Protecting stickers?

[Hanyoutai]

So, over the years I've bought a few lots containing dozens of sticker sheets, and I'd like to apply a few to my zoids. However, I recall Zoid sticker sheets being rather awful to deal with, even when new. Does anyone have any advice for keeping them from peeling, and protecting them long term?

[Maiasa Liger]

If you want to protect them long term, I'd personally clear coat the parts (with the stickers applied) in either gloss, satin or clear. You could also try decal setting solutions, maybe they work for stickers? I've never tried though

[Maethius]

Testor's Dulcote lacquer. Make sure you have the bubbles out and press them tightly into any panel lines they may cross. Before I apply any labels I use an x-acto knife to trim them as close as possible first, then apply the clear coat. That should hold them until they are found in our ruins by a spacefaring alien race.

[Hanyoutai]

Thanks for both tips! Out of those clear coating options, which do you suppose is closest to the finish of the motorized kits? I'm not big on gloss finishes since they tend to look more toy-ish. I'll do my best to trim them, too. Always something I had trouble with but never too late to learn, and I've got plenty to spare I suppose.

EDIT: Also, for the Testor's, should I apply to the entire kit, or could I get away with just applying to the decals? (Living out in the country is a constant battle against bugs and dust when it comes to painting.)

[Maethius]

I tend toward matte finishes, though you can use high gloss for making joints stiffer or for protecting canopies to make them look more like glass. For the best coverage you do have to apply the coating to the whole model... just no way to avoid it. If dust/bugs is a real issue, you may have to move toward a spray-booth (even going to the thrift store for sheets and the like to make a box to spray in). Mind you, I have a ventilated shop with a dual-fan ventilated down-draft spray booth and I wear a filter mask when I work. No model is worth your health!

[Maiasa Liger]

Oct 15, 2018 13:14:32 GMT -5 Maethius said:

Mind you, I have a ventilated shop with a dual-fan ventilated down-draft spray booth and I wear a filter mask when I work. No model is worth your health!

Meanwhile, I spray in the stairwell of my apartment building with no mask or anything 😂👌 Student years are poor years yo

[Maethius]

Just hold your breath. A LOT. And wrap a wet t-shirt around your face... it is a better filter than nothing!

[Hanyoutai]

Interesting note about using gloss for joints! I'll keep that in mind. Especially as one of the kits I'll be adding stickers to (hopefully) will be a spare HMM Saber SS. Making a home made spray booth wouldn't be too hard. We do have a greenhouse I could probably reuse, which might be ok as long as I kept my mouth covered, and the doors open? (it's outside)

Really appreciate all the tips so far. Its been so many years since I've added stickers to anything. Really looking to add those small details to some Zoids, though. Especially ones I've got several of, like Command Wolves.

A part of me is amazed you can even spray in the stairwell! Unless it's ninja zoiding in the dark corners of society. I live out in the woods by some cottonwood trees and nothing makes that forehead vein pop more than getting a perfect spray, then having a giant cottonball smack right into the paint! Or a random bug that's unnaturally attracted to the sticky surface. Looking to get into trying some spray paints too, though, so gonna have to find a solution.

[Maiasa Liger]

Thanks for bringing up the joint issue; I'll be adding a section concerning that to the Zoids Lab thread; and might add Maethius' sticker advice as well~

And LOL well our stairwell is pretty big and not the newest, plus we're the only apartment on our floor.... and as long as I don't leave like, black traces on anything or get caught by the landlord, no one's ever gonna find out :'D I used to spray in the parking lot behind our building but the temps have dropped too low, and living in the city + trees around always left dust and dirt on the coats (especially white, ugh). So I can kind of relate to your issue of spraying outside in nature ;7;'

For the spray paints, I'm sure Sir Phobos and many other people could give you advice on the discord r/Zoids server!... Wait I don't remember if you're on there already or not xD; I personally highly recommend Tamiya spray paints, but they're on the more expensive side. Testors, Montana Gold and Rustoleum are also popular choices (but I don't live in US nor have those brands so can't really tell from experience).