Decals & Markings

Decals silvering

Trapped air under the clear decal film makes it look silvery. A gloss base, a setting solution and careful blotting prevent it, and even dried silvering can often be fixed.

Quick answer

Silvering is air trapped under the clear carrier film of a decal, which reflects light and looks silvery or milky. It mostly happens on matt or rough paint. Apply decals over a cured gloss coat, use a decal setting solution so the film settles into detail, and blot from the center out. If it already dried, prick the silvered area with a fine needle, apply decal softener and let it settle, then seal with a clear coat.

TimePrevention: adds one gloss coat and drying time. Repair: 10-20 minutes per decal.
DifficultyBeginner (prevention), intermediate (repair)

Safety first

Some decal solutions contain mild solvents or acids: avoid eyes and ventilate.

Is this your problem?

Silvery patches inside or around the decalTrapped air: this page.
A visible glossy rectangle around the marking, but no silverVisible carrier film: trim film close or match the sheen with a final clear coat.
The decal wrinkles or will not follow curvesIt needs a setting solution or softener: see the decals not conforming page.
The decal tore or folded during handlingSee Decals tearing or sticking to tweezers.

You'll see

A silvery, milky or shiny patch around the edges of a decal or over parts of it, most visible from an angle. It is strongest on clear carrier film, in panel lines and over rivets.

Likely causes

Matt or rough surfaceMatt paint is microscopically rough; the flat decal film bridges the peaks and traps air in the valleys.
Water and air not pressed outPockets left under the film dry as air bubbles.
Decal over panel lines or rivets without softenerThe film bridges the recess instead of sinking into it.
Old or thick decalsThicker, older carrier film is stiffer and settles less.

What you need

Gloss varnish
Decal setting solution and/or softener
Soft brush or applicator
Paper towel or cotton swab
Fine needle or very sharp blade (repair)
Clear varnish to seal

How to fix it

Gloss-coat the area where the decal goes and let it cure as the varnish maker instructs.
Brush a little decal setting solution or water on the spot first.
Soak the decal briefly, wait until it slides on its backing, then slide it into place.
Blot gently from the center outwards with a soft applicator or rolled swab to push out water and air.
On curves, panel lines and rivets, apply decal softener per its instructions and leave it alone while it works; decals may wrinkle temporarily and then flatten.
When fully dry, seal with a clear coat, then apply your final sheen (matt, satin or gloss).

What to avoid

Decalling straight onto matt paint.
Rubbing so hard that the decal tears.
Flooding a dried decal with strong softener: thin decals can dissolve.

Common wrong fixes

Spraying a heavy matt coat to hide silvering: matt over trapped air can make it look worse.
Heating the decal with a hair dryer: it can wrinkle the decal and warp plastic.

Not worth fixing, or time to ask us

A slightly silvery decal under a matt coat often becomes much less obvious after sealing: check before redoing it. Ask us if you are unsure which varnish to use under decals.

Send us a photo Read the full step-by-step guide

By situation or hobby

Already dried and silvered

Prick the silvered area several times with a fine needle or the tip of a sharp blade, brush on decal softener, let it soak into the holes and settle, blot, and repeat if needed. Then seal.

Gunpla waterslide decals

Very thin decals: use a gloss or semi-gloss coat under them and a matt top coat after, which hides much of the remaining film.

Aircraft stencils and small decals

Trim carrier film close with a sharp blade before soaking; less film means less silvering.

Large decals over rivets (armor, ships)

Use softener in several light applications rather than flooding.

Already ruined?

Mild silvering often becomes much less visible after a gloss coat followed by a matt top coat. For stubborn cases, use the pin-prick and softener method. Very thick old decals may never fully settle; trimming film or replacing the decal may be the only answer.

Next time

Always gloss before decals.
Use setting solution.
Trim excess carrier film.
Blot out water and air.
Seal before weathering.

Frequently asked questions

What causes decal silvering?

Air trapped under the decal film, usually because it sits on matt or rough paint or was not blotted.

Can you fix decal silvering after it dries?

Often yes: prick the silvered area with a fine needle, apply decal softener and let it settle, then seal.

Do I need a gloss coat before decals?

It is the best way to prevent silvering. Satin can work for thin decals; matt is the main cause of silvering.

Should I clear coat after decals?

Yes. A clear coat seals the decal, hides the edge of the film and lets you set the final sheen.

Does matt varnish hide silvering?

It can reduce mild silvering once the decal is sealed with gloss first. Over trapped air alone it may not help.

What is the difference between decal setting solution and softener?

A setting solution helps the decal grip and settle; a softener makes the film soften so it conforms to detail. Follow each maker's instructions.

Jargon explained

Carrier film: The clear film that holds the printed decal design.
Decal softener: A solution that softens decal film so it conforms to surface detail.

Tools that can help

Hobby Mio 50ml Pre-Mixed Varnishes €19,95
Why it helps: Pre-mixed varnishes for airbrush users, ready to spray with no thinning. A gloss coat is the usual base for decals.

How to use it
Spray the gloss version under decals and let it cure.
Plamokojo PMKJ044 Asymmetric Decal Tweezers €26,95
Why it helps: One arm is longer than the other so the decal releases cleanly instead of clinging and tearing.

How to use it
Lift the decal by its backing edge and slide it onto the wet surface.
Galaxy 4pcs Water Decal Applicator Pens Set €18,95
Why it helps: Soft flat and pointed applicators, so you do not push a wet decal around with a paintbrush.

How to use it
Blot and smooth the decal from the center outwards.
Mo Shi Tools Clear Varnish Marker Pen from €17,95
Why it helps: A water-based clear coat in a marker pen for sealing decals on areas too small for the airbrush.

How to use it
Seal individual small decals once they are fully dry.