<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML xmlns:o = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.17104" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY id=role_body style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial" bottomMargin=7 leftMargin=7 topMargin=7 rightMargin=7> <DIV>The procedure I have used in the past, like everyone a long time ago, is somewhat different than the posts.  Varnish, spar is ok, is spread with a good quality brush or foam brush over the entire decal.  A nice light coat is better than heavy.  Do make sure to cover all areas of the decal.  Allow the varnish to slightly tack, as Ed mentioned barely sticks to your nose, then carefully place the decal in position.  Tape down the corners so it cannot move.  Press from the center of the decal outwards to remove any air bubbles.  I then use very cold water and sprinkle it over the backing.  When the backing is saturated then very carefully peel it away from the decal.  Apply more cold water,  the cold water causes the varnish to set quicker, and use the thin protective material that came on the decal to gently swab and mop the decal surface.  Start with working from center out to make sure there are no air bubbles.  Now add some mineral spirits or paint thinner, the ratio of thinner to water would be about 20% thinner-80%water, on the decal surface,  there will still be cold water on the decal, and using that same backing gently swab the water/mineral spirits around especially near the edges of the decal.  The mineral spirits will remove the excess varnish.  Probably spend 2 - 5 minutes with water/mineral spirits then remove remaining liquid with soft cloth.  Allow decal to dry overnight if possible then mist spray over decal with clear shellac.  The shellac provides a barrier for top coats and really helps prevent the edges from curling.</DIV> <DIV>That's how I used to do it 30 years ago.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>David Betts</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>In a message dated 10/27/2011 11:02:38 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, charding88@comcast.net writes:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"> <DIV class=Section1> Hey, Guys & Gals,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I need to apply a varnish-transfer soundboard decal, and it has been years since I last did this.  The decal is expensive, and although I<o:p></o:p> have two of them in case I screw up the first, I would like to get it right the first time. The instructions I have<o:p></o:p> received with the decal fill me with more trepidation than confidence.<o:p></o:p> It seems that the last time I did this, there was another, more user-friendly, way of applying the decal, even though it is designed to<o:p></o:p>  be applied with varnish.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>   Any counsel would be appreciated.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I'm in the shop this morning; I'll check back later.<o:p></o:p> Thanks.<o:p></o:p> Claude Harding</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BODY></HTML>