And one more...
Some of articles I've read on this subject in other modeling periodicals (military equipment comes to mind) use an interesting technique....that I've never given a fair chance to, though!
They suggest soaking the decal in water and removing the decal from the backing paper. Then they turn the decal over, glue side up, on waxed paper. Using a fine camel hair brush and distilled water they carefully brush all of the glue from the back side of the decal. (This is to prevent 'yellowing' of the film on the model over time, exposure to light, atmospheric malevolents, etc., etc..)
Once the decal has been thus 'washed', they apply Future (clear acrylic) to the model surface to which the decal is to be applied. The decal is then applied (right side up, of course) to the model onto/into the wet Future. I can't recall any commentary regarding difficulty with poking/prodding the decal into position while the Future is still wet, but, again, I've never tried this myself, and I know I'm may be overly simplifying what else they are doing. I can only say that the photography shows an incredible end result these pros have achieved thusly.
I'm sure there must be tutorials galore with some diligent searching. Having worked more than 20 years at our LHS I've heard the better builders of static models (military, aircraft, automobiles, etc.) speak enthusiastically of shows/meets they attend featuring their special area of modeling and attending one or more of the tutorials and demonstrations the pros put on.
There's always something to be learned 'on the other side of the tracks', isn't there?
Come to think of it, these pandemic times would be a good opportunity to try some of these new techniques with all those old decal remnants I've got lying about.
