Adding an image to a body

[TequilaKing]

I have an stripped back RG body that I'd like to add an image too.

At the moment I have the image in a .png file (can easily be converted to .jpg, .bmp, .psd etc) and what I want to do is print it off, stick it on the body and then clear coat it...

Now the big question.... whats the best way to do this?

I was thinking of printing the picture off onto an ohp transparceny sheet, cut out the image, stick it to the body then clear coat / sand back / clear coat sand back / clear coat etc

Has anyone done this? If so any pointers etc would be great

Cheers

[ohioplayer]

The clear coat (when I tried this) removed some of the ink from the transparency. I haven't tried again since. There must be a decent way to do it though. I would like, as well, to see if anyone has some good suggestions on how to do this.

[Salamander In The Sun]

You could always print the image and make a stencil.

[Racerx2k]

I've used waterslide decal paper with my Epson printer, and have had great sucess. The inks on the Epson are pigment-based, instead of dye-based, so they are much more resistant to water whatnot. You just gotta make sure you add enough cleacoats to bury the decals.

[projectjem]

you could get it printed at a photographic shop like 12"x18", that'll be better and you could chose gloss or matt finish

[Martallica]

Here yea go ! I gave a mate of mine a pic and he printed it out on a sticker where he works .
The pic's should tell the rest of the store .
Marty...

[Racerx2k]

Mart, did you clear over it, or is it merely adhered? Looks good.

[Martallica]

Clear over level sanded more clear wet sanded then compound .The sticker did shrink a bit so there was a bit of touching up .It's not that straight forward but wort the time.

[stitch216]

Better question, where did you buy a BattleTech comic?

Looks great.

This si the same principle behind the 'gravure' finishing that took off in the late 80's/early 90's, isnt it?

[Jaden]

find somewhere that can print your image on a self adhesive substrate using UV curable inks.
UV inks are a polymer and when cured they basically turn into plastic, I have cleared, varnished and encapsulated UV inks with no issues at all...

[TequilaKing]

Cheers guys for the pointers most appreciated!

[screamndemon69]

I had the same idea Martallica had with the vinyl sticker and clear coat. It is nice to see someone tried it and had success with the idea.

I would like to try a Dali or Picasso print on one of my RG mutts but everyone I inquired about doing this won't touch stuff like that due to copyrights and what not. If I can ever land a Jagermeister endorsement for my band I'll get one refinished with a really cool Jager logo

Let us know how you fair TK if you do your own.