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Transfer and Decal Application
Introduction
Applying transfers can be tricky and lining transfers or large
BR double arrow logos, as used from the eighties to the early
nineties, are probably about the most awkward ones to apply
due to their large size and long, thin parts. I use Fox, Frizinghall
Model Railways, Howes, PC Pressfix / HMRS, Modelmaster, SMS,
Replica Railways (rub-on and waterslide) and Woodhead transfers
regularly without too many problems.
One important tip is to always apply transfers in strong,
natural light if possible, or it is very difficult to get
items such as numbers with individual digits to line up properly
with each other and you may regret a late night’s work
the morning after. Any good specialist model railway shop
should stock transfers and they are usually available at large
model railway exhibitions, such as the Warley National one
at the Birmingham N.E.C.
Hints
The easiest surface to apply transfers to is a gloss or satin
finish, so if you use matt paint it will be more difficult,
especially when trying to get the transfers to stick. As in
the instructions for transfers, which you should always read,
the paint finish should be smooth and totally dry. Work around
the model methodically and carefully or a careless finger
might accidentally stick to an unseen transfer and remove
or damage it. You might want to add the smaller and more fiddly
transfers last to avoid damaging them when you add the larger
ones.
Rub-On Transfers
Rub-on transfers, such as some of those supplied by Replica
Railways do not require water, but they do require the same
finish and care for successful application to a model. I use
a propelling pencil with a 0.7mm lead or a ball-point pen
to rub them onto models. The pencil is good if the transfer
has to be applied in a tight corner, otherwise the pen is
usually perfectly good. Sometimes it is a good idea to cut
out the transfer from the backing to avoid any others on the
sheet sticking to the model or if the location is awkward,
but removing the transfer from the rest of the backing sheet
makes it harder to get the transfer level. Large rub-on transfers
are very difficult to apply as the backing paper tends to
move on the model before all the transfer is applied and this
can spoil the results, although you can sometimes touch them
up with paint. Small rub-on transfers such as overhead wire
warnings are very easy to apply.
Waterslide Transfers
I always use cold water for waterslide and press-fix transfers,
but some instructions suggest warm water. If you know you
are likely to have problems with a waterslide transfer, cut
it out on its backing paper and place it the right way up
on the model.
Flood with a generous amount of water beneath and on top
of the transfer until all the paper is soaked. Leave a large
transfer for a few minutes to make sure the paper will lift
off easily. You should then be able to slide the paper out
from under the transfer with relative ease. I use an old,
small and mostly worn-out paint brush to encourage transfers
off their backing and adjust their position on a model. Sometimes
a scalpel helps too. When the position is right, dab gently
with a clean tissue and hopefully the transfer will stick
to the model, not the tissue. Be especially careful with small
transfers like letters and numbers when drying them.
Press-Fix Transfers
Press-fix are probably the hardest to use as they are a variant
of waterslide transfers in that the transfers are a 'press
fix' as the name implies and they are very thin and have very
little backing film, but many of the same techniques apply.
Manufacturers include P.C. Models and Woodhead. They are printed
backwards, so you apply the transfer face down onto the model
on the upper layer only of the backing paper (cut round the
transfer through the top layer of paper only and lift off
with a sharp scalpel) and then add water.
There is a little gum on the face of transfers so that they
stick better, but this makes them harder to move if you want
to adjust their position and tends to attract dust and fluff
while they are on the paper. Having said this, P.C. and Woodhead
are excellent transfers, very finely printed and only a little
more fiddly than the usual waterslide ones. There are many
sheets for different eras of locos, carriages and wagons for
most British railway companies. A few years ago, the Historical
Model Railway Society (HMRS) started to re-issue P.C. Pressfix
transfers under their own name and added a couple of sheets
for BR wagons, but I'm not sure how many are currently available.
Finishing Off
When you have finished applying all the transfers on a model
and any water has been removed, carefully brush or spray suitable
varnish over the whole model to even out the final finish
and finally seal on the transfers. I would not recommend current
Humbrol matt spray varnish for this as they changed the formula
a year or two ago and it can attack the paint. I usually weather
models before I apply transfers as the paint thinner tends
to lift the transfers off.
JT
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