Varnish transfers?

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25 February 2021 at 16:41 #93938
Terry Chapman 2
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@terrychapman2
Hi,Im building a 40 yr old 3/4" Engine and supplied is a set of transfers (decals) That have to be applied with varnish. Has anyone had experience with these please? What varnish should be used etc?

Thanks
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25 February 2021 at 16:41 #4723
Terry Chapman 2
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@terrychapman2
25 February 2021 at 17:44 #93941
ashley needham
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@ashleyneedham69188
Hi Terry. Does it mean that the transfers are stuck on using varnish, or they are varnished afterwards??

Personally I have not heard of `varnish` transfers…transfers to me means soaking the thing in water to hydrate the glue which is underneath the transfer to stick it on . Obviously something can be physically stuck to something else using varnish as a glue….but?

Ashley
25 February 2021 at 18:36 #93942
Richard Simpson
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@richardsimpson88330
From what I remember even Airfix and Frog kits of around 40 years ago used water slide transfers. I suspect the varnish instruction is to ensure that they remain in place and have a glossed finish to match the surrounding surface. The only way to obtain a perfect finish, and even then you will possibly still see the edge in the right light, is to give the entire part a coat with varnish.

You don’t make it clear whether this is a working steam engine or a plastic kit, which might determine the type of varnish you use. For a working engine something really resilient such as a two part varnish might be best but for a simple plastic kit most enamel or acrylic varnishes would do. Just take care to use a compatible varnish with any paint that you might have applied first. A good old acrylic rattle can works well with a simple plastic kit finish.
26 February 2021 at 09:42 #93947
Malcolm Frary
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@malcolmfrary95515
In my railway model days some 40+ years ago, there was a type of decal that involved alcohol. Stretching memory, "Methfix". Checking memory with the help of google, they still exist, but it appears that today they come with instructions, which would have been nice back then.

Waterslide transfers consist of a layer of strongish paint or similar on a layer of water soluble glue on a paper backing. Applying requires that the glue be wetted and the transfer slid off onto its destination. Since the glue remains soluble, protection is needed, usually some variety of varnish to match the paint already there.
26 February 2021 at 11:59 #93949
Terry Chapman 2
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@terrychapman2
Posted by Richard Simpson on 25/02/2021 18:36:27:

From what I remember even Airfix and Frog kits of around 40 years ago used water slide transfers. I suspect the varnish instruction is to ensure that they remain in place and have a glossed finish to match the surrounding surface. The only way to obtain a perfect finish, and even then you will possibly still see the edge in the right light, is to give the entire part a coat with varnish.

You don’t make it clear whether this is a working steam engine or a plastic kit, which might determine the type of varnish you use. For a working engine something really resilient such as a two part varnish might be best but for a simple plastic kit most enamel or acrylic varnishes would do. Just take care to use a compatible varnish with any paint that you might have applied first. A good old acrylic rattle can works well with a simple plastic kit finish.

Its a working engine. I think Ill treat them the same as I do normally when applying decals then a coat of varnish
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