Waterslide decals

[Locrian99]

I decided to venture into doing waterslide decals and actually painting the pedals I make.   First attempt went so so, I learned ink scape is hard when you've haven't used any graphic design stuff in the last 15 years and it was only pagemaker when you did.   But anyways.   I cut the decal quite a bit smaller than my enclosure as I didn't need it to cover it all and didn't see a reason to cut extra holes on the decal for hole I didn't need it by.    After spraying on my clear coat I can still noticeably see a ridge from the decal.   Would something like a polyeurathane work better for getting rid of the from the decal? 

Thanks

[davent]

Build up many thin mist coats and then wet sand level using a solid sanding block to support the paper. I usually use a rectangular pencil eraser or small piece of styrofoam for backing.

[Locrian99]

Build up many thin mist coats and then wet sand level using a solid sanding block to support the paper. I usually use a rectangular pencil eraser or small piece of styrofoam for backing.

Makes sense, thank you. 

[DIY Bass]

To hide a decal, you need a gloss undercoat (whether clear or coloured gloss doesn't matter, but it needs to be gloss).  Then slide on the decal and let it set.  Then gloss over the top.  You cat get solvents (I have used micro-sol and micro-set) on the actual decal to snug it down better to the surface and dissolve away any clear carrier film.  I haven't used the solvents on pedal casings, but they are magic at making carrier film vanish on scale models.  Don't see why they shouldn't work on pedals.  They would make the decal more fragile though, so would definitely need a good thick clear coat over the top or it won't last long.

[bluebunny]

If your decal covers the whole of the top of your pedal, then it's easier to hide the "step" in the curve of the enclosure's edge.  Even if it doesn't disappear completely, it's way less noticeable.

[Locrian99]

If your decal covers the whole of the top of your pedal, then it's easier to hide the "step" in the curve of the enclosure's edge.  Even if it doesn't disappear completely, it's way less noticeable.

I went this route.  Cut it a little short on the bottom though, I'll get it better next time.   Not like I'm selling it.   But pretty happy with my phase 90 clone box.  Thanks for the tip.   Wasn't sure how the decal would work with the hammered silver paint but it did. 

[DIY Bass]

I once had a full colour (although mostly blues) decal and decided to try it on a bare box that I polished up with micro mesh.  I am still surprised at how well it turned out.  The colour is not as saturated as it would be on white, but it has a sort of shimmery look to it.

[Locrian99]

I really like the look of polished aluminum enclosures.   I think I might be a bit lazy for it though. 

[DIY Bass]

Mine got mostly polished as a result of taking out a really really bad attempt at etching.  figured I'd finish it off.  Tayda do due polished aluminium boxes from memory, so yuo can have the impact without the work.

[Locrian99]

Caesar chorus (julia)..... Oops...

[MikeA]

Pretty cool Caesar, I like color on a white enclosure.  I sometimes radius the waterslide corners a little, using the enclosure corner as a template, so the inset all around works like a frame. 

[matopotato]

I really like the look of polished aluminum enclosures.   I think I might be a bit lazy for it though.

I polished up the front plus a fe mm on the sides for a Fuzzrite diy. And I roughed the rest of the sides to make it brushed. Polishing took a bit if effort with different polishes and the drill machine.
Could just about see my reflection.
Coated it but went one too many and it got dulled. Managed to get the coat off (methylated spirit), repolished and made thinner coat 2nd time but never really got there.
Good experience. Quite a bit of work. And should have found a glossier spray. (Used Montana t1000 glossy varnish)

[Locrian99]

Pretty cool Caesar, I like color on a white enclosure.  I sometimes radius the waterslide corners a little, using the enclosure corner as a template, so the inset all around works like a frame.

I put the blend knob label under the switch!   Yea I need to work on getting the corner radiuses better I wasn't too worried about it then after getting it on the enclosure I thought it would've looked a lot better with the image corners rounded.   Need to figure out how to do that in Inkscape.   I'm far from proficient in it at this point. 

[Locrian99]

I really like the look of polished aluminum enclosures.   I think I might be a bit lazy for it though.

I polished up the front plus a fe mm on the sides for a Fuzzrite diy. And I roughed the rest of the sides to make it brushed. Polishing took a bit if effort with different polishes and the drill machine.
Could just about see my reflection.
Coated it but went one too many and it got dulled. Managed to get the coat off (methylated spirit), repolished and made thinner coat 2nd time but never really got there.
Good experience. Quite a bit of work. And should have found a glossier spray. (Used Montana t1000 glossy varnish)

I'll have to try it on one my future builds.  Was thinking doing a polished one with metal stamping at some point.  Watched a few YouTube videos on the subject.  Looks like a lot goes into it.   Of course could always just grab an already polished one.   But what's the fun in that. 

[matopotato]

I really like the look of polished aluminum enclosures.   I think I might be a bit lazy for it though.

I polished up the front plus a fe mm on the sides for a Fuzzrite diy. And I roughed the rest of the sides to make it brushed. Polishing took a bit if effort with different polishes and the drill machine.
Could just about see my reflection.
Coated it but went one too many and it got dulled. Managed to get the coat off (methylated spirit), repolished and made thinner coat 2nd time but never really got there.
Good experience. Quite a bit of work. And should have found a glossier spray. (Used Montana t1000 glossy varnish)

I'll have to try it on one my future builds.  Was thinking doing a polished one with metal stamping at some point.  Watched a few YouTube videos on the subject.  Looks like a lot goes into it.   Of course could always just grab an already polished one.   But what's the fun in that.

Yeah. I remember i first sanded with various wet papers, then taped the edges and did the brushed in some kind of angled fixture box (?) Sort of helpedngettong the brushes in parallel. Once the brushed alu was nice I taped it off anf got the drilling machine with some circular pads and two polish bars and went to work. It gets kind of black but that washes off.

[bluebunny]

I thought it would've looked a lot better with the image corners rounded.   Need to figure out how to do that in Inkscape.

I used to worry about making the image the correct shape, but it's not necessary.  You simply need to trim the corners with a good pair of scissors.

[MikeA]

I thought it would've looked a lot better with the image corners rounded.   Need to figure out how to do that in Inkscape.

I used to worry about making the image the correct shape, but it's not necessary.  You simply need to trim the corners with a good pair of scissors.

Right, after you cut the waterslide to size, just flip it over and using the corner of the enclosure, mark the radius with a pencil.  Then clip it out.  I use a small pair of bonsai scissors.