Decal application question

[doctorwayne]

My limited experience with homemade decals was unsuccessful with a dull airbrushed surface. I now spray any dull surfaces with testors glosscote, apply the decals, then dullcote, then weather, and more dullcote. I find that weathering doesn't do very well on a glossy surface.

My procedure is similar to Kevin's, although after decalling and Dullcoting, I apply the weathering and don't Dullcote again. If you're using chalks for weathering, though, a final application of Dullcote is a good idea.

For passenger cars I prefer a semi-gloss final overspray before weathering and steam locos get several varied clear finishes ranging from dead flat to a fairly high gloss (all on the same loco/tender), then weathering and no final overspray. I may make an exception for one of the two locos I'm currently painting, though, as its owner wants it heavily weathered. Still, I'm going to paint it as just out-shopped, apply the weathering and see if it actually needs to be Dullcoted for the final step.

Wayne