Decaling Plated Car Bodies

I woud say yes, a good clear gloss laquer would be a good idea. Only caution I have is to test on the carbody first or like plated surface to make sure it doesn't yellow too much for your tastes after application and drying, another indicator is how much of a yellow tint it has in the bottle beforehand. I note this varies between "hobby" and "automotive" grades as well it's age.

Pete 

If I were doing it, I would swab some Future Floor Wax on first, and another coat after.

I must concur with, bob2. The best part Bob didn't tell. It lasts only as long as you would like. Easy removal without causing harm to cars finish.

Is Future affected by decal setting solution like MicroSol? Can it be oversprayed with a satin finish laquer without affecting the Future?

Ken

No.  Yes. 

Let us know how it works out Ken, btw what carbodies are you doing that have been plated?

I'll experiment with the Future Floor Wax and post how it turns out. I'm working on two Sunset/3rd Rail RDC's and a couple of Pecos River passenger cars. My present problem is with the RDC's. I'm using a mixture of Microscale, Champ, and custom laser decals and none of them want to stick completely. Back in my HO days I decaled a few nickel plated cars and didn't have any problem. Of course those decals were much smaller.

Ken

I have shifted away from Future, which I used to use extensively, in favor of Testors Clear Gloss Enamel. Not the usual GlossCote, which is lacquer based.  It comes in a spray can same as all the others. The advantages of enamel are that it is very easy to apply a smooth high gloss finish (2-3 mist coats, followed with one "wet" coat), and that it is impervious to decal setting solutions, even Walther's Solvaset.  It is also impervious to Dullcote.

It is also slightly resilient to scratching. So you can drag the edge of a #11 blade in a criss-cross pattern over the dried decal, and then liberally apply Solvaset to facilitate getting rid of any air bubbles. The only drawback is you need to wait at least 24 hours for it to harden completely. But it is virtually impossible to see the edge of the decals or any air bubbles.

Judge for yourself:

John,

I wasn't aware Testors made a clear gloss enamel. Glosscoat and Dullcoat are laquers. Is this a new product? Are you using a rattle can or an airbrush?

Ken

Ken

sorry, should have given more details, they are now in my post.  I don't know how long clear enamel has been around. It is readily available, but maybe not from your local hobby shop. I get mine by mail order.  Same rattle cans as Dullcote and Gloss cote.