Undecorated Locomotives decaling question

[Allegehney2666]

I have a pair of undecorated Spectrum Heavy Mountain steam locomotives that I want to apply decals to and add weathering etc. I recently applied a set of Decals and did not like the way they turned to as they left a very glossy finish. I posted a question about this on another board and was told that undecorated locomotives are not painted that they come colored but need to be painted first then apply decals etc. Is this true with Spectrum locomotives? I don't believe it's the case at all but want to get it form a reliable source.
Also do you have any recommendations regarding decals and applying them etc.

Thanks much

[Guilford Guy]

You'll need a glossy surface. When I decaled my 2-10-2 I brushed on Micro-Gloss and then added all the decals. I only gloss painted the cab and tender, and hit the entire loco with dullcote when done, which pretty much blended it all together. Do you have any microsol? I've found after many coats of microscale the gloss of the decal begins to fade.

[NarrowMinded]

I Re-letter using dry transfer letters mostly but also use decals on occasion with both I lightly apply Testors dullkote that seals them and eliminates the gloss. I know there are other "dull coats" but Testors works good for me.

NM

[jward]

i have a friend who custom paints professionally, and have done extensive decalling myself.....

we recommend you paint the surface you are going to decal. decals do not like to stick to bare plastic. you are better off going with a glossy or semiglossy paint, applying your decals to it, then using dullcote or a similar product to dull the shine and seal the decal. be sure you have gotten all the air bubbles out from under the decal before you use the dullcote, because it will be impossible to remove them after.

[rogertra]

A;; Bachmann undecs are, as far as I know, painted.  They are not bare plastic.  The Bachmann adds all read, "Painted and undecorated".

To apply decals (water slide), simply follow to the letter the decal manufacturer's instructions.

I have used the following method to decal every single piece of equipment that carries the name "Great Eastern" as well as freight cars with numerous other road names.

1) Apply decals to only gloss surfaces.  I lightly spray the model with Glosskote.

2) Apply decal, use the edge of a tissue to wick up the excess water.

3) Apply a good quality decal setting solution.

4) Leave the decal alone

5) You will probably need a second coat of decal setting solution and apply this after pricking any air bubbles or "silvering" to permit the solution to get under the decal.


6) Let the decal dry completely.  Don't be tempted to fiddle with it.

7) If no more decal setting solution is required, carefully clean the decal of excess glue with a damp cotten bud.

9)  Spray finished decal with your favourite matte agent, I use Dullkote.

[barrowsr]

I've had good luck using Future floor finish as the base gloss coat.  Best is airbrushed but can also be brushed on by hand. Steps above are great for decal application.

[Atlantic Central]

Allegenhney,

Follow Roger's advice and you will be fine.

Bachmann unlettered locos are painted and will decal nicely. I have done dozens including a number of heavy Mountains.

The trick/solution is the clear flat finish at the end. All decal jobs need this to look good and blend in.

Sheldon

[Allegehney2666]

Thanks Sheldon I came to that conclusion when I removed the old decals and cleaned the surface with alcohol on a Q-Tip and it turned black. Wouldn't do that if it was just black plastic now would it. I am getting a lot of advice on putting down a gloss coat fist for the decals to adhere to but they seemed to adhere to the painted finish just fine it was the lousy spray on dullcote that ruined the job.
So now I am debating in my fmind weather to paint it a gloos black or a weather black and then apply decals and then dullcote it. I know that too much paint is not a good thing either.

[Atlantic Central]

I find that the Bachmann locos decal just fine, without a prep paint job.

I will not use "spray bomb" paints to paint my models and that includes Dulcote.

I use Scalecoat paints. Their clear comes both gloss and flat and can be mixed to get different levels of shine.

I spray all my finished decal work with an airbrush. some loocs get a semigloss finish to look fairly new, other get the dead flat treatment.

I weather very lightly in most all cases, not a big fan of the run down look.

Hope this helps. I saw you post on the other forum but just never got to it.

Sheldon

[Allegehney2666]

Thanks Sheldon I used to prefer Scalecoat myself but it seems to be getting harder and harder to find around here. I think I may just possibly take some 1000 or 2000 grit ultra fine wet/dry paper to the tender shell just to remove the few scratches I put in it when using the exacto blade to remove the decals and do exactly what you mentioned.
I'm not a big fan of the George Sellios dirtier then dirt worn out depression look myself. I save that for the dead loco's I have in the back shop area or scrap track section of my engine serving facility.
Tanks again for the reply's and Listen Shhhhhhhhhhhhh no sound.....lol

[NarrowMinded]

I get the best results from dullkote when I dust the item lightly with it, let it dry about 15 minutes and dust it again, I gummed up my first weathering job trying to put a complete even coat on all at once.


NM