Cab. prep. for decals problem

[Pajo]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Sorry but I saw your posting too late Bret.  I went down the chemical route to solve the problem.  I did try sanding with a grit as low as 60 but it just made a worse mess.  In the end I tried the following (test patches)

Oomph glue solvent - very slow and not very effective
gum turpentine - no effect
shellac - little effect
metholated spririts - some effect but slow
white spirit - little effect
paint thinners - messy but softened glue quickly

so I settled on using thinners and a paint scraper as well as grade OO wire wool.  The end result looks very good and the wood now sands normally.

I'll be washing the cab down with sugar soap, then sanding and will wait a week before sealing with a water based floor varnish.  Hopefully the decals will stay on ok!

[Retropin]

They will mate.. you just have to give the cabinet time to "breath out".

All purpose thinners eh?? - well it does remove absolutely everything!

[elkor-alish]

the one we use is BLUE  from there ,  and yes buy in bulks is cheaper  , we are starting another Addams this week and will take pictures and do a section on here ??  or our new machine web site  ( is up on the net and getting pins pictures loaded this week )

mark

That'd be cool Mark.
Be good to see a start to finish re-decal job.

[beaky]

i noticed that you mention you were going to use a water based floor varnish, as far as i was aware anything water base on ply wood is a big no no, I might be wrong but when i used water based paint on a ply wood once before it swelled up and was all bumpy. just check with the guys here and also with a reputable paint supplier

[Pajo]

Thanks for the advice Beaky, I'm going to switch plans and go with an oil based sealer. 

Does anyone have a favourite product they use for sealing prior to putting their decals on?

I looked at the spray putty and will give it a go on the back timber that will get painted black. 

Do people who use spray putty use anything to seal it before applying decals or do they decal straight onto the putty once it has been sanded?

[MartyJ]

For me, depends on what the customer wants..

For my own games, I strip decals, sand (hand & belt) - as MarkC suggested.

Once back to bare wood, I rub some prepsol on it to clean - but also helps show small dings etc.  Clean with dry rag.

Fill spots with builders bog, once set hand sand (with float) til silky smooth!

Next, prime (2k) or (acrylic) with primer / filler.  Depending on the mix is how much fill it gives.  2:1 is OK in 2K and is really good for filling some minor graining & pin holes.

Once primed, I lightly rub back and make sure is nice and flat.  I then apply paint to the whole cab.  Not everyone does this, but I find it helps ensure a nice even flat surface, as decals will show every bump, nick and bit of dust.

Once painted, I rub back again (taking off shine), tack rag then decal install (wet or dry).

[Duckman]

Last time we preped cabs for the indy run, coarse sand back decals (belt sander) Then second sand back with 80 grit. That removed all of the residual glue.

The spray putty we used was either K&H from autobarn.