrylic paint and 50/50 tends to be okay for one coat then apply decal solution then then decal then when all set do another layer of the 50 50 to protect. Somtimes ill do two layers but a thinner solutiom keeps brush strokes away and nice and smooth surface
You are a life saver thanks mate👍🏻
Great video, thanks for all the good tips!
Very helpful video! But I have a question, does Tamiya Clear turn out to make the model glossy? Or does it make the model have a sort of matte finish?
Excellent, to the point video!
Thanks man!
Nice video
What kind of paint do yiu use and what do you seal with before applying the decal. Also would like some tips on what decal solution tk buy and what to spray over the model to seal it with and protect it. Any help is wonderful
I usually use just water to glue them to model but i might start using some decal protector. It looks like mr. Cement S but its more meant to protect decals from damage . Idk why I didn't use it
Thank you!👍
Insanely helpful
I'm hand painting, using enamel paints. what kind of clear coat should i use? Acrylic or enamel? I also want to try panel ling and am confused on how that affects which finish i use. thanks for the great videos
I assume if they have a varnish or finish specificly for enamel paints use that if u are painting it with enamel paints. The two dont tend too mix supper well. I assume the acrylic wouldnt be very effeciant and the enamel ones will loosen it up enough to stick to the hard enamel surffice but if u are willing to risk a model or repainting u can always experiment😮
yeeeaaa! new film
Cheers, gotta soak the Decal first... not sure what these Deeculs are you speak of though...
Great tutorial! Although, I have had paint bubble in the past; for no apparent reasons. I have a rare model and don't want anything to go wrong with it.
Is there a simpler way with just water, or a less aggressive product?
This video helps but do you have any other tips for doing long and thin decals on commercial jets?
What ratio of pva glue to water should I use (and same question for gloss varnish and thinners)
Awesome vid! How about applying decals on curved or raised detailed surfaces?
That's what the decal solution is for- it'll help it conform to the surface.
Is Decal solution and decal adhesive the same thing?
now this is what i done on a tamiya 61114 (gloss varnish + micro set + micro sol)
the decals from vertical direction especially went dry fast and i had very very short time to adjust which result was decals almost wrong positioned, observable when you turn the aircraft repeatedly from a side to the other side
and this goes very bad if i use tamiya mark fit strong
Would White Spirit work as decal solution?
How come my decals have a see through film around it?
i've just bought my first kit this Christmas (an airfix dogfight doubles A6M2 and P40) but i'm still recovering info on how to build It properly. The kit includes two brushes, Poly cement and paints, so I think they are made to not need anything more (except tools like tweezers or scalpel), in the box doesn't mention any solution so, how bad could It be to apply the decals just with water and the glossy coat? (Pd: your videos are great and they are helping me a lot ;) )
Well if you're applying the decals to a oddly shaped surface (eg. around the edge of a wing or onto the nose of a BF110) you'll probably find the decal will not stick flat. Decal solution softens them so they can be manipulated more easily. Same goes for a very detailed surface eg. with panel lines and rivets. If you're just beginning then you don't really need decal solution. Check out the video I made for Airfix for some more info ruclips.net/video/u2gJscUB5xQ/видео.html
Quick Kits thanks for the answer! i'll watch it :)
So if I use pva glue I water it down, paint it on the spot, the do I let dry or do I just put the decal on? Also can I use pva glue as a clear coat or do I need a flat coat
Hi Owen, thanks a lot for the video! I’m just wondering what is the “ clear coat “ you mention at the end of the video, is that a paint? I’m sure that you always don’t paint over a decal! Could you explain (and teach lol) me? :)
Sorry for my english, i’m not a native speaker!
Is it true that Micro Sol and Micro Set have been discontinued by MicroScale? They aren't even listed as products on the MicroScale website, and are out of stock on Squadron and even Amazon (I went there to try to order them, but as I was processing my order they both went out of stock). MicroScale doesn't offer any alternate products to replace them, either - so I guess home-brew solutions are going to be the way to go, at least for the foreseeable future. Thanks for the video - it couldn't be more timely!
Kit manufacturers seem to have begun producing their own decal solutions, I know humbrol have, I'll have to look into this though! I really like micro sol and set :/
Any tips on how to do those really fiddly decals like do not walk lines and panel lines that go on the wings?
Make sure the whole decal is sliding on the paper (be very gentle) and place the paper exactly where you want the lines. Carefully slide the paper out from underneath and nudge the line into place. Basically just take a lot of care and patience, don't rush
Quick Kits Is it bad if i use wattered down pva glue to help tobstick the decals on
Anyone got any other decal-related tips to share?
+Quick Kits I don't really have any access to any decal solution. :(
How I apply my decals:
Apply water to surface of model.
Hold decal in water for 10 seconds.
Place on paper towel.
Use a brush to move the decal into place.
The rip off a small bit of tissue off, and gently dab it onto the edge of the surrounding water. (Gets rid of water)
Then apply a coat of matt varnish over the decal.
Do you have any tips on how I could improve my decal application?
+Quick Kits I use blotting paper to press down the decal and remove the water. Works very well.
+Quick Kits i use Q-tips. once the decal is in place, instead of using a paper towel as a blotter, i'll take a Q-tip and roll it across the decal while pressing down at the same time. but you have to take care not to drag the Q-tip across because it could move : ( or even tear :( the decal. this method works like a charm for me.
however there is no wrong method. whatever works best for you is all that matters. ; )
+Jake “The Model Maniac” Black As I do in the video, either use gloss varnish or watered-down PVA glue to create a smooth area where you will apply the decals, this will stop them silvering. Hope that helps :)
+Zammpie Thanks for that tip :)
Apply a glossy clear coat b4 applying decal, and a matt gloss after?
Matte or another gloss depending if you want it to be shiny or not. Im doing a metal space ship and doing a layer of gloss on the decal but most people want their ww2 airplanes to look rugged and not prestine like off the factory line so they finish woth a matte varnish to give it a weathered look. Its up to u but gloss is for shine and matte is for weathered.
I just wasted my first 3 decals by touching them too hard after softening them (they were the tiniest things ever). Good thing they weren't actually going to be all that visible, only a small cockpit interior detail. Also didn't realize you have only one chance to get them placed properly if you don't have that fancy solution.
what happens if you dont put a gloss varnish?
i have mirco sol and mirco set but will it destroy the decal if I dont put a gloss varnish?
No you can use decal solution without varnish although the decals may 'silver' (unless you are using Humbrols new formula of Decalfix). An alternative to gloss vanish is polishing the surface with high grade micromesh cloth. Basically you want to create a smooth surface under the decal to prevent microscopic airbubbles from being trapped, which is what cause the silvering effect
instead of decal solution, can i use thinner?
It looks like we have to wait 2-3 days for varnish to get dry enough or decal catch adhesiveness too fast. I put Tamiya mark fit strong before decal and i was a very short time able to move decal on surface.
Can I ask if I don't have any of the Decal Solution, Can I use water instead of the Decal Solution?
How do you say it decal or decal
Let me guess you said it differently for both
I like how you say decals
It’s kind of a mix of the 2 main ways people say it
Could i use humbrol Matt Cote for sealing the decal?
what are your (or viewers) thoughts on vallejo did you guys ever tried vallejo's decal fix and decal medium
Nazi was actually tight
[Back2Back Plays Background]
I'm building one that my grandpa got in the 90s and i swear the decals have lost their adhesive lol
Same problem here man, currently building my dad's Tiger II he got in the 90s as well. Not just the decals, the whole thing's as rusty as the real one
if I put a decal on clear plastic would you be able to see all the solutions? im trying to see whats the best way to apply any type of decal or vinyl sticker to a clear plastic surface since im new to this but have and idea in my head
If you're applying a decal to clear plastic because the surface will be smooth on a microscopic level you won't need to apply varnish and decal solution may actually not be necessary. Perhaps test it first if you can. If there is an issue, try decal solution. Any residue should be able to be gently removed once the decal has fully dried with a damp cloth
Quick Kits thanks so much you’re a lifesaver! I have these clear plastic hard clutches that I wanted to put a decal on and was so stumped on how I should put it on there so it doesn’t come off. Thanks so much!
Thanks 👍
my friend recommended me a new technique: to paint Mr. Hobby thinner on the decal. Since It's way too strong ( literally used as paint remover), it will completely dissolve the decal. Do you think this is an effective technique? thanks
I have bin making models for sum time now but I have never used a decal solution before.
Would you recommend I us microset/sol or humbrol decal fix?
I have that humbrol decal fix reacts with humbrol clear coat is this true?
How would you apply decals on angles? Is there anything I can use to hold the model at angles without accdently shaking the model?
Excelente 👍 felicidades por
So my starter kit is useless then and doesn't come with everything I need dam this hobby is tedious I wanted a simple model to get back into the hobby
Model kits never come with everything otherwise they cost way more for each. Paint, decal solution, varnish, brushes, xacto knifen, sand piper and a list of other thing ate seperate that can be used for multiple models after and dont just last for one model. Amazon and hobby shops have large and small portions so u usually can buy the amount u want foe the time being but a decent amount of stuff will last u a good while. My paints have lasted me two years over several models if you keep them well and they are very small bottles. Just get what u need and not lots of extra
Do you have to wait for the micro set to fully dry before applying a coat of micro sol or do you apply it once the decal is on the model? Great channel btw love your content
You want to you want the decal solution most so it helps slip the decal into postion while on the model. Once in postion remove the air bubbles and sponge if necesarry if to much solution.
Spent ages trying to peel the stickers off, before giving in and looking for a tutorial 😅
Is there a difference in finish between acrylic and enamel varnishes and can they both be thinned like paints IE acrylic with water and enamel with white spirit ?
Yes, and bear in mind what weathering you're doing over them - oil wash over acrylic varnish is safe, oil wash over enamel varnish is risky bc they're both solvent based
thanks
If you use the thinned PVA glue do you let it dry like you would a gloss coat or use it in lieu of MicroSol? What ratio do you thin it?
Let it dry. Ratio is roughly 1:1 I'd say - but I've never measured that. I just do it by eye
i just sealed the decals with a gloss coat and i realize that my decals was in the wrong place how can i remove the decals?
That's unfortunate, I don't think you'll be able to change that now, sorry :/
i painted it again to conceal and it worked anyway!!! :)
Micro sol or microl set? I dont have problems with making my decals stick, but i have a problem with wrinkles? Sometimes my decals dont stick because i just use water, and sometimes it sticks
You can just use micro set. Micro sol is for if you need the decals to soften further. There are other decal solutions available (such as Humbrol - though I don't like it as much) just give 'decal solution' a google. Decal solution would help with wrinkling
Do you really need the decal thinner or no? Im kinda on a budget and not interested in purchasing more stuff for my flames of war on top of the $80 I just spent for some packs and two tigers (paints and decals included)
Do you need to put gloss over the top of the decal or will it be okay without?
Once the decal is set you use gloss ir matte varnish again ti protect the decal from scratches and comeing off after years of drying. But you dont technically have too. Its just for a layer of protection especially if u plan to do more paint work after applying them like oil and dirt over the top which could damage them by accident during the painting
Whats the difference between the blue and red?
Do I need micro sol and micro set? I am just starting out and I don't want to spend tons of money on my first models.
No, but I'd recommend you get some PVA glue
Which thinner should I use to thin down Humbrol Gloss cote?
Looking at the website, it says to clean brushes after using it with enamel thinners, so assuming it must be enamel based thin it with enamel thinners :)
Quick Kits Thanks, mate! Looks like I'm going to have to go on a shopping trip today...
What ratio do you prefer (PVA/water) I may have already asked this another video, but I can't remember/can't find it if I did. Thanks!
He said 50:50 in another question but he said he also eyrbalss it. U can use a eye dropper too thats helpfull
Oh yeah just wait until the decal starts sliding. Great. What do you do when it's in water for 20 minutes and it never slides?
2/3 of PVA glue and 1/3 of water? is that how should it be?
I think about 50:50 though I've not measured that exactly, sorry. I usually do it by eye
How to apply the decals if they are old and became fragile any tip? please advise.
Abu Tayiba RC Videos
You may not want to hear this, but old fragile decals are almost unusable and the sheet should be thrown away. If you can, purchase some aftermarket decals for the kit you're building
Chin Chin The Dark Lord Thanks:)
When you say PVA glue, do you mean waterresistant wood glue or something else?
the white one that school kids use, known in the US as Elmer's School Glue
I remember when doing some model kits at younger age i have no idea how you wuold aply these decals so my models were all decaless
What is silvering?
I have a kit from the 80s and I’m worried if any of this has changed since then
The decals might be too fragile to apply
what does decor solution even do?
clearcoat after drying for a day😊
Do you have any advice for sticking decals to curved or uneven surfaces?
I know you stick to military builds, but, I was building a motorcycle replica a few months back and totally botched the decals on the main fairing. It felt like whoever made the decals didn't know the dimensions of the fairing, but it was a Tamiya model so I chalked it up to my own mistake. Even on the front fairing, which is much more flat, it wouldn't bond evenly, leaving it cracked and air bubbling shortly after drying.Totally ruined an otherwise (near) flawless build..... :(
Decal solution would definitely help with that. Sorry to hear about your bad experience :(
Quick Kits hmm i tried solution, and even took my time, however the more time i took, the more the solution hardened, making the decals less pliable and more fragile. Not my first time putting decals on, but never before on such a contoured surface. Anyways, thanks for the reply- if you can think of anything else please let me know, otherwise keep up the great vids.
I put the decal to my instrument panel and now I won't stick' every time I touch it just falls off, and it has become a layer of paper, so I have a dried decal, please help!
You could stick the decal on with PVA glue?
When i try moving the decal with the paintbrush it can do on of 3 things
A:not move at all
B:stick to the paintbrush
C:rip into several pieces
my kit comes with a decal for the cockcpit, do i need to spray a gloss coat?
Tommy Lakasi
With a decal that small, you won't need gloss varnish. But decal solution will be needed to help it conform to the plastic. Once it's dry, you'll have to seal it like any other decal.
Is pva glue bacsically school liquid Elmer's glue?
Yes
How to decal long thin decals used on scale 1/144 airliner aircraft without curling"
Can I just use school glue instead of PVA glue?
I'm not sure which glue you mean by School Glue?
@@quickkits the the elmer glue you usually get with school supplies. The liquid type of glue
Can this be done with just water?
It can but the decals won't conform to the surface as nicely and may clear areas may turn silver. You might not need gloss varnish but decal solution is pretty important for good results
I soaked it until the decal floated off. Has anyone experienced this and found it to be detrimental?