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(Topic ID: 286310)

Prep clearcoat for waterslides

By polyacanthus

3 years ago



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    #1 3 years ago
    OP
     
    JAS

    polyacanthus

    Pinside member

    9y 55,050 659

    I have never seen anyone discuss the specifics of prepping for waterslide decals between clearcoat layers. Namely the scuffing/sanding.

    I have lots of experience with decals through scale modeling. They need to be applied to a glossy surface to adhere properly without ghosting. But clearcoat is the opposite- it needs the surface to be sanded or scuffed for proper adhesion.

    So what do the experts do, apply decals and then sand around them? Or sand the playfield and then buff out the area where you place the decal?

    Furthermore, what about the clearcoat going over top of the smooth decal. Aren't you asking for ghosting there? Seems like you'll have a decal sandwiched between two smooth layers of clearcoat (top and bottom of the decal).

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    #2 3 years ago
     
    FUN

    pinheadpierre

    Pinside+ Frequent

    10y 94,800 2,559 16 1

    I typically sand the whole playfield as per normal and then go back over decal areas with finer grits to smooth it out a bit better for the decal. It doesn't have to be perfectly smooth, just enough that the decal won't fly off when initially hit with the air from the HVLP gun.

    As for clearing over the decal, the clearcoat basically melts the decal to the surface. Just a light mist coat at first. Let that flash, then a wetter coat of clear to fully melt/bond and seal it in. Usually, at least one more round of sanding/clearcoat is needed after the initial application to eliminate dieback at the decal edges.

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    #3 3 years ago
     
    MRM

    mrm_4

    Pinside+ Frequent

    6y 126K 6,213 11 1

    This thread helped me during a resto. Comments #9&10 are key

    https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/cloudy-insert-after-water-slide-decal

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    #4 3 years ago
     
    C&P

    Pablito350

    Pinside member

    US Red Lion, PA

    5y 100K 1,074 11 7

    If you scuff the clear before applying the decals it'll be cloudy as the decal won't fill in the scuffs.
    Put them over smooth glossy clear, then you can clear again over them.

    -Paul

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