Post by *5 J's* on Dec 24, 2011 15:28:15 GMT -6
Each Christmas I like to give a little Christmas present on the forums. Usually it's an area that I have struggled and figured out - so in the spirit of the season I enjoy sharing.
This season I wasn't sure what I would share - but a post on another forum post gave me something.
For a waterslide you need to use think ahead about your design. Remember one thing - There is no white ink in your printer, so whatever you see as white (or any other light color such as silver,etc) will be clear - so you need to paint the car white.
Sometimes I like a full body decal. The problem is a sheet of waterslide will not readily bend around the curves of a car. You can wrap the side pretty good - and the rear - but if you have any shape to the front it can get tricky. Some considerations:
1) If you do a full body wrap there will be areas that your waterslide cannot cover - so I spray the edges with a matching color. When I put the waterslide on I use an exacto to cut little slits to get the water slide to lay the best I can - the areas that are not covered perfectly will show the color that I sprayed the edges with.
2) I make 2 - 4 copies of an image, because I will always screw one up laying it on. Cut the waterslide close to the body size. I soak in lukewarm distilled water for 60 seconds the "tag" one edge such as the rear - and pull the paper out from under the decal vice pulling the decal onto the body. Then CAREFULLY take a tissue and smooth the decal pushing any water under the decal out. Use an exacto blade or good pair of scissors to make slits in the decal to help it lay flat on the curved edges . Allow to dry for several hours (I allow to dry overnight).
3) The edges of the waterslide on curved edges will not lay perfectly. I put the first coat of clear on lightly - then after a minute of two I use the point of the exacto to push the lifted edges into the sitcky clear. Once this coat is dry I sand with a real fine sandpaper (800 or 1000) which will "clean" up the edges of the decal.
4) Next I spray another light coat of clear. Again sand with 800 or 1000 - be careful not to sand through the clear. You may even want to use 3M polishing paper at this point
5) Finally - put a thick coat of clear of the decal. Once dry - finish however you like to finish - for me it 3M papers - Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Fine Cut Cleaner - Meguiar's #09 Swirl Remover - Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Professional Show Car Glaze - Liquid Glass.
Feel free to ask questions - Merry CHRISTMAS.
Here is one of the trickier waterslide I have done:
This season I wasn't sure what I would share - but a post on another forum post gave me something.
For a waterslide you need to use think ahead about your design. Remember one thing - There is no white ink in your printer, so whatever you see as white (or any other light color such as silver,etc) will be clear - so you need to paint the car white.
Sometimes I like a full body decal. The problem is a sheet of waterslide will not readily bend around the curves of a car. You can wrap the side pretty good - and the rear - but if you have any shape to the front it can get tricky. Some considerations:
1) If you do a full body wrap there will be areas that your waterslide cannot cover - so I spray the edges with a matching color. When I put the waterslide on I use an exacto to cut little slits to get the water slide to lay the best I can - the areas that are not covered perfectly will show the color that I sprayed the edges with.
2) I make 2 - 4 copies of an image, because I will always screw one up laying it on. Cut the waterslide close to the body size. I soak in lukewarm distilled water for 60 seconds the "tag" one edge such as the rear - and pull the paper out from under the decal vice pulling the decal onto the body. Then CAREFULLY take a tissue and smooth the decal pushing any water under the decal out. Use an exacto blade or good pair of scissors to make slits in the decal to help it lay flat on the curved edges . Allow to dry for several hours (I allow to dry overnight).
3) The edges of the waterslide on curved edges will not lay perfectly. I put the first coat of clear on lightly - then after a minute of two I use the point of the exacto to push the lifted edges into the sitcky clear. Once this coat is dry I sand with a real fine sandpaper (800 or 1000) which will "clean" up the edges of the decal.
4) Next I spray another light coat of clear. Again sand with 800 or 1000 - be careful not to sand through the clear. You may even want to use 3M polishing paper at this point
5) Finally - put a thick coat of clear of the decal. Once dry - finish however you like to finish - for me it 3M papers - Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Fine Cut Cleaner - Meguiar's #09 Swirl Remover - Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Professional Show Car Glaze - Liquid Glass.
Feel free to ask questions - Merry CHRISTMAS.
Here is one of the trickier waterslide I have done:
