Post by JNXT 7707 on Jun 6, 2021 11:00:18 GMT -5
I’ll delete this if inappropriate use of your thread but,
Jerry or Randy
How do you guys slide a long decal stripe from the backing keeping the stripe in one piece? Thx
It will help if the decal is completely ready to slide off, meaning you're not forcing it in any way.
Other than that, it should not be any different from a smaller decal, however, in the context of older decals, which may be more brittle with age, or newer ones that are super-thin - you do have to be more patient and careful.
What I do is I start the decal at one end with a toothpick holding it down or a wet finger. Make sure your finger is wet, otherwise the decal wants to stick to your finger.
Then slowly pull the backing paper away, doing your best to lay the decal down as close as where you want it to be. Don't stress this, because it never lays exactly where you need it, and you'll be adjusting it.
Once down, I take a small paintbrush and "paint" water along the length of the decal, to keep it loose and not sticking.
Then slowly, patiently, begin adjusting the decal with the tip of a toothpick or an old X-Acto blade tip. I say old, because if it is a new blade and super sharp, it tends to "pick" at the decal and the decal may stick to it.
This is where patience is your friend. Depending on how loose the decal is, it may not want to go where you are moving it, it tends to have a memory and want to spring back. To help with this, use a q-tip and dab at excess water under the decal to help it lay down and stick better.
It is a gradual process.
If it starts sticking too well before your adjustments are done, "paint" more water onto it.
Once it is where you want it, let it lie for a bit, to settle down and begin to latch on to the surface before you begin applying the Solvaset. Otherwise it may move out of position as you brush it on.
If the surface you are working with has natural breaks like molded-on grab irons or the like, sometimes I will cut the stripe into sections between those breaks. Sometimes easier than trying to lay the stripe over them.
About the Solvaset: Paint a light coat first and let it work a bit. Then go back and repeat as necessary. Rushing Solvaset is never a good idea and too much at once can be bad as well.
I think that is the gist of it - I'm sure Randy can add something. You'll likely develop your own techniques as you get practice.