Gunpla Tutorial : How to Apply Dry Transfer Decals

While not as good looking as Water Slide Decals, there are still quite a number of good reasons to use Dry Transfer Decals. You might not have the equivalent in Water Slide form is a good example.
Applying a Dry Transfer Decal is very easy. Remember back in school when they had those letters that could be rubbed on to things? Oh, it was just me then!
Well anyway, it's exactly the same thing and I'll demonstrate an easy way to add Dry Transfers to your model kit.
More at : www.ghostofzeon.com/diy/drytra...

[@jimnelson6680]

When applying the decal, I usually use a dull pencil as a burnishing tool. The point will get into every nook, and it leaves behind a trace of graphite so you can tell where you rubbed and where you've missed.

[@SprocketActual]

great video. I picked up an MG F91 and it will be my first time with the dry decals, with your tutorial i feel confident in applying them and making them look good!

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Thanks for your suggestion. I will try and do one next time I am applying decals to a curved surface.

[@Kammmm]

sweet tutorial bro! sorry i only just caught it ! had a massive back log in my youtube subscriptions. Its great to see how other people work and your tutorials are always very informative and helpful. Thanks a lot!

[@bumbledouche3323]

As a fellow Australian, I find your pronunciation of 'decal' disturbing.

[@hitoshiwar]

DE CAL

[@sserpent21]

I finally got a dry app decal to work! Thank you!

[@Zeriix]

awesome tutorial, really helpful

[@khakii-9733]

Building a MG Geara Doga and it's honestly the first time I've seen dry transfer decals! I was like, "Uh. Are these water slides?", but nope! Good thing I looked it up beforehand. Thanks!

[@kevinabat6426]

straight to the point! very helpful! thanks man

[@chriscornwell5643]

A very helpful video. Thank you very much.

[@sgtspliffs]

Haha, this is actually the Gundam I'm working on right now. Pretty great coincidence it's what you're using for this tutorial. Thanks for the vid!

[@TheGhostofZeon]

@TheCrimsonNova Thanks! I'm glad you have found this useful! :D

[@hea22984]

thanks bro, didn't know how to use it on my hguc005 hyaku shiki

[@TheGhostofZeon]

@rehome01 No, that is only for Water Slide decals. Dry transfers can be top coated with a clear to help protect them.

[@sskullnox]

Thanks man really helped out

[@flexunrekable1600]

Great video, thanks! Helped heaps :)

[@TheGhostofZeon]

@rockzone16 Yes, lots of things can be used to rub the transfers on not just a coin. Sometimes I use the end of tweezers as well.

[@ShartimusPrime]

Thank you, huge help!

[@ghostdein1]

shin musha decals on a zaku shield... interesting indeed! thanks for the tutorial!

[@MrNinetailfox1]

Thank you very much on this video, I needed to know if I wanted to be able to create my sinanju ! Thumbs up ! :-D

[@gothicxangel76]

Thank you so much, you saved the detailing on my second MG kit, I thought they were water decals and almost wasted the sheet 😅

[@buki316ify]

This helps a lot thanx

[@TheGhostofZeon]

@ghostdein1 It is! Well, it was only for the demonstration after all.....

[@bladenine]

Thanks man for this video. I've tried a couple of master grades with the decals and they didn't turn out so good. The tip with the coin and tape really makes a difference and my latest MG Destiny Gundam looks awesome.

[@TheGhostofZeon]

No problems! Glad I could help! :)

[@TheGhostofZeon]

@bvolcano723 Avoid anything that isn't a low tack tape as it can lift the paint underneath if not careful. If you are applying to a bare plastic surface then should be OK but some of the glue from the tape can be left behind.

[@xacony]

thanks man!

[@TheGhostofZeon]

@deadleg6 If it is bare plastic, then try something like Isopropyl and some paper towel. If it is painted, then you will need to repaint the piece.

[@shadowxps]

Thanks you so much.

[@TheGhostofZeon]

@bvolcano723 If applied correctly, they are quite strong but they can be scratched off easily if care isn't taken.

[@jupitris7372]

Does it help to apply a gloss coat before applying dry transfers?

[@Kiennguyen-gn4rz]

Searching for this one to apply it on my new MG astray red frame kai

[@TheGhostofZeon]

What sort of surface are you using on your model? Gloss always works best. I've never had an issue like rubbing too hard tears the decal - most of the time tearing happens if the sheet is lifted before the whole decal is applied causing part to stick to the model and the remainder is left on the sheet.

[@TheGhostofZeon]

@muffdriver69 You should have got some if it was a Master Grade Shin Musha. All Master Grades come with dry transfers and stickers.

[@muffdriver69]

@TheGhostofZeon Not my one, all I got was the sticker one, it's the one with a green paper background with the decals stuck to it, unless I don't know how to use it. :(

[@hfong19]

where can i purchase extra dry rub decals?

[@skyress04]

Thanks.

[@goochipoochie]

Watching this in 2019 to apply decal on a tomica !

[@markcrosthwait409]

Whats the music playing?

[@fredxu99]

lol i thought these were just regular stickers. thx for the video so i dont mistake these as stickers in the future!!! sadly i did that mistake on my exia, which is my favorite gundam model :( but i suppose ill just have to get the avalanche set.

[@Yalamastyle]

Is there any different tool replacing that tape?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

@muffdriver69 They are stickers for sure. That's a shame that you didn't get any dry transfers. Maybe you can contact where you got it from and let them know or email Bandai direct.

[@adithbowo]

what song on opening?

[@lesterkuro2285]

how do i apply dry transfer decals on separate pieces? like MG red frame kai's left shoulder armor?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

+Lester Kuro The exact same way.

[@daethalion1725]

I ended up learning most of this the hard way, after destroying several of the decals in my MG kit. Question, how well does this double tape method work on pieces with limited access and/or surface area?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

It can be tricky if you haven't got much space spare, but as long as you can get enough tape to grip the plastic around it, it will be fine

[@muffdriver69]

My Shin Musha did not come with dry decals :(!!!

[@septianakun619]

Adding mark setter from Mr hobby or Tamiya will help?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

No because those are designed for water slide decals.

[@TheGhostofZeon]

I'm not sure if you can buy official dry decals seperate from the kits. There isn't as strong of a demand for them like there is water slides.

[@drakozero8]

a clear what paint?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Clear gloss

[@BgirlSakura]

when you rub the dry decals on, is it possible for the underlying paint to get ruined?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

BgirlSakura If you are too rough when applying the decal, then there is a possibility of damage. Just try and be cautious when applying them.

[@1buszybudy13]

Cool

[@deadleg6]

What's an easy way to remove them without scratching the bare plastic.

[@greggyboi1821]

is it ok to apply top coat after decals?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Yes, it is perfectly fine to apply a clear coat on top of these decals.

[@GingTheGing]

cool

[@muffdriver69]

@TheGhostofZeon hey man. Nevermind. I found them! It flew under the couch. What's the chance of that? If the chance for that is high, I'd win the lottery tomorrow. Thanks!

[@PrimusProductions]

Where do you get them for specific kits?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Dry transfers for specific kits come with the Master Grade kits only.

[@PrimusProductions]

TheGhostofZeon I see, so are they produced for every master grade kit, and where can I get the decals?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Primus Productions They come with the actual kit itself. There are a few like the new Sazabi ver Ka that comes with water slides though.

[@smac0010]

do you get your kits from metro hobbies on swanston street in melbourne?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Yes, I buy from them from time to time. Animasia in Carlton and Andrews Hobbies in Deer Park are 2 other places I buy from in Melbourne. Most of the kits I buy come direct from Hobbyco in Sydney.

[@smac0010]

oh ok well im kinda new to gundam models, i could tell that you go to metro hobbies from ya hobby knife, by the way does metro hobbies sell EX kits? I'm looking for a LHM BB01 Minerva

[@shikmaru1999]

you can check hlj.com they are the most reliable for gunpla and gunpla accesories and gundam graphic tees

[@MrImpossiblyBlack]

Are dry transfer decals easier to apply than water slide decals?

[@TheGhostofZeon]

Water slides are much easier to get correct the first time in my opinion. Dry transfers are more a 'one shot' sort of decal where as water slides can allow for a little handling to get it into the correct position before you set it in place.

[@poe8rynmotion]

I used your technique to apply some dry transfer rub on numbers, by Chartpak that I bought at www.pcbsupplies.com/rub-on-letters-chartpak-fls/ and it worked great. I use 6 point numbers and have a hard time lining them up, but using masking tape is great. I also use their Wilson Jones dry transfers and it worked great with those as well. Thank You

[@TheGhostofZeon]

No problems. Glad it worked for you.

[@angelcquest]

Funny thing is I’m uninformed the same transfer decals he’s using

[@mr22turner]

Deeee -cal.

[@Huyvovo903]

I freaking hate dry decals. Why don't they just use water decals instead like Katoki kits...?

[@ghettoblaster4life1]

agreed , these things are the worst .....water decals go on much easier ,look better as well.

[@sallygirl3]

If you are looking for custom dry transfers, my company Image Transfers can make them for you. Clients can supply artwork or we can create it for you. We also have a You Tube video "How to apply custom dry transfers" you might like to check out.

[@Star_cab]

"Dea kulls" where about's are you?

[@Teebxv]

Shit I thought they were water decal LMAO I wasted my shit by dipping it in water haha fuck I'm so new at this.

[@simunator]

steven doan hope you wasted on a hg or lower, wasting a set on mg+ is sounds like a travesty

[@ghettoblaster4life1]

worst stickers ever

[@Tripledashhh_]

chuck wick lol decals. sticker are peel off types. it takes practice theyre really not hard to use.

[@333xebec]

Well the music makes you extra difficult to understand along with your British accent.

[@DavidWoods255]

lol British accent

[@KANEISNINJA]

... he's Aussie u fukwit

[@tupperwoo2742]

Aussie accent*

[@armyghy]

dry transfer decals are horrible. Whoever came up with that idea shoulda been fired.

[@colinjones3871]

cool