Tried my second and third decal today

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navycop

navycop

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I didn't think this fit the catagory of "show off your pens". It wasn't finished, plus it didn't come out right. Here is a before shoot on the wooden pen. I don't have a before on the corian one. They came out kind of "orange peel". I'll get shot after battery charges. I applied 1 coat of thin and let dry a day. Then applied about 6 coats med. The decal was completly dried for 24-48 hrs. They are on white decalpaper from decalpaper.com.
 

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Here are the after pictures.
The wood looks decent. I don't know what happened to the corian one.
 

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I humbly suggest you apply only 2 coats of thin CA after it has dried. Too much CA solvent will attack the decal like a rabid hamster. That's a S.W.A.G.
WB
 
Mike; When I apply a decal, and after it dries overnight, I apply a coat of ModPodge or DecoPodge to seal the decal from the CA. I also do this with any paper item I am applying to something. Just a thought. Jim S
 
Mike, it looks like the decal may not have adhered to the Corian. I haven't tried a decal on Corian but on wood I usually put several coats of CA as a base and sand it real smooth. After that I apply the decal. Like Jim says, leave it set over night before applying the CA over the decal. I usually apply some BLO before the first coat of CA just to make the CA go on smoother. After that, CA up to 10 coats. Just remember, just because it works for me doesn't mean it will work for anyone else.
 
Plantman, how do you apply the ModPodge? I normally just put 5 or 6 coats of CA over it.

I do 4 coats of CA first then apply decal, wait 24hrs then apply 5 to 6 coats of CA.

I would like to try the ModPodge though.
 
I have had good success with the same method Dan mentions above. However, I am too impatient to wait overnight, so after sanding the CA smooth (MM to 12000) and applying the decal, I let it set for about an hour. After that I just add medium CA like normal until the decal is hard to 'feel' on the pen.
 
Fellow decalers; This would be my method of doing a decal on a wooden blank. Turn the blank a little undersize. Sand smooth to get rid of any tool marks. Wipe clean with a tac cloth. Apply 1 or 2 coats of thin CA to seal the wood. Sand smooth and wipe down. Apply the decal and let dry overnite. I will usualy leave my gooseneck lite I use for sanding on to help remove any moisture from the decal. I think letting the decal dry is the key factor here, because the CA has a chemical reaction that produces heat to cure, and if moisture is present under your decal it will bubble sooner or later. I apply the ModgePodge over the decal to protect it from this reaction. I think if you let the decal dry, you probably don't need this step. I mostly use this method if I am applying a paper embelishment, such as the Japanese Yetsen Papers, to a pen. The Modpodge also fills in the edges of the decal so you don't need so many coats of CA to make them disappear. Sand, clean, and apply your CA finish. Sometimes, on paper, the CA will seep under the edges and stain the paper. On brass or acrylic, you have nothing to absorb moisture, so just letting the decal dry good should be enough. Be careful where you get your decals. Some are only copyed on an ink jet printer and the ink will come off when rubbed to remove water of smooth the decal. ModPodge or DecoPodge can be applied with a brush. They both are self-leveling and dry clear. I haven't found any finish yet that will react to either one, once they are dry. Jim S
 
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+1 on Dan's method above.

Also, don't forget to apply the fixative that comes with the decal kits once you have printed out the decals. This is important, especially for ink-jet printed decals, otherwise the ink WILL likely run.

I also only use clear decal paper.
 
plantman said:
Neededwill said:
Plantman, do you put the ModPodge on after the decal is dried overnight or after you put it on?
Click to expand...

After it has dried overnight. You don't want to seal any moisture in. Jim S
Click to expand...

plantman said:
Apply the decal and let dry overnite. I will usualy leave my gooseneck lite I use for sanding on to help remove any moisture from the decal. I think letting the decal dry is the key factor here, because the CA has a chemical reaction that produces heat to cure, and if moisture is present under your decal it will bubble sooner or later. I apply the ModgePodge over the decal to protect it from this reaction. I think if you let the decal dry, you probably don't need this step. The Modpodge also fills in the edges of the decal so you don't need so many coats of CA to make them disappear. Sand, clean, and apply your CA finish. ModPodge or DecoPodge can be applied with a brush. They both are self-leveling and dry clear. I haven't found any finish yet that will react to either one, once they are dry. Jim S
Click to expand...
Still confused on the ModgePodge. You told neededwill after it dried overnight. In write up it says you applied after the decal was put on. I guess you are saying let the decal sit on the blank overnight??
 
tommy2tone said:
plantman said:
Neededwill said:
Plantman, do you put the ModPodge on after the decal is dried overnight or after you put it on?
Click to expand...

After it has dried overnight. You don't want to seal any moisture in. Jim S
Click to expand...

plantman said:
Apply the decal and let dry overnite. I will usualy leave my gooseneck lite I use for sanding on to help remove any moisture from the decal. I think letting the decal dry is the key factor here, because the CA has a chemical reaction that produces heat to cure, and if moisture is present under your decal it will bubble sooner or later. I apply the ModgePodge over the decal to protect it from this reaction. I think if you let the decal dry, you probably don't need this step. The Modpodge also fills in the edges of the decal so you don't need so many coats of CA to make them disappear. Sand, clean, and apply your CA finish. ModPodge or DecoPodge can be applied with a brush. They both are self-leveling and dry clear. I haven't found any finish yet that will react to either one, once they are dry. Jim S
Click to expand...
Still confused on the ModgePodge. You told neededwill after it dried overnight. In write up it says you applied after the decal was put on. I guess you are saying let the decal sit on the blank overnight??
Click to expand...

Yes, Let it dry overnight. Jim S
 
What are the most popular wood or plastic blanks to use for decals and their color. I started with light maple I ordered some white plastic blanks to try. Any other ideas would be helpful. Is there any other threads or stored education articles on this subject somewhere on how to make decals work on this site? bob
 
I want to test using a decal with modpodge over it after drying. Then sand a little to smooth, then use a friction finish like shellawax instead of a CA finish. Any thoughts or would the heat tear up the modpodge and decal?
 
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