Originally Posted by
Simon Barden
I normally apply my decals onto a glossy surface. If you have a 2000 grit flat finish, then the sanded finish will be trapped under the decal. TruOil over the top will make the surrounding area shiny again, but light passing through the clear decal will be diffused and it won’t look the same. If you can sand it flat to 2000, then apply a 50/50 thinned with turps layer on top which should give a decent gloss coat to apply a decal on. Alternatively wait a few days and just polish the area under the decal to a shine.
Also check that your decal printing method isn’t causing the issue. I tried converting my design from my graphics program to a pdf as it was easier to scale, but in converting, the clear area became covered in a layer of very fine dark dots, so I had to stop doing that.
And put a couple of layers of TruOil on the decal first before applying it. Then cut around the outline of the decal as closely as possible. It makes it so much easier to put on without the decal folding or creasing.