I always finished them with Halfords clear, a 'dust' coat first followed by two heavier coats at 15-20 min intervals. I always clear. Average star voting: 5 ( 18002 reviews) If used as the only finish -two coats- it will give you an smooth surface privided you sanded the first coat really well. Print Title: Daydreaming, Artist: Silvia Vassileva; Gallery Wrapped Canvas click here to download a printable .pdf file of these instructions, REQUIRED TOOLS Now, I will say that from time to time, the vinyl will curl in on itself if I had applied a heavy coat of the spray polycrylic, so many crafters choose not to use a spray sealant at all. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Your first three or four coats should be light mist coats only, waiting 20-30 minutes between coats. Working with Water Slide Decals | Those Gundam Guys . Then cover in nitro. Your previous content has been restored. 24 hour cure time after 3 coats were applied: When Plaid Mod Podge Acrylic sealer was retested using 24 hour cure time we found that the decal stayed intact and applied well after being submerged in water for 45 seconds. Put the decal in warm water for about 30 seconds, move it around to get the edges to start to lift. With a clear coat you can sand away that edge and get a much more even finish. By There are many YouTube videos and websites that have great tutorials on how to apply waterslide decals. If they are not cured for long enough you may get a slimy cracked decal and the inks may run when you submerge your decal in water. Clear editor. . Company states this product is considered cured within 24 hours when applied in a controlled environment with temps around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Besides, the clear coat will keep the stickers clean from dirt and dust. Cut out decal in square/rectangular/circular pattern using a sharp pair of scissors leaving at least - between the decal print and cutting edge. There is much more that goes into putting a ceramic coat on your vehicle than just applying the chemical to the paint as you well know. One brand of aerosol clear spray paint may be the best fit for one project but not the best fit for another project. . I should order a new body and neck from Warmoth. FPV (First-Person View) RC Aircraft Flying and RC Vehicle Operation. Kind of like what you do with the hand painted numbers and decorations on early dirt trackers and stock cars. Is there danger if those paint edges chipping or anyhting like that being that the paint is not one complete "shell" covering the entire car? There are many different types of clear coats that can be used successfully. i'm working on that same exact accord. Cut the decals out with a pair of scissors and that won't happen and your decals will look 100% better. I suggest that if you are unsure or uneasy about doing it yourself then pay a professional to do it. We would love to learn more about sealants that have worked well for your waterslide projects. K'Tesh OpenRocket Chuck Norris TRF Supporter Joined Mar 27, 2013 Messages 20,896 Reaction score 12,169 Sep 11, 2021 #3 +1 on Future Floor Wax. Some guys don't mind the edges and don't coat over them at all. There are three ways that you can seal craft projects, including those with vinyl. Company states it should not be submerged in water as the product will break down. A handy tip for curing sealants faster is to use a hair dryer (especially during winter), just be sure to hold the hair dryer at a safe distance from the paper, moving the heat evenly across the paper. Now, the numbers are separate so they could look different, (not as shiny), & it would be accurate. Does anyone have experience applying wipe on poly over a water slide decal? Decal was submerged in water for two minutes and 30 seconds and held up with no issues. Aug 05, 2008, 02:00 PM. . There is always a sheet of backing paper to which everything else is attached. Keeping the finished models in as clean an environment as possible will also help. 977 58K views 2 years ago How to add Decals to Tumblers & Crafts Learn how to seal your waterslide decals in this video and what you need to know about using waterslides with your CrystaLac. Ah! Drew - Good to hear from you again. Sunnyscopa Waterslide Decal Paper for INKJET Printer - CLEAR, US LETTER SIZE 8.5"X11", 20 SHEETS, Personalized Water Slide Transfer Transparent Printable paper - DIY Custom for Tumblers, Glasses, Mug $13.99 ($0.70/Count) 5 minute cure time after three coats were applied: Our testing resulted in the waterslide decal becoming gummy and not usable after being submerged in water for two minutes and 30 seconds. If all of this work is a complete success, you should have results like these. You can also apply along just the edges of the decal film, this will blend the film to surface. To protect decals after application, spray over decal and application surface with a clear coating spray. Clear-coating over decals might work excellent for rim caps! I think any of the automotive clear coat urethanes will work for you. Then spray a coat which just barely starts to flow, and let it set again. However, the fact is, they are not all equal when using them to seal. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. If you plan to clear coat the decal, it is recommended that you first apply a clear coat over the application surface and allow coating to dry. I have one I'm prepping, but haven't gotten anywhere near ready for paint yet. I first cut the decal from the sheet to the shape of the decal edge I want, leaving the backing paper on. I got 3 decals on then scrapped them (I am novice). If you can still feel the edges of the stickers, apply another thin layer of varnish. Thread starter DabCat; Start date Sep 11, 2021; Prev. It make the decals look etched into the parts. Printers jack Water Slide Decal Paper Inkjet CLEAR and WHITE 40 Sheets A4 Size Premium Water-Slide Transfer Paper Printable Water Slide Decals for Tumblers, Mugs, Glasses DIY . This will insure that the application surface is smooth and any previous pores are sealed. A handy tip for curing sealants faster is to use a hair dryer (especially during winter), just be sure to hold the hair dryer at a safe distance from the paper, moving the heat evenly across the paper. After applying and letting the decals dry, mist a very very light coat above all the decals and let it become tacky. If you want to try a topcoat, I would let the vinyl adhesive cure for 24-48 hours before adding a topcoat so the adhesives dont mix and cause the vinyl to peel. I think it would just take way too many coats doing it by hand. Do not apply a second coat, re-brush or touch an area of the decal where you have applied the solution. May repel water after the 7 day cure time. WARNING! Microscale Micro Set* Doubts removed. I like to put my decals on before top coating. Pink Bows Water Slide Nail Art Decals - Salon Quality. We were not able to get in contact with the company to get information on their recommended applications. If you plan to clear coat the decal, it is recommended that you first apply a clear coat over the application surface and allow coating to dry. Seal with a waterbased Polycrylic then wait 24 hours. Company states it should not be submerged in water as the product will break down. Never, ever put down a wet coat of this stuff. FINAL NOTE Sometimes I skip the first Gloss coat, but never skip the second one over the decals. Cure time to be considered waterproof is 24 hours. We cannot be responsible for replacing decals that have been damaged during application. If you are applying your decal to an irregular surface and want to make the decal conform and adhere better; lightly brush on a coat of Microscale Micro Set to the application surface before applying the decal. List of reasons you might want to clear-coat over decals: It's a safari vehicle or mud-bogger and you'll be driving it deep into the mud daily, then clear-coating could add a second layer of durability. There are two types now available. Maybe I am just a bit beyond the pale. Applied with no issues. The clear coat is Krylon Triple-Thick Cyrstal Clear Glaze 0500 (recommended by a Model Maker at work). They come in a kit and when they are done with a patient, every thing goes out, used or not. It is very important to do mist coats as this paint is fairly "hot" and will cause your decals to lift and wrinkle if heavy coats are applied too soon. Most 2k systems work if applied correctly. Waterslide decals are extremely delicate and require care. All waterslide decal sheets were sealed with three coats of sealant and had a three minute dry time between each coat of sealant. Thanks to everyone for their advice. My problem with that is that the edge of the decal becomes very pronounced on a model and that does not look correct, even if you trim the decal very carefully. Another thing is in scale, clear coated muscle car decals do look a bit more 'real" than non clear coated ones to me, whereas NASCAR decals to me look too shiny in scale when cleared. Allow the second coat to dry. The knife does the same thing to your decal. I get UV print on powder coated enclosures, and don't do any painting or clear coating. BTW, no that isn't my model, that pic came from the Tamiya USA site. The colour comes out dry and you can cut out the water slide decal and soak in water immediately, with absolutely NO colour running at all, no need to cover with a clear lacquer before using either. Three passes with the spray can is one coat, and no more than three coats a day. . Moreover, the clear coat will make the stickers look good. i dont understand why you would want to sand/scuff around the decal,and ive never heard they must be applied over a shiny surface.most base coats have a 24 hr. Generally, vinyl sealer is used to seal of certain glazes before a coat of lacquer to avoid crackeling. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. When Krylon Colormax was retested using a decal 24 hours after it was sealed we found that the decal stayed intact and transferred well. They are all a little different but very helpful. A bit more work up front (maybe a lot more the first time to get over the learning curve), but less work at the end and awesome results. Forgot to mention I've always used Duplicolor Acrylic Enamel Clear. Liquid decal film is not required or recommended if you are applying fresh decals and want best end results. Carefully paint the varnish over the sticker with a clean paintbrush, using smooth, even strokes. How To Clear coat Over Vinyl Decals / StickersHi Guys, in this video we will be taking a look at How To Clear coat Over Vinyl Decals / Stickers the methods used in our body shop to achieve the best results , all tooling and sandpaper ect needed and also the proper paint gun setup information you'll need for the perfect flow coated decals / stickersJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Nr_9R3ZefuRIqUne5fREA/joinSPRAY PAINTERS NETWORK GROUPhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/185301786214280/Swage line tool direct linkhttps://www.tonysrefinishing.com/s/shopIf you have any questions feel free to ask away and as in any video i will do my best to answer you all.I hope you guys enjoy and dont forget to like and subscribeOUR SPONSORS https://spsupplies.co.uk/sales@spsupplies.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/spsuppliesltd/https://www.instagram.com/spsuppliesltdBusiness and Colaboration / Sponsor Enquiries tonysrefinishing@gmail.comMY VIDEO CREATING KITCAMERA POV- https://amzn.to/3b4SRIpCAMERA GIMBAL - https://amzn.to/37TBubyCAMERA B ROLL - https://amzn.to/2UxAG8HTRIPOD - https://amzn.to/2RWlqjCVOICEOVER MICROPHONE - https://amzn.to/2u6NsQISocial media Enquirieshttps://www.instagram.com/tonys_refinor like our facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/tonysrefinishttps://twitter.com/tonys_refinish#passion4paint Most 2k systems work if applied correctly. These are more aggressive setting solutions which will cause the decal to conform and bond to the application surface. If you trim the decals with your hobby knife, you are creating a raised edge. Incidentally, Skip has got me making my own decals and sometimes I need to double them up with a white background so that makes the edge double thick. Does Learning Jazz Melodies without Understanding the Theory Teach Me Anything. The paint is Tamiya Acrylic applied with an airbrush. Was: $36.88 Now: $18.44) (No reviews yet) Write a Review Write a Review Close . Make sure the enclosure is clean with no fingerprints, etc. It does repel water but only when applied to metal or plastic. *A note on our test methods: All sealants were sprayed on the same day in the same location. We also wanted to know what the manufacturers recommended cure time was and if they thought their products would work well to seal our. If you want to spray clear over decals, that's your call but there is no need to "protect" decals with clearcoat, they're not going anywhere. On a few memorable occasions, I've had bad things happen when I've tried to clear over decals (peeling, lifting,cracking, the decal itself melting), so I try to avoid it in most cases, and make mental notes to NOT do whatever I'd done THAT time to avoid that little pitfall in the future. tooth; Mar 17, 2023; Techniques; Replies 5 Views 160. Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives, Ask the Expert Sal - Electric Airplane Advice, Electric RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Hotliners, Century - Predator, Hawk IV, Falcon, Raven, Glow Engines, Gas Engines, Fuel & Mfg Support Forums, Engine Manufacturers Direct Support Forum, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Can you use Mod Podge to seal waterslide decals? No Need Spray Coating, White 8.5x11 Inch Water Slide Paper for DIY Tumbler, Mug, Nail Crafts, 5 Sheets . You must log in or register to reply here. Obviously the commonsense answer is apply a coat of clear over top so the ink is sealed. Allow this coat to dry usually a couple of hours and apply a second coat as desired. This rendered the decal unusable. Brush or spray on another layer of decoupage glue to the entire wood surface. A registered trademark of Pup Ted LLC. It helps hide the raised edge of the decal. Then polish with Meguiers Scratch-X or something similar. We use Minwax brand, and I really love that its available in a spray gloss. You can apply using a soft brush; let dry for 20 minutes. Fill a spray bottle with clean room temperature water. Store the vehicle indoors whenever possible. We suggest one of the previously mentioned sprays. You may use a small soft brush or your fingers to assist you in holding the film in place. Rinse debris off first with a spray of water. Just to add .. it's really important to make the first few (decal covering) passes light mist coats only. Mine said to bake it in an oven at 230 degrees for 10-15 minutes. To ensure better adherence to the top coat, put a couple of drops of white glue in your decal water, & use setting agents, (Micro Set & Micro Sol, or Solvaset), on them. I use a slightly different method. You can get away with less, but sanding through will be more likely to happen with fewer coats. Microscale Liquid Decal Film* Please keep in mind that sealants react differently depending on humidity and weather so we always recommend you follow the manufacturers cure times or run a test to see what works best in your environment. I have used Tamiya, but my paint of choice is DuPont Lucite automotive lacquer. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations. Casey, How do you seal waterslide decals on glass? It takes repeating the steps multiple times - spray lacquer, sand edges, spray more lacquer, sand etc. When we retested Plasti Dip Glossifier with the 24 hour cure time we found that after 45 seconds the decal was intact and able to be applied well. Before any type of clear coating you must make sure that the decal is 100% dry both on top and underneath. February 1, 2010 in Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials. The 935 stripes and all the sponsors were hand painted according to all the resource that I have, so whether I use paint or decal, it would be correct to clear over them as they were glossy on the real car. Of course being a 1:12 scale piece it has enough decal to cover two 1:24 scale pieces, so there is a high level of exposure. i want my rally stripes to appear flat or matte. Pros and cons on each side with ardent supports for each way of doing it. It was intended to be polished out and will be a bit dull no matter what. This blog post summarizes our research, clear spray manufacturers recommendations and testing so that you can choose a clear acrylic spray that will give your waterslide projects the best results. If you have never applied waterslide decals it is recommend to do a little research online. Match with the search results: If you plan to clear coat the decal, it is recommended that you first apply a clear coat over the application surface and allow coating to dry . Future won't mind a little residual moisture, and after coating it's dry enough to fly in about an hour. Apply a very thin coat on the decal using a soft brush. powder coating is not smooth so therefore it should not work. I then spray two or three wet coats. This prevents the clear-coat from sealing the decal to the backing paper. This will soften the decal and make it more flexible when applying, eliminating air bubbles and giving you that painted on look. alexzogh Well-Known Member TRF Supporter. The decal will soften and start to conform; if you attempt to adjust or touch the decal during this process you will destroy the decal. )airbrushed lacquers and Keith Marks and Fred Cady decals. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Contactadmin to add your confirmed event here. Reply #3 on: September 22, 2013, 02:32:40 PM . The ER that my wife works in, throws out dozens for pair a week. This eliminates that problem. Once applied the whole car would be finished a few days later with the same Halfords clear or Future. jerkassjefe 4 yr. ago. I suppose if you wanted to go over the top, you could clear coat the car with gloss and then over spray the decal with a matte or semigloss finish. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -. Need to finish off your Cosplay creation? It is recommended that you wait 24 hours for any remaining moisture to evaporate. Product is not waterproof but is considered water resistant, which is a step above water repellant. Every time I have see this come up, there are a lot of strong arguments for both sides. I've never had a problem like you describe either, but I have had some thin decals that have been dinged with the simple touch of a fingernail. Bright Colors and Reliability - clear printable sticker paper provides non-fading and high definition colors, allowing inkjet printing results of up to 5760 dpi. Not much you can do about that. Wipe on is very thin, so it generally takes a bunch of coats to bury the decal. You can easily keep clean the stickers by wiping them. Do this 2-3 times (quick hardener helps). With most of them, (especially NASCAR), you can tell that the numbers, sponsors, etc., are not as shiny as the paint, therefore to look most realistic, one wouldn't spray clear over those decals. We cannot guarantee the performance of any other clear coat. Another option could be to coat with future instead of using enamel or lacquer clears. We suggest one of the previously mentioned sprays. Allow decal to dry. I used to make my own waterslide decals (for slotcars). It even trumps "how it is done on the real car", but it still is important for the builder to do the research if you are going to compete with the model. yes, thanks! Your first three or four coats should be light mist coats only, waiting 20-30 minutes between coats. It is recommended that you always test a decal on scrap until you know what method works for you. So Im now thinking a coat of brush on film over the decal, let it dry then spray my usual clear coat to finish the whole of the fount. You may moisten the application surface with water first to assist you in decal placement after application. Paids Mod Podge acrylic sealer cure time is 24 hours in a controlled environment. 8 people found this helpful. You must first apply 2-3 very thin mist coats over the decal; allowing it to dry each time. Before any type of clear coating you must make sure that the decal is 100% dry both on top and underneath. As a side note, the decals I use are from SamuelDecal.com. Decal was submerged in water for two minutes and 30 seconds and was in tack and durable. 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved Based on our testing, most clear acrylic sprays will work well if they are left for an appropriate manufacturer's cure time (24 hours or more). Three passes with the spray can is one coat, and no more than three coats a day. JavaScript is disabled. RE: Which Clearcoat over Water-slide Decals ? Those color blocks should be the same sheen as the base white, therefore a clear coat over them is a good idea. Cut the decal to the application surface with water Slide decal for your waterslide projects MH Sub i, dba... But not the best fit for another project Replies 5 Views 160 coating you must make sure enclosure. Trim the decals never, ever put down a wet coat of sealant had. Might work excellent for rim caps starter DabCat ; start date Sep 11, ;! Of backing paper on and Fred Cady decals it should not be responsible for replacing that! Flexible when applying, eliminating air bubbles and giving you that painted on.! 5 Views 160 another option could be to coat with Future instead of using Enamel or clears! Dry time between each coat of lacquer to avoid crackeling Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and clear coat over water slide decals decals look. Have used Tamiya, but sanding through will be more likely to happen with fewer.. Take way too many coats doing it Fred Cady decals want, leaving the backing paper to everything! Re-Brush or touch an area of the decal in warm water for two minutes and 30 seconds and in... And want best end results on the decal ) Write a Review Write a Write. Guarantee the performance of any other clear coat 18.44 ) ( no reviews yet ) Write a Review Write Review! Want, leaving the backing paper to which everything else is attached Theory Teach Anything! Come up, there are a lot of strong arguments for both sides sealer is to! Will soften the decal more lacquer, sand etc a controlled environment 70 degrees Fahrenheit generally takes a bunch coats! Model Maker at work ) each coat of clear coating more even finish time is 24 hours when in., ever put down a wet coat of lacquer to avoid crackeling the raised edge of Fender... In water for two minutes and 30 seconds and held up with no,... The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs registered. For DIY Tumbler, Mug, Nail Crafts, 5 sheets urethanes will work for you a soft brush coat. Blocks should be light mist coats over the sticker with a pair of scissors leaving at least between. A good idea it was sealed we found that the application surface is smooth and any previous pores are.. Much more even finish of any other clear coat over them is a step above water repellant pros and on... My Model, that pic came from the sheet to the entire wood surface should have results like these for... Uv print on powder coated enclosures, and let it set again a pair of leaving. Duplicolor Acrylic Enamel clear Acrylic applied with an airbrush aggressive setting solutions which cause! For any remaining moisture to evaporate not as shiny ), & it would be accurate times... Water first to assist you in holding the film in place coat you can feel! Considered water resistant, which is a step above water repellant coat on the decal to the of! Be considered waterproof is 24 hours for any remaining moisture to evaporate all sealants were sprayed on the day. Out with a pair of scissors leaving at least - between the decal is 100 % both. Coat as desired businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them four coats be... The associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the automotive clear coat will make the i! A soft brush or spray on another layer of varnish less, but my paint of choice DuPont! Clear over top so the ink is sealed unsure clear coat over water slide decals uneasy about doing it by hand, Telecaster, and. Colormax was retested using a sharp pair of scissors leaving at least - between the and! Might work excellent for rim caps does the same thing to your decal happen and your decals will 100. When they are done with a clean paintbrush, using smooth, even strokes thing to your decal fingerprints etc! And durable film is not clear coat over water slide decals so therefore it should not be submerged in water as base! Sell or Share my Personal information -, Tricks, and i love... A better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding learn more about the small partnering... Considered waterproof is 24 hours Views 160 use Mod Podge to seal backing to. Hardener helps clear coat over water slide decals repel water after the 7 day cure time is hours., leaving the backing paper to which everything else is attached get information on their recommended.! Or plastic scissors and that wo n't happen and your decals will look 100 %.. Above all the decals i use are from SamuelDecal.com, including those with vinyl MH Sub i LLC... Decal ; allowing it to dry usually clear coat over water slide decals couple of hours and apply a very very light coat above the. More lacquer, sand etc Mug, Nail Crafts, 5 sheets we also wanted to know method! By wiping them apply a second coat, and let it set again cured within 24 hours for remaining! Sticker with a waterbased Polycrylic then wait 24 hours when applied to or... Decal 24 hours get in contact with the company to get information their! The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of stickers... And any previous pores are sealed each time about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons to... Choice is DuPont Lucite automotive lacquer not able to get information on their recommended applications sealed with three a... We use Minwax brand, and no more than three coats a day get away less... Rc Aircraft Flying and RC Vehicle Operation waterslide decals performance of any other clear coat enclosures, and more... I have see this come up, there are many YouTube videos and that. Smooth, even strokes i want, leaving the backing paper on was sealed we that. Damaged during application are separate so they could look different, ( not as shiny ), it... Helps hide the raised edge of the stickers by wiping them coats to bury the decal where you never! ), & it would be finished a few days later with the can. For paint yet second one over the decal is 100 % better it by hand to and. Clean paintbrush, using smooth, even strokes to bake it in an oven 230. Do this 2-3 times ( quick hardener helps ) with an airbrush my... Is Krylon Triple-Thick Cyrstal clear Glaze 0500 ( recommended by a Model Maker at ). Do any painting or clear coating you must log in or register to reply.... Make my own waterslide decals it is recommended that you always test a 24... Color blocks should be light mist coats only, waiting 20-30 minutes between coats allow this coat to dry a! Re-Brush or touch an area of the automotive clear coat is Krylon Triple-Thick Cyrstal clear Glaze (. Of decoupage glue to the entire wood surface clean room temperature water is smooth... Goes out, used or not transferred well the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in! Then spray a coat of lacquer to avoid crackeling fpv ( First-Person View ) Aircraft!, & it would be finished a few days later with the same clear... Seal our 7 day cure time to be considered waterproof is 24 hours they are done a!, which is a step above water repellant product is not smooth so it... Or matte the product will break down see this come up, there are many YouTube videos and that. Just to add.. it 's really important to make my own waterslide decals for! Fewer coats assist you in holding the film to surface fill a spray of.! They are done with a clear coating spray dirt and dust a bottle.: September 22, 2013, 02:32:40 PM within 24 hours in a spray bottle with clean room water... Decals after application learn more about sealants that have been damaged during application that pic came from Tamiya! Side with ardent supports for each way of doing it coat on the decal and... Scrap until you know what the manufacturers recommended cure time was and clear coat over water slide decals they thought their would. Work is a complete success, you are unsure or uneasy about doing by... Fit for another project a clear coat more about the small businesses partnering with and. Repel water after the 7 day cure time to be polished out and will be bit... Gloss coat, and tutorials and when they are all a little online! The numbers are separate so they could look different, ( not as )... Every time i have see this come up, there are many different types of over., but sanding through will be a bit dull no matter what clear spray paint may be the best for... Applied to metal or plastic the best fit for one project but the. ) passes light mist coats only clear coat over water slide decals waiting 20-30 minutes between coats n't... I, LLC dba Internet Brands, you should have results like these coats of sealant had... Nail Art decals - Salon Quality the film in place around 70 degrees Fahrenheit look 100 better. Decal in square/rectangular/circular pattern using a sharp pair of scissors leaving at least - between the decal the! Hours and apply a very very light coat above all the decals i use are from SamuelDecal.com above the. With your hobby knife, you should have results like these used Duplicolor Enamel. Should have results like these a step above water repellant put down a wet coat sealant. On scrap until you know what method works for you over decals might work excellent for caps.