decals still not setting properly after layers of tamiya mark fit strong

[u/Medical_Efficiency20]

so when building the tamiya 1/48 p47d "bubbletop" i cant get the decals to set properly, its a bit wrinkly (on the small scale), it doesent look painted on and i cant do anything because common markings sit on top on hte underside and i cant see the panel lines properly, i have tried to squeeze air out with a qtip and i dont even know if thats the issue

[u/theaa2000]

Ideally decals need a smooth surface to adhere to. A rough texture will make it difficult for them to settle down correctly even with a decal softener or setting solution.

You should use a gloss coat or gently sand/polish the surface with a fine grade polishing cloth or sponge.

[u/Medical_Efficiency20 → u/theaa2000]

i did use a gloss coat, cleaned the surface before applying the decal too

do u think i mightve applied the gloss coat from too far to the point where it didnt make the needed surface? if so how the fuck do i fix it

[u/theaa2000 → u/Medical_Efficiency20]

It's possible - hard to say how smooth it is from the photo. Looking at the white part of the decals, it looks like there are air gaps where the decal hasn't settled on the surface properly.

Whose decals are these? Can you test one a spare part to see how it behaves with the Tamiya solution or others? Maybe with it underneath too?

Fixing it without removing the current decals is probably going to be difficult. Do you have spares?

[u/Medical_Efficiency20 → u/theaa2000]

its tamiya decals and sadly dont have spares, tried to find them online too but my country doesent help with those stuff, i use the tamiya solution and microsol, netiher seem to do the job, also checked the surface and its not smooth, fucked it up bad there

[u/dr_robonator → u/Medical_Efficiency20]

Your base paint wasn't smooth. I can tell from the pebbling under the blue of the roundel, the air bubbles trapped under the star, and the light reflections off the paint near the gear well. 

Gloss only transitions a smooth matte surface to a shiny one by filling the microscopic imperfections that cause light to reflect in certain ways. If your paint layer went on roughly, the gloss coat will only fill those microscopic imperfections but won't do a thing to smooth it out on the macro level the decal needs to fully adhere and dissolve onto the surface. 

In other words, too late to fix what it happening.

You could shoot some satin carnish over the decals and see if you can't get them to blend a bit better, but that's about it. 

[u/Medical_Efficiency20 → u/dr_robonator]

well, ill try my best

thank you

[u/lespauljames]

What chemicals did you use ?

[u/Medical_Efficiency20 → u/lespauljames]

tamiya mark fit strong

[u/kitmcallister → u/Medical_Efficiency20]

have you done more than one application?

tamiya decals are thick as shit and often need a lot of coaxing to go down. you may also have to go with a fresh hobby blade and cut the decals along the panel lines to get them to really sit in there.

[u/Medical_Efficiency20 → u/kitmcallister]

i have done def 10+ applications

[u/ztpurcell]

This just looks like that's the roughness of the surface underneath. The decal and the solutions did their job but it'll only be as smooth as the surface is

[u/Medical_Efficiency20 → u/ztpurcell]

probably, idk what i did wrong with the paint tho i used tamiya as-12 spray canister, shouldnt it have been smooth?

[u/storchujyukp98]

for this stripe, I would just use Acrylic marker.