OK, I'm not a beginner but this seemed like the obvious place for help. I've put on a lot of decals, both the water transfer type and the "sticky back" type with ARF's and the later is where I'm having my problems today. I have a GP PT17 Stearman that I've had for about 4-5 years and decided to finish it up. The decals came out of the box and were really wrinkled....the clear layover the color layer. I mixed up some soapy water as recommended, peeled off the backing, put it in the water and then applied. When I atempted to smooth out the decal with a paper towel, the wrinkles just would not go away and when I squeeged with a piece of soft balsa as recommended, the clear coat made spots, good sized spots, where it seperated from the color layer. Would this just be a matter of fact that the decals were too old?? I finally gave up and ordered a new set but I don't want to ruin another set of decals so what would be the suggestions? What did/am I doing wrong??
Thanks,
Andy

G'day I had a similar problem with the decals from a Phoenix kit. I did not put then on the plane when I finished it and I left them lying around. They got hot and they warped and shrunk and once they did this they were impossible to use without wrinkles.

I used to put decals on dry but recently I have taken to using the soapy water method except that I use Windex or similar window cleaner. It works brilliantly. I put the large decals on a Four Star 40 and a Sig Kadet LT-40 and did not get a single wrinkle or air bubble. Better still, the decals really stuck well and have showed no tendency to lift with use.

Cheers

Mike in Oz

OK Mike...........thanks for the info........now how do you use the Windex? Just squirt it on and then the decal or what? A buddy of mine in Ohio mentioned that so would you elaborate for me..........I don't want to trash my new decals........I feel like an OHF []
Thanks,
Andy

Yep, just squirt the Windex on the plane. Lay the decal on the wet spot and make sure it's got enough down so you can move the decal around. Then do as you started. First work out a good portion of the solution with a paper towel. Now check your positioning. You can use balsa as a squeegee, but IMHO the wood is too soft to let you completely get all the solution out. If you have an credit card you can use that, just wrap some paper towel around the working end so it doesn't scratch you decals. I save all the cards that I get when staying in hotels because they make excellent squeegees for this and for applying epoxy. Anyway, slowing work the card along the decal and slowly squeeze the solution out from under it. Sometimes you may have to work it several times until you get. If you get bubbles under the decal lift one edge till it gets to the bubble, put down a little more Windex, and then while keeping the edge up slowly word your card/towel squeegee towards the edge. This will let you work it down with no bubble.

Hope this helps

Ken

oldtyme, I have had some old decals also that did the same thing yours did. I got them from a buddy and where they were folded, I noticed that the clear top layer was coming off of the lower color layer. Basically they were no good. RCKen gives good advise with windex. The only thing I would add is to let them sit overnight so they dry good. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice..........when I get my new set I'll go with the help. Hopefully this will be the end.......good practice though because I'm getting a 1/6 Sopwith Pup from Balsa USA and the darn decals for that kit cost me $35.00. Through another mishap, someone mis-placed the decals for my TF C182 kit and I had to order them too!!! The decals cost $12.50 for that and they want $6.50 shipping..........so another $20 for decals..........[:@]

G'day

Yep, RCKen has the right idea, just do as he says and you will be right. It really does work well. For years I just kept putting them on dry and then recently decided to try it as the decals on the Four Star series are large and it is very difficult to get them in the right spot if you do it dry. I was immediately impressed with the Windex Method. Just spray plenty on, slide the decal into position and gently squeeze the liquid out. And as someone else said, leave for at least overnight to let it dry properly.

Enjoy your decal fitting.

Mike in Oz