Decal Disappointed

[Pjohnson]

Need some guidance, or to be talked off the ledge.

I have a white acrylic blank and a water slide decal.
The decal applied with no issue and I allowed it to dry overnight. This morning I applied 15-18 coats of CA, then the full course of micro-mesh and hut polish.

The decal lays flat and the edges are very smooth to the touch. This process worked well and I am pleased. It was my third attempt and I finally had application success.

My issue is final appearance. I can see the outline of the edges of the decal through the finish.

Is this normal?
Should I have put a coat of CA on the acrylic before I applied the decal?

My expectations may be too high - I was hoping for full transparency of the label. I have thought of a workaround by having a border in the label. This would not be my choice. Any help would be appreciated!!!

Sorry for the poor pic, but you will get the point.

 

[Dalecamino]

On acrylics, you don't need ca under the decal. Wood, you do. Did you use thin ca? I use medium. No issues.(8 coats)

 

[keithbyrd]

I have had the same problem - I have done a few orders but have never gotten the edges to disappear. Hopefuly will hear an answer.

 

[Dalecamino]

I had another thought on this. After you print your decals and, when you spray them with laquer. Don't spray them too heavily. They just need enough to seal the ink. This could be causing the build up around the edges.

 

[Pjohnson]

I have had the same problem - I have done a few orders but have never gotten the edges to disappear. Hopefuly will hear an answer.

Not sure if it is thin or medium - Yellow bottle from satellite city

 

[AKBeaver]

I have used Microset and Microsol in the past and had great results. Here is a good write up on using these setting solutions: Decals

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

 

[woodwzrd]

I did a couple of duck calls with decals for Christmas this year and what I noticed was that the sheen of the decal was not the same as the CA finish. I sprayed the decal with Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic just like the decal package recommended. Once finished the decal had a very slight matte finish while the calls had a high gloss. My customer could not tell the difference (even though I could) and asked repeatedly how I got the decal to just disappear the way I did.

Could you possibly be experiencing the same scenario?

 

[wouldentu2?]

Apply some coats of CA and polish it to 12000 MM and then put the decal on, the edge disappears.

 

[Pjohnson]

Apply some coats of CA and polish it to 12000 MM and then put the decal on, the edge disappears.

Then CA again over the decal?

 

[Pjohnson]

woodwzrd - My experience is the same as your's