How To Apply Decals, The Basics

#scalemodelling #Decalling
In this video I talk about applying decals to scale models, we look at the tools needed, the best application methods and how to achieve a smooth clean finish with no silvering.
Help support the channel:
www.paypal.me/...
/ championscalemodelling
Email me: [e-mail]

[@DonDi94]

Thank you for this, I am doing my first model car and I was completely puzzled by how to attach the "stickers", for the speedometer i ended up glueing the cardboard with the decal on directly into the dedicated space like a savage. I'll try to do the rest of the decals following your guide :'D

[@itztobi145]

I've applied over 1000 decals but i'm still watching this😂 Great video

[@liamgray9805]

Hey there, this is very helpful, I’ve just started back at the hobby after 45-50 years away and I’m currently putting decals on a 1/48 spitfire - nightmare the first couple, many thanks great video, cheers.

[@travis_thompson]

A tip I picked up recently, you can get USB powered disks that serve as cup warmers, they are great for keeping your decal water at a constant 40c so no having to go and refill your water when it gets cold.

[@demonjediscalemodelling8247]

great video, can never have too much decalling advice!

[@Luna20407]

I was just trying to peel off my decals with a knife like they were stickers. This was very helpful

[@eddiebirdie1545]

Hiya Samantha, as you said you were trying to peel decals off with a knife like stickers am i correct in thinking you are new to modeling ? if so may i offer a tip i descoverd over 40 years ago, if a decal folds over on itself on your model (this happens to me quite often) it doesn't mean that it's ruined i use Humbrol Decalfix to apply mine, simply add more Decalfix with a number two Humbrol brush to it and wait about 10 seconds then GENTLY ease the brush under the decal until it is completely loose if it is still folded lift it off with the brush and put it in about 3 millimetres of warm water and gently ease it straight useing two brushes then take the peice of backing paper and with tweezers slide it under the decal hold it in place with a brush and lift it out this will keep it flat and recoat the back of the decal with adhesive gum, add more Decalfix to your model and slide the decal back in place, hope this is helpful, happy modelling.

[@SaroDantra]

Great video, thanks for making it. To add my two cents: I like to use cocktail sticks to move the decal into position once it's on the model. I find it gives much more control than my fingers or a brush. So far I haven't damaged any using this technique.

[@chrisfischer7918]

Thank you so much for posting this video. Putting decals on my large German Tiger tank model and I was unsure on the best way to apply. Followed your instructions to the letter and it worked out brilliantly.

[@ModelMinutes]

Great tutorial - i'll be sure to send people here when I get asked questions about this topic :D

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Thanks, the more thr merrier! 👌

[@kevinwalters6463]

Just getting back into building model now that the kids are in college and these videos àre very helpful.

[@robbo1068]

Thanks, Jason. As a more experienced modeler I learned something from this video......never thought about using water rather than a setting agent when initially applying the decal....will give it a go!

[@cryptojihadi265]

Thanks, very straightforward and helpful. Really simplified the process.

[@oldforestroad]

Super helpful, thank you. I struggle with decals and will work on the methods you have shared.

[@bentstrider]

Should've watched this before ruining a $14 set of decals for a starship Enterprise I'm working on. Reordered, got those proper solvents, and gonna give it a go again. Liked and Saved into my lists🎉🎉

[@neilharrison1420]

thank you so much for making and sharing ,its wonderful to watch.

[@thestyrenemechanic8026]

Kool vid of the basics. Look forward to seeing more advanced tips coming. Thanks!

[@kitswithkaren5003]

Very useful tutorial to point one in the right direction.🐻🐒🤗👍

[@rickiecheese36]

Great video thanks, doing an Airfix Red Arrows Gnat starter kit as getting into modelling. Now I feel ready to tackle the decals.

[@SuperUmzy]

Absolutely great information sir .. salute

[@liamfarnell6638]

Very straightforward video 👍

[@fabio_amado]

best explanation I've seen.

[@minkles1330]

Just started my first model kit, the basic Airfix spitfire and I've already ripped my first decal trying to position it haha.... I was using decal set sol but maybe I should've smothered the area with water. Ah well, it's only my first model, pity you only get one shot at it sigh, maybe I'll paint a sad face there now haha.

[@MB_ACTION]

Same with me mate

[@jimbo4375]

Just started a Messerschmitt 109E 1:72 scale... just finding out how fiddly and detailed Airfix is! My first decals disintegrated, started with the ones for the instruments that are thankfully barely visible once assembled

[@deusexvelo]

I am building this and the Supermarine Spitfire and noted that the Airfix pieces are sometime wrongly identified! I fugged up the instrument panel decal

[@fireteammichael1777]

Thanks for this! Been years since I did any modeling, basically was little kid. Just recently got a bunch of my favorite aircrafts and while much better at assembling, filing/sanding, gluing, and painting, etc, decal application I'm learning all over. Many of the models I recently acquired are quite old and the decals are quite fragile I've realized, so this helps immensely!

[@theepicenderman6478]

I just bought a spitfire model and this really helps

[@franktozier3184]

Well done thank you.

[@woodenlungs1]

Great video. Thank you.

[@siplt2946]

Thank you soooki much I’m. We to marking models thank you for showing how to do decals

[@supercat380]

Nice guidance and helpful tips, well- done!

[@martinhines2834]

Great video explained perfectly

[@ednichols4778]

Thanks for doing this. Excellent job.

[@flot.2261]

It helped me make my spitfire model

[@iambru]

wow you are a life saver his really helps

[@christianfrisch9737]

Thank you for your video it really helped

[@infjmale91]

Nice one dude. It's annoying it doesn't say in the instructions but thank you! Now my titanic model will be complete!

[@racherutheneko7270]

Great video! Very useful.

[@lisahowells9258]

I had a spitfire and a airsoft gun and so I put the tail decal ( the red white and blue) on the barrel

[@anonymousunmasked8310]

Thanks for the advice :)

[@ericbadia5]

Very helpful!!

[@ethanhogan523]

What are some resources you trust for making your own decals? For example, a website that can make your designs into decals.

[@heftys13]

This video is more helpful than all the other ones I have seen about Micro sol but my question is this I use a lot of army painter and Vallejo paint sometimes I put water to place a decal and I will notice that the paint color will be on my cotton swab or is that with all acrylic paint because it is not clear coat

[@TJRohyans]

I've always left my decals sitting longer in the warm water. I've seen several videos lately where the modeler doesn't leave it in the water nearly as long. I guess I've been doing it wrong all these years. Did you ever make an advanced decalling video?

[@eddiecooper6207]

Thanks I was trying to peel them of like stickers :P

[@user-ul5jw4zy1l]

Is that supermarine seafire?

[@vladancovic6782]

Hi there, nice tutorial regarding decals. Have a question: if everything is OK after application how long to wait before applying a varnish?? Thanks.

[@alvinlarsson8597]

Hey, do you need these products or do water also work well? Im kinda puzzled around this question, i have just begun my modelling journey. But still thank you, you gave me alot of answers.

[@raginggamer2109]

Great video! I’m regards to the gloss coat you said just go ahead. Should I just brush semi gloss or gloss on the area the decal is going or just airbrush the entire body?

[@supermickey6196]

Quick question on the last step when using the Matte coat, I use the TS-80 flat coat and it creates this look as if my planes has had rain on it and a lil spotty. What do u use for ur Matte coat

[@Ninjapig847]

I'm doing my first build and I wondered do I have to use micro set or other setting thing or can I leave it

[@daanbos5918]

Can you also do it whitout a setting solution?

[@pinguspringus8356]

Could you tell me what plane the second model is supposed to represent? The tail looks like the one on the P51, the wings are a mix of P51 and bf 109, the nose looks like a 109E model but the air I take is in the wrong position, the what I assume are cannons looks French, and it looks to have Swiss markings

[@brazenpo6408]

Hi man! Just wanted to know, I've bought a Revell soft decal, and it doesn't seems to work AT ALL. Do you think that there is a strong enough softener, cause it seems like mine isn't doing much. Sorry to comment on a video that's 3yo!

[@klttrll]

Will the decal be ok without a Matt coat?

[@firefly7416]

Hi, what matte coating did you used? thanks for the help.

[@allangarant3907]

just watched the video very informative but i have a question, should you gloss finish the complete plane or just the area for the decal and then would you apply a Lacquer to complete the kit. thanks in advance Allan

[@beeble2003]

You only need the gloss coat where the decals are -- it's so the decals are going onto a completely smooth surface. But it's probably easier to just gloss-coat the whole thing.

[@jrbezzato6981]

It has happened to me many times that, once applied to the models, over time the transparent edges of the decals turn yellow. Do you know any way to prevent it?

[@jdcookiemonster]

Nice seafire, which kit is it?

[@stuckie3916]

How long should you wait to apply the solvacet to shrink the decal?

[@Tonkatsu-ka]

is it fine if you dont use the sol and micro set and gloss?

[@AdrianGurka-lq6ju]

Do I Need to add the micro set blue one on or its optional?😊

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Blue is arguably the most important one as it makes sure the decal is firmly stuck, that will help with silvering. Red melts the decal around details

[@junglejim99]

What matt coat do you use? Thanks

[@joemontgomery6658]

What gloss coat do you use? I use Acrylic paints and gloss with future, but i've had problems with the Micro set/sol attacking the gloss coat

[@kjaesp]

Well I've noticed people get very defensive about it but I would advice to either stop glossing at all, or at the least ditch the floor polish. A good utility gloss is tamiya X-22 or people enjoy aquagloss but I haven't used it personally. However like I said if your paint layer itself is smooth and consistent (it can be mat!) a gloss coat doesn't necesarily help with anything. If you are worried about silvering apply plenty of water or decal adhesive (micro set for example) and make sure no air gets trapped under the decal when it is drying. if it does, prick the bubbles after its completely dried and apply more adhesive or softener.

[@rage_floof7574]

Is the micro set a thing you need to use

[@andyalexrauff6535]

I don't have those solutions for my titanic model :(

[@PeterAgostiniJdcap26]

Good video.. but the number ones are much harder to apply.

[@benfisher8437]

Hi, I’m quite new to all this so sorry if this is a stupid question. Is the micro set and sol vital or will the decal still stay put without it?

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

No but it helps them sink down and stay put, they work perfectly well with just water

[@benfisher8437]

@@ChampionScaleModelling okay, thank you.

[@nadiadegiorgi4163]

3:36 wath plane is?

[@waynebrinker8095]

03:40 Whaat?? Swiss? P-51 + Yak 9 + What canopy?? What is it? Help me!

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

Doflug D3803

[@waynebrinker8095]

@@ChampionScaleModelling Thank you.

[@Flyingcarrot321]

Do you need the setting solutions?

[@LemurKrazy]

No one ever mentions the problems. How to deal with decals that fold over themselves or wrinkle after setting solution. You know those times when it's the most important decal of the kit and everything goes wrong lol.

[@TiberiusMaximus]

i thought we're not supposed to glosscote over decals

[@ChampionScaleModelling]

There are no rules!

[@TiberiusMaximus]

@@ChampionScaleModelling lol

[@battlefieldcustoms873]

weirdest stickers ever- after watching this video its like “AH, thats why”

[@1dimtim]

everyone that wants to know its pronounced daycal as it comes from french!

[@Christian-wm5bq]

Basics? You are littery wasting 90 percent of the time talking about nonsense

[@spinynorman887]

Apparently, applying decals is even easier than pronouncing the word "decal". LMAO! Don't freak, I know you Brits have more than one pronunciation. I'm just giving you sh-t. But in my head, every time you said it, I'd see "dekkle".

[@marmotton1784]

Well done thank you.

[@marmotton1784]

Well done thank you.