I just completed a structure that has a rough painted surface texture and I want to add a decal to it. The structure is already superglued to the wood base complete with sand, vehicles, and figures.

I know that one should place decals over a glossy surface, but I don't want to spray glosscote over the entire base and get the sand, vehicles, and figures glossy.

As such, should I paint on Vallejo Gloss Glaze over the exact area where I want the decal placed? I'm concerned that doing so would leave a glossy square that Vallejo Flat Glaze can't tone down.

Or should I risk placing the decal on the rough painted surface and hope that it doesn't silver? I have Micro Sol and Micro Set.

I'm trying to add the decal without the use of an airbrush spraying Future or Gloss or Flat.

The decal is not critical; I can do without it if you deem it's too much of a risk to add without the film showing.

Thanks in advance.

The flat or satin coat should cover the gloss okay. I used MIG acrylic satin and it covered Future just fine, looked great. Are you also using a solvent and setting solution?

I would recommend glossing the area first. Typically the matte of the same brand will kill the shine of it's gloss, but not always.

I've had good results using Tamiya mark fitter for decals on a rough (zimmerit) surface.

One possible method is to place a drop of gloss (clear) where the decal should be placed a position the decal in the drop of gloss. A big decal will require more drops ....
Press the decal into position and remove the excess gloss (the liquid squeezed out at the sides of the decal) with a soft cloth or similar. When the whole lot has dried (gloss drying under the decal) you can coat the decal with some flat to remove some of the shine on the decal and any gloss that you didn't manage to soak up with the cloth.
/ Robin

i use Future by brush just were the decals goes,is self-levelling and dont give any problem,after Micro-Set and then Micro-sol,last coat of future by brush and then AK Ultra Matte by brush,AK Ultra Matte Varnish for me is the best matte you can find death-flat finish,very difficult to have frosting problem,ready for AB but works good also by brush and dont settle to much in the bottle make this very easy to shake very well...other matte varnish give a good death-flat but is easier to have frosting problem

I trust that the preceding suggestions work as attested by fellow modellers. The one I'd add is for you to try one or two of the suggestions on a test piece so you can get to pick what works best for you. You could even try what you had in mind first.

Thanks, guys! I think I will try brushing on Future on the spot and then coating it with matte varnish.