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Decal Printed Dial - First Attempt

jaygatsby

You're Saying I Can Sell?
3/12/18
99
30
18
My 6538 has been a great project/learning experience over the last few months. It started as a silix, and I've since added a beveled case re-shape, modded bezel and a gen bezel insert, as well as a nato strap.

The dial and hands were always the weak point. Through the wealth of information on this forum, I stumbled across some 800+ pages of info on the decal printed dial and set to work. It's been a challenge to print, and especially to lume, but I am very pleased with the results so far, and plan to try variations in the printing and finishing methods over the next few weeks to get it perfect.

Here's a few pics of my first attempt- enjoy.

p.s. dont mind the hands, I have a set of gen hands on the way.
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jaygatsby

You're Saying I Can Sell?
3/12/18
99
30
18
How did you avoid bubbles on the decals?
I had to do some trial and error with print settings, but for the most part it printed without bubbles. The real challenge is getting the finish right - the varnish typically bubbles and never sprays evenly. So after i printed the dial, i let it dry for 24 hours before spraying my first coat of varnish. The first coat I sprayed from 1.5 ft away and just did a light dusting, you could barely see the varnish at this point. I let it dry for another 24 hours, repeated the same over the course of a few days and it worked quite well without bubbling.

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