Tutorial: Water Slide Decals

I have a Facebook page now!!
/ vegeta8259
Support me on Patreon:
/ vegeta8259
I also now have an Instagram!
@vegeta8259
For more photos of my kits, visit my photo blog:
vegeta8259.blogspot.com/
vegeta8259's random ramblings on Twitter:
/ vegeta8259

[@Sooz3112]

Great video. I agree. My decals are generally 3" to 4". It took many attempts to finally get my technique 'spot on'. I think I went tgrough about 4 sheets of A4 paper, each sheet had around 8 images on them. It's just something you have to take your time with - don't rush it 😃 x

[@Eaglesman3620]

For what it’s worth I picked up an Ironman MK L figure and it has water slides decals in it. This video has been the most descriptive as far as how to do everything start to finish. I don’t want to mess up this model. Great vid

[@brennanbova1756]

Thanks so much for posting these. I've learned a lot from your tutorials.

[@Erdrick68]

Awesome video. Now I understand how you are able to just pluck the deals off the paper like that. Every other tutorial out there says to soak the decals. I'll definitely be trying your method with some spare decals I have.

[@OtonashiV]

Man, I used your original waterslide tutorial when I first did waterslides. Thought it was thorough enough.

[@DaihupGametube]

Very good tutorial, concepts clearly explained and techniques expertly demonstrated, thank you!

[@justinmanny2558]

Thanks! Been working on a Vidar and wanted to add caution stickers to him but not mess him up. This helped immensely.

[@1983Corolla]

Just got the Hi-Nu Gundam so this help's refresh me on how too do them cause I def wanna use the waterslides with that kit.

[@nippyhobbies4525]

Hey, I know that this is 2 years old but how the hi-by Gundam now? I just got mine and I’m terrified by the 3 piece fin funnels, cheers

[@jordanlobo8512]

13:10 for tamiya paints i recommend not letting softer stay for more than 6 seconds, it hurt the paint around it, and i hope that top coating will fix that

[@MisterSouji]

Funny how you're putting a Tallgeese decal on wing zero. Also funny that I'm rewatching this video because I'm about to start working on that same 1/60 wing zero kit.

[@Cherrykiller666]

Thank you! Great tutorial!

[@brianwitkowski6700]

Thank you! This was super helpful

[@ReSe2k]

Thanks for this tutorial! So after you paint your kit (gloss paint) you put the decals on and panel line and then just the flat topcoat?

[@danialhaziq4162]

very helpful video, thank you so much for this!

[@magnusprime27]

You mentioned panel lineing afterwards on the wing zero shoulder piece..could you show that going on over the decal? I've always wondered..do you panel line it first or after and I've never used any spray paints or done any top coating so looking forward to a tutorial on it...

[@Mundane05]

10:08 I had to forensically rewind the video to find the specific time in which you break the wing of the decal. Could you describe what you did wrong there? Too much force? I'd like to avoid a mishap.

[@char1913]

You could let the waterslide soak a little longer and take great care when separating the decal from the paper where this happens a lot. But in this case @ 09:59 using too much pressure or 'overworking' the slide to dry up the excess can cause it to flake off. But this still is a great tutorial.

[@ceeme03]

Questions: Should I apply panel lines before or after applying water slide decals? For example Build-panel line-decal-top coat. Build-decal-panel line-top coat. I tend to use gundam markers normal and pour style. Also I won't be painting my kits. Any advice would be great as I'm about to build my first kit with waterslides Also thank you for this video, for some reason I find yours the most straight forward and informative as other miss steps or talk about them, you actually showed the steps and for novices like me it's a major help.

[@inori3915]

Yes, applying panel lines before the decals is the best thing to do

[@vashts85]

I'm checking out the shading of the black pieces in the back, how did you achieve that? Mostly curious about what colors you used and if gloss/flat.

[@ryanleewq]

Question: If I'm doing an oil wash on my kit after applying dry transfer decals, would it still be recommended to apply a gloss coat before decal application? I'm just worried the smoothness of the gloss coat would affect the look after the gunk wash. Great tutorial by the way!

[@comicconfreak]

Thank you for the detailed tips and demonstration. How would you redo a water decal if you change your mind down the road? Do you need to have a Setter for the decals or is their original adhesive just fine?

[@matthewvalentyn751]

what top coats do you recommend for protecting water slide decals? I really like the semi gloss affect mr super clear has but it says it may damage water slide decals so I'm unsure :o

[@adolfhilter]

Great tutorial, Do you apply a gloss coat before decals to minimize silvering? thanks

[@Slacking02]

Do you ever use the Pledge clear coat before decals or weathering technique?

[@kami12kaze87]

Hey Henry, can you do a tutorial on how to achieve a high-gloss finish?

[@V2ULTRAKill]

A gloss topcoat can do the trick if its not a fully matte plastic

[@davidhollis8606]

Do you have a link where you bought your tape cutting guide

[@magnusprime27]

I'm going to use softer after the decals on, Do you have to use the setter first?

[@ikhsanstbd]

It helps the decals to stick better

[@haroldquintos1853]

Your paint jobs are so glossy and shiny, i used glossy paints too but the finished are not glossy like yours do. Any tip to make it like yours?

[@zidini]

Gloss top coat?

[@uc79newtype]

Hi dad

[@CameronCaliflower]

Gunpla Pa

[@raihanaji7516]

Can i use the mr mark setter on other models or diecast?

[@dwipadoe4881]

Thank u sir 🙏🏼

[@ferdiepalacios2622]

after puting the decal, what do you put on top of it to prevent it from being scratched? do you top coat on it?

[@hyakushiki4406]

dabbing on the setter/softer is fine too right.

[@FierceIndian07]

im trying to figure out how to make ingen logo water slide decal for my jp vehicles

[@Blazinter]

Where could I order custom decals now that SamuelDecal's business now is purely based on reselling P-Bandai (along "3rd party" kits)? I know I can find some things on ebay but I really would like to order completely custom new stuff and printing my own right now is straight out not doable

[@bogdanamarioarei1005]

Hello! I have a question: The water must be cold or hot when I put the decals? How much time the decal stay in water?

[@avivmizrachi4382]

Amazing stuff. I saw a few videos from Korea and Japan that have suoer cool decals for gunpla, any advice or tips or sites you may know where we here in the USA can get these?

[@sandiafatal3272]

10:40 looks painful.

[@peger]

Tnx very informative. I waiting for my first MG :D

[@RexRenart]

Thanks

[@wesker919]

Are the MG Sinanju's gold trim water slides nightmarish to apply?

[@darrylariansyah1057]

Yes it is, I go for the stickers instead

[@averygaxha3692]

If you don’t paint your kits, is applying the decal on the bare plastic alright or should you gloss top coat it first?

[@JeremiasSR512]

No Painted Kits: 1. Gloss coat (smooth surface). 2. Panel line (wash flows better). 3. Apply Decals (something something mark setter/softer). 4. Flat/matt coat (permanent seal=no dark/dusted corners). 5. Gloss coat (optional).

[@ChukFlanagan]

I apply decals to bare plastic all the time... let them dry ... then hit them with a matte top coat. [2 coats] ...really seals the decals in.

[@n10srandomcontent81]

Imagine taking a bath and applying waterslide decals on your gunpla, lol

[@jpkHouston]

Does mark setter/softer affect the paint at all?

[@jpkHouston]

@@vegeta8259 I see, thanks for the quick reply. In that case, I wanted to ask, I've been using fingernail filers to sand down nub marks but I want to get actual sanding sticks for my first big project. Would you be able to recommend a set of sanding sticks for a beginner?

[@gerardomarca8805]

what if i can't get under any situation a mr. mark softer, what should i do for the decals over panel lines?

[@gerardomarca8805]

Thank you very much¡ :J

[@genji7751]

I use dilluted acetone. I test the mixture on a spare decal (company logo or "Made in" print) before application.

[@paolo_siega]

Why does it say on Mr. Hobby's site that Mark Softer goes on Before mark setter? I've been using it that way ever since I've discovered that Mr Mark Setter is some kind of solvent (more like vinegar-ish) and Softer is the adhesive. says so right in their site www.mr-hobby.com/en/itemDetail.php?iId=214 "MR.MARK SOFTER This is a softening agent for slidemarks. It has the effect of closely adhering slidemarks to curved surfaces. 【Method of use】 ・ First, apply a quick drop to the area where the decal will go using the brush attached to the cap. ・ Apply decal over it.・ Apply gentle pressure to the decal with a soft cloth, removing any excessive liquid and sticking the decal down fast. ・ The decal will stick perfectly, even on uneven or curved surfaces. ・ If air gets in between the decal and the model surface, after drying delicately prick the decal with a needle and insert Mr.MARK SOFTER through the resulting hole. The air will escape, and the decal will stick down firmly."

[@paulwilkinson3963]

"simple as that" Nope.

[@MilandIvanforlife7]

😀👍👍👍👍

[@sabirnini4251]

Do u really need glue?

[@MyLife-og2kr]

I'm having problems with the decals not getting wet enough; therefore, not coming off unless I peel it off. I put the decals in water for 5 to 7, nothing. I put the decals in the water for +10 seconds, nothing. What is wrong? I cut it as is, with the green paper still in the back as it should and put it in water. What is wrong?

[@archienov]

Not sure you still need a reply after a year, but are you sure those are waterslide decals? It's possible what you had were dry transfer decals. Those don't use water, but are instead rubbed on directly.

[@MyLife-og2kr]

@@archienov I think you're right. Even if it's a year late, this still helps. Thanks

[@mylako7414]

This vedio is better than others make more vedios detail vedios.

[@kevinshea5819]

I love you.

[@acidous]

hi, have you considered making follow-up to this video, which will cover top/gloss-coating? I've heard some scarry stories about gloss/topcoat making bandai plastic brittle or melting their decals and I'm not sure what brand should I use or what countermeasures should i take to prevent such tragedy

[@muffinmanlan]

This really helped me, I just scratched a decal thinking it was a sticker :/

[@MangyForestCat]

I really do wish you'd stop rolling the cotton swab a 100 times over the decal. Christ, roll it once. Let the water evaporate for a couple hours. Come back and film the Mark Softer. Wipe once. Come back in a couple hours after that evaporates and film the ending. You stripped the decal by overworking the area like a maniac. You do know you can film in several different parts so the liquid naturally evaporates, right?