Decal smoothing help?

[Zephaniah Adriyen]

I'm trying to apply decals to Kazem's Retinue of the Wayward Sons. I'm using Thousand Sons decals and squad markings off of the Space Marine Transfer Sheet (currently testing with Tactical arrows). On my test model, the Thousand Sons emblem went on fine. However, I've tried like three times with the arrow, and it won't smooth. Solutions?

[NiceGuyAdi]

I’d make sure you’re cutting the decal as close as you can to what you want to use. Excess decal on pauldrons makes for wrinkly-sticky-uppy headaches.

 

Micro sol and micro set are your friends, too, if you’re not using them, yet. Use the blue one to apply it, and the red one sparingly to flatten in in place.

[old git]

A bit of a process but if you're serious about getting them to look decent then it's worth it;

 

Apply 2 coats of gloss varnish to the area where the decal is going to be

Trim the decal as close to the design as possible

Apply the decal and brush on some micro sol

When dry, apply a coat of matt varnish

[Rik Lightstar]

MicroSol and MicroSet are what you're looking for here, ideally with some gloss varnish before you apply the transfer.

 

It's cheap for the pair and will solve your problems.

 

Rik

[Tichinde]

+1 for micro sol and micro set, even without the varnish steps they are a godsend for putting transfers on marine shoulder pads (or any curved surface) once you get the hang of them. don;t know how I did without them....