The limits of paint over decal.

[odanban]

Hey folks, I'm investigating the limits of painting over decal and would love to hear experience on this.

I've been looking at this 3D Decal for a Yamaha and was considering an experiment into adhering the decal on the primer, masking it then building the layers over right up before i start applying clear.

Given that its 3D and potentially has a rubber like quality, is this going to harm the finish? would it hold up like it was in polymer casting resin?

btw I'm new, please don't throw tomatoes ;D

 

[jpmobius]

I don't understand what you are trying to do. The whole point of this type of graphic is to have it on top of the surface. If you want it under the clear, get a flat graphic. Masking around something like this and not having it look dreadful is extremely hard regardless. If you are mainly just wanting to clear over it, no doubt you can do so like over any other vinyl graphics, but they will likely look bad due to the clear filling in and rounding the edges.

 

[DohcBikes]

Hey folks, I'm investigating the limits of painting over decal and would love to hear experience on this.

I've been looking at this 3D Decal for a Yamaha and was considering an experiment into adhering the decal on the primer, masking it then building the layers over right up before i start applying clear.

Given that its 3D and potentially has a rubber like quality, is this going to harm the finish? would it hold up like it was in polymer casting resin?

btw I'm new, please don't throw tomatoes ;D

I understand what you are trying to accomplish, go for it. Just know that anything flexible is going to have a greater chance of the clearcoat cracking over time. Also dont forget, you'll have to scuff the decal regardless.

I also know what mobius is saying, which is that the decal you are working with is not intended for such an application. It is intended to be on top, and not clearcoated.

Enter at your own risk, but show your results here either way.

 

[DesmoDog]

I don't understand what you're trying to accomplish and if this is like other 3D graphics I've seen, the edges aren't square to the faces so I don't get how you could mask it off and build layers around it? The layers would be building up over the edges, that are masked…

In any case sounds like a pretty big chance for failure to someone who's new to painting. I'm no pro painter but I've done a few projects, and I'd never consider trying to clear over the 3D graphics my Monster has. I have considered tearing them off and replacing with flat stuff but that's a different thread entirely.

 

[UK Mark]

I get what your trying to do after looking at the decal, which is effectively 'raised letters'.

You would need to bury it in layers of clear coat and you could only do this using a 2k product. It would need to be done in at least four or five separate hits of 2 to 3 heavy coats each time to get the thickness you need, even with a High Solid clear.

So, you'd start by lacquering the whole tank and then blocking it back gently with 1500 grit wet paper over the decal after it had fully cured. Don't mask the decal as it would leave an edge which would be visible after you finally got there with clear. Then repeat and repeat until the finish is smooth and you can't see the contours of the decal.

I doubt you would get a paint guy to take it on as the chances of paint failure due to cracking is quite high, plus its labour intensive, so would take ages to do. Paint can be made flexible, using plasticers and we used to paint dense foam spoilers on Ford years ago, but that won't work on high film thickness.

Have a go, but I don't think you will achieve the result your after.

 

[odanban]

Really appreciate the comments guys (pos. and neg ) and the encouragement!
Ive got two tanks to play and experiment with so when the build is at its paint stage ill definately offer up results good or bad. I knew the idea might not be feasible but its always good to explore possibilities. Cheers

Sent from my SM-J100Y using Tapatalk

 

[o1marc]

If you are looking to have the painted surface flush with the decal by building up clear coats I would just forget the 3D decal and make one from the same color material from flat vinyl.
I would get a scrap piece of metal and do a trial test before attacking it on a tank.