Top Coating Gregg's Decals

[Victrolacollector]

I just applied the decals to my Edison Standard A and top coated with spray lacquer in a can. In the past I did this and got some penetrating oil on the lacquer wiped it off and the decals with it. Do any of our forum members know of a tougher top coat that I can spray over the lacquer without receiving bad results like white spots or dissolving?

[JerryVan]

Why don't you ask Gregg?

[tomb]

I do not like spray lacquer I had it mess up the decals. I have been using a spray called Deft. It comes in satin, high gloss, and semi. Be careful when mixing paints and sprays as some interact, bubble up, and make you mad as they ruin your work. I have almost now used Krylon as a primer and paint. I spray the bottom too then check that the clear coat will not screw it up. I am now into shellac and that takes a while to get the hang of applying it. I am still not the greatest but it can be corrected with alcohol and sandpaper. I tried spray shellac and was not impressed. With shellac you can order the color you want and only mix what you can use in a few months. It is avaible on amazon. A pound lasts a long time. You can buy four ounces too.. The orange shellac is used on Edison's Tom B

[Phonofreak]

I don't use any type of spray, especially lacquer. I use Bulleye Orange Shellac with a foam brush. A couple of light coats should do the trick. It also ages the decal. I use the shellac for other decals, too.
Harvey Kravitz

[benjaminh]

Same here, only shellac. I mix mine up, though, from flakes. Although it takes a bit of getting used to, it's now my favourite finish. I don't know how it reacts to penetrating oil, though. I tend to keep that away from machines when their in the cabinet.

Benjamin

[startgroove]

If you are looking for a gloss finish, use RustOleum. First coat in black and top coat in clear. I did a Fireside this way. After the black coat, I sanded with #600 wet/dry, then applied Gregg's decal set. When the water had completely dried, I shot a coat of clear over the top. No reaction to oil or other solvents (except lacquer thinner will attack that finish). The guy I restored it for was very pleased with the look.

[benjaminh]

Shellac really rubs out nicely. Here are some pics of a bedplate I recently finished, using Gregg's decals. It still needs the carriage and endgate, and the knife edge that the carriage rubs on needs to be cleaned off. You really can be get a beautiful gloss finish with shellac that doesn't look at all "harsh" as some do. And, as you can see, the edges of the decals are 100% invisible. Of course, the other plus to shellac is that it is a period finish.

[Phonofreak]

Nice bed plate. The decals with the orange shellack look great. Like I said in other posts, I use Bullseye Orange Shellack. I don't have to mix anything. I use it right out of the can.
Harvey Kravitz