Decals on figures?

[baronband]

Hi guys, I'm sure the purists will roll over in their graves at this question but...
If i were to use decals for detailed badges on figures, i know i should ideally paint over them and use them only as a guide but if i use them for small detail what is the best way to get them to "sit " into the figure? How can i make them look matt and ideally not like a decal?

many thanks in advance

Baronband (John)

 

[housecarl]

John, I can't see a problem using anything that get the job done.
I put them on to gloss varnish using Microscale setting solution, then give it a coat of Vallejo decalfix, but any matt varnish would do.
Carl.

 

[baronband]

Hi
thanks Carl, i won't feel so guilty now!
And thanks for the tips
John

 

[Akritas]

John,

One alternative to using decals is to use stencils and Tommi (one of the members and administrators of the forum) may be able to help you in this depending on what kind of figures you are painting. You can find the link to his website on his profile page.

If you are going to use decals, then you can use a decal application solvent which is commercially available from all model shops (this is usually used by AFV modellers) however you need to be careful because the solvent may react with the paint and ruin everything. I suggest you run some tests first.

A method the AFV modellers use when applying decals is to spray the model with gloss varnish, apply the decals and then spray with matt varnish to seal them and take away the sheen. Maybe in the case of figures you can simply apply them and then touch them up with a bit of matt varnish. Again you need to be careful not to have the varnish react with the paint.

Cheers
Nicolas

 

[Akritas]

And I see that Carl was able to squiz everything is just two lines and was types faster than I!!!

 

[baronband]

Hi Nicolas
thanks for the info much appreciated
Oh and yeah Carl was pretty quick off the mark!!

John

 

[tonydawe]

The purists may complain, but there's nothing wrong with using decals on figures. The objective is to achieve realism and if a decal helps you reach that objective then go fo it.

 

[Ferris]

Just caught this thread. Just like to add a comment to the advice above.
Depending on the scale, I like to add the decal on a piece of gloss-painted lead foil, let it dry, seal it with matt varnish, cut the thing out and apply it to the figure with a minimal amout of glue. Don't forget to paint the sides of the foil. This procedure gives some depth to the insignia, but this is mainly needed for 1:24 scale and larger.

Cheers,
Adrian

 

[baronband]

Hi Adrian
thanks for the tip, thats a great idea as i was thinking about 1/16th figures and having practiced realised that the decals "sat" in too deep to represent a thick badge. I will be trying your idea post haste!!

thanks again
John

 

[skeeterbuck]

I don't remember seeing any "rules" on how to paint figures. If it looks right, it IS right

 

[Silversurfer]

I don't remember seeing any "rules" on how to paint figures. If it looks right, it IS right

Yessssssssssssssssss!

 

[baronband]

Cheers Charles
now i don't feel so dirty!!!!!

 

[Rich Sculpts]

Cheers Charles
now i don't feel so dirty!!!!!

Live on the edge - embrace the thrill!!!

 

[Rich Sculpts]

Hi Adrian
thanks for the tip, thats a great idea as i was thinking about 1/16th figures and having practiced realised that the decals "sat" in too deep to represent a thick badge. I will be trying your idea post haste!!

thanks again
John

Do the math - how thick in reality is a badge? Most badges on models are way over scale for effect. Simply add a wash of colour on the edges to emphasis the raised surface....

 

[baronband]

Hi Rich
if you don't mind i'd rather embrace the thrill than do the maths!!! He he.

 

[Rich Sculpts]

Hi Rich
if you don't mind i'd rather embrace the thrill than do the maths!!! He he.

The math measures the effect....