The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Decals

I know this is a dumb question but exactly how do I apply decals after I paint my valve cover & oil filter canister? Do I apply some clear coat after they're on? Thanks

First off they are not decals, they're stickers. No need to coat them with anything.

dg

Decals, are water mounted. Not to question the sticker explanation above. Just general information for those who have not messed with Decals. Water lets them slide off the paper backing. Water lets you position them on the part you transferred them to. A note of caution, Acrylic Lacquer, can melt them. I an sure that modern solvents will as well. If you want to clear coat for protection, use a clear that can be fogged on and has a short drying time. 3 coats and it should be sealed. Then clear coat and it will come right through like magic. The fogging protects the Decal. Looks bad but the final clear coat will fill in and make it clear and smooth.

Thanks, I haven't actually attempted to use them yet and didn't realize that they're stickers. I remember applying decals from my model car days and they were separated in water. This should be much easier.

The "decals" that the poster is addressing Steve, I assume are
the ones that the vendors sell. They are not water slide decals,
they are vinyl stickers.

dg

If they are stickers try spraying the area with a solution of water with ONE drop of detergent in a spray bottle.
It allows you to position the sticker where you want and then use a squeegee (I use a credit card) to smooth it out and remove any air bubbles.
It also allows you to remove and reposition it if you need to - although I have never personally needed that function. Ya, right.

The tip from Peter H has merit. Stickers and position and air bubbles. Good tip. Yes stickers are not decals. But decals are often a new thing for some bigger applications. And not a lot of folks have used them.

The vendor calls them Decals....But we can still persecute the poster. The English language allows for Vinyl decal or vinyl sticker or Sticker, decal or label. All used interchangeably in the industry. Many companies call them vinyl decals, Classic Parts of America calls the oil filter label: "waterless decal".
Bottom line: He wants to know if/how to seal them. I agree they do not need any coating and should not be coated. The instructions do not say to do that.