Decal shrinkage

[Andi]

Recently I've been using the waterslide laser printer decal stuff; I even bought myself a shiny little colour laser printer. I'm getting rather variable results though. I've done 4 pedals with it so far. Two were fine, but with the other two the decals shrunk when I lacquered them, leaving the edges (I did a black border to help with positioning) wonky.

Is there a common reason for this, and a way to avoid it? The decals were definitely dry before lacquering.

[playon]

You might try a different kind of laquer, different formulation or brand.

[Cardboard Tube Samurai]

When you say "definitely dry", are we talking at least 24 hours, possibly even left in the sun for a few hours dry? The only time I have ever had this issue is when I applied the lacquer too early. I could be wrong and it may be the type of lacquer but I'd hedge my bets that it's not dry enough

[chi_boy]

I've done about 5 full face decals and the only one that shrunk was the one I tried to bake the clear coat in my easy bake oven.  After that experience I stopped baking the clears and they have been fine since.

I usually let them dry for a few days too.

Cheers,
G

[Andi]

When you say "definitely dry", are we talking at least 24 hours, possibly even left in the sun for a few hours dry?

I think it was a couple of days indoors, which I'd have thought would be enough. I have a different lacquer to try.

[blanik]

from what i've read about refinishing (and personal experience) the first 2-3 coats have to be really thin and almost dried before applying the next coat, once those 2-3 coats dried up you can put a thick coat, it's too much of an initial thick coat that will lift the decal

[Andi]

Ah - I might have overdone it on the first coat of lacquer then.

Thanks for the advice everyone - much appreciated as always.