Removing Decals and Silvering.....

[Guest]

Hi folks, just been building a model of the Star Trek USS Enterprise and am having problems with Silvering.

It didnt look to bad at first but its getting on my nerves now and I need to do something about it. The model is rather large approx 3' and the saucer bit at the front is the worst.

I followed the kit instructions by putting the white gloss paint on first, then a covering of Pearlescent Tamiya paint then the Decals. With a final covering of matt clear airbrushed over.

Now I assume that the pearlescent has acted like a matt finish causing the silvering?

Can anyone tell me the best way to remove large amounts of decals and tips for preventing silvering?

Thanks folks.

[Guest]

Had the same problem Paul removing decals.Found the best way was a finger nail lightly scratching them away. Not after cutting nails the ends of mine where well matured nice & smooth.

Your problem is you have sealed the decal with matt varnish or clear putting a coat over the decal.

You could try if it has not long been applied try the thiiners for the paint you are using. BUT you may find if you stray that you have ruined the surrounding paint work.

Gloss varnish or Klear before applying decals. Matt or satin will give you silvering.

Laurie

[stona]

Removing decals can be a hit and miss affair. Sometimes you can lift them off,usually in bits,with sellotape. As you've sealed them with your matt varnish this may not work. I've heard of people softening them with everything from setting solutions to steam in an effort to remove them but ultimately you may have to bite the bullet and scrape or sand them off before repainting the model.

The smoother the surface the less chance you have of silvering and a good gloss coat is the best way to ensure this. I've never used a pearlescent finish so I don't know if that would be your problem but it must be a prime suspect.

Cheers

Steve

[Ian M]

If the decal is sealed under a coat of varnish or the like you will need to get the varnish off first. If a thinners wash is out of the question, the only other way is mechanical. On a flat surface, (no raised detail) fine wet and dry paper used wet. Then you might be able to get the decal off with micro sol. Then there is the problem of replacing the decals. On a WWII aircraft, not a problem, USS Enterprise might present a few though.

Ian M

[Guest]

Thanks folks..... The matt finish I used was Valejo, and after speaking to them you can remove this with Surgical spirit up to 30 days after completion. So thats hopefully how to remove the top cote.

The decals are going to have to come off one way or another and since I am going to have to give it a quick spray of white gloss I suppose I could even use wet and dry... All that work .....

After reading your suggestions I was thinking of white gloss, the pearlescent then a cote of clear gloss?

Think that would work ?

Replacing the decals is fairly easy oddly enough, there are a few companies in the US that supply them.... Lots of geeks (like me) in the world lol

[Guest]

Thanks folks..... The matt finish I used was Valejo, and after speaking to them you can remove this with Surgical spirit up to 30 days after completion. So thats hopefully how to remove the top cote.Paul that sounds like a good tip. But just a question does the surgical spirit remove only the varnish & leave the paint untouched ?

Whoops perhaps you would let us know. I would test it first Paul.

Laurie

[Guest]

Laurie, I used it last night and it removed the Valejo clear perfectly. It sort of peeled off in small flakes almost, a little like PVA when you get it on your hands.

The paint underneath was fine.... in fact it cleaned it perfectly!

Pity its getting rubbed down today.

[Guest]

Laurie, I used it last night and it removed the Valejo clear perfectly. It sort of peeled off in small flakes almost, a little like PVA when you get it on your hands.The paint underneath was fine.... in fact it cleaned it perfectly!

Pity its getting rubbed down today.

Paul that is good news & thanks for your persistence another first & another first aid treatment goes in the locker.

Laurie