Making my own waterslide decals

[CFMgarage]

Hey friends,

I have a question regarding making my own waterslide decals. I purchased Testor's Decal Papers and a can of clear polyurethane (following the instructions on model-railroad-hobbyist.com) ...

Has anyone created their own waterslides and used polyurethane spray as a decal bonder?

Please let me know what your experience was like...I won some ebay bids on some glue bombs that I'll take apart, but I don't wanna wait forever to buy a new decal kit for them, plus this way I can make my own logos and whatnot.

Thanks in advance.

[Len Woodruff]

I have used Krylon Crystal Clear over my homemade decals with success. I have also used Microscale Decal Bonded and the Testors that have come in the decal kit. I like the spray can best because the decals tend to run when you brush anything on them.

[CFMgarage]

I have used Krylon Crystal Clear over my homemade decals with success. I have also used Microscale Decal Bonded and the Testors that have come in the decal kit. I like the spray can best because the decals tend to run when you brush anything on them.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the input!

[Ace-Garageguy]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the input!

Bernard Kron has made some nice DIY decals too, with his own-design logos, etc. Maybe he'll chime in here.

[Bernard Kron]

Yeah. I used to use the Microcale stuff, applying it with a broad, soft brush. It worked fine. Recently I switched to a craft store clear acrylic in a spray can. Far more even in its coating properties, allowing for a somewhat thinner decal thickness. I suspect your aerosol urethane should work every bit as well. One trick to use in order to conserve decal paper, which can be expensive, is to put a cut line above and below the area that will be printed.Cut your strip of decal and only then spray your sealer coat. This will allow you to gradually use up your sheet of decal paper in a systematic way. In this case I had about 5 inches of vertical height left on my decal stock. After cutting the strip I need I'll still have about 4 inches of paper left to use.

 

[CFMgarage]

Yeah. I used to use the Microcale stuff, applying it with a broad, soft brush. It worked fine. Recently I switched to a craft store clear acrylic in a spray can. Far more even in its coating properties, allowing for a somewhat thinner decal thickness. I suspect your aerosol urethane should work every bit as well. One trick to use in order to conserve decal paper, which can be expensive, is to put a cut line above and below the area that will be printed.Cut your strip of decal and only then spray your sealer coat. This will allow you to gradually use up your sheet of decal paper in a systematic way. In this case I had about 5 inches of vertical height left on my decal stock. After cutting the strip I need I'll still have about 4 inches of paper left to use.

 

Thanks so much Bernard! Great info

[Miatatom]

Recently I switched to a craft store clear acrylic in a spray can.

Bernard, what brand and store?

[Bernard Kron]

Bernard, what brand and store?

Tree House Studio Clear Acrylic High Gloss Coating @‌ Hobby Lobby

Edited February 3, 2016 by Bernard Kron