Clear-Coat Over Vinyl Decal
Advice on how to apply and coat a decal on a wood table top. May 20, 2011
Question
I have a request from a customer to put a vinyl decal on an oak table top and clear it over. Has anyone else done this and if so, what clear coat did you use? I normally use a SW pre-cat lacquer, but I'm hesitant to use it thinking that it might have a bad reaction with the adhesive of the decal. I haven't found a WB clear that I really like yet, so I'm not in a hurry to use one, but I will if I have to. Any suggestions?
Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor J:
Piano refinishers do it all the time. Don't know what their decals are made of.
From the original questioner:
These decals are vinyl and I'm guessing they are the same type used on signs and that sort of thing. I really don't know much about decals and their makeup. I think I'm going to do a few tests with different clears and see what works best.
From contributor E:
I have done several pieces where I finished over a vinyl decal. In all instances I had the company that does the vinyl graphics on our company vehicles supply and cut the vinyl. I used an automotive acrylic urethane as my topcoat. I have attached a picture of a table I did several years ago for a 60' boat in Florida. I have not seen the table since it was installed, but according to the owner, the finish has held up very well.
Click here for higher quality, full size image
