@Paul Kallus posted:Wow, so I guess I got it backwards? I painted and weathered the structure first, latex paints, some india ink & alcohol...and then applied decals. I never imagined doing it any other way...and the guy who sold the decals said it would work over the weathered structure!
Think about it.... would the building be filthy and then someone put the sign on? Or would the building (or at least the sign board) be clean when the lettering was put on.
Chances are its going to be clean when the lettering is put on. Even an old building, getting a new sign will get a spot of paint where the sign goes (at least to cover the old sign up).
If you want everywhere but the sign to be weathered, cover the sign board in tape so it stays clean. Or weather it, then mask it off and paint over the signboard with fresh paint.
I dont usually wait for the decal to float off in the water. 10-15 seconds in the water then transfer to a wet paper towel to sit until it releases. You can then float it on with water or Microsol. Once its where you want it, either solvaset or microset so it nestles down on the surface.
Like everyone said, decal over a gloss coat so you dont see the edges. It also helps to cut the decal off the sheet as close to the design as practical, to avoid having excess clear film around the decal.
