To start the process wipe the entire area where you will be applying the varnish including over the sticker with a damp cloth.
Clear coat over vinyl decals on painted wood.
Then make sure there s no sawdust or residue on the wood before applying the vinyl.
When you add decals to your motorcycle or other vehicle as décor you will want to add a clear coat over the top of the decal.
As you may know wood is a bit of a tricky surface when it comes to putting vinyl on it anyway.
Applying varnish over stickers will seal them in the wood surface for years to come.
If you want to try a topcoat i would let the vinyl adhesive cure for 24 48 hours before adding a topcoat so the adhesives don t mix and cause the vinyl to peel.
Clear coating helps to protect the decal from peeling cracking or sustaining other damage from exposure to the elements.
Question i have a request from a customer to put a vinyl decal on an oak table top and clear it over.
Your permanent vinyl should well adhere to wood that s treated with a base coat so long as your project is kept inside.
If you have a wall decal matte finish and not super strong adhesive use a very light coat of polyurethane.
Wait until the wood surface is dry before continuing with the process.
Try a vinyl with a solvent adhesive.
The polyurethane tends to curl the edges of a vinyl sticker and with the lighter adhesive the strength of the adhesive can break down.
The vinyl has a tendency to want to lift up if you don t have a surface that s perfectly smooth.
Mod podge is another product that i have heard customers state they have used over their wall decal stickers.
This will remove dust and dirt from the surface.
Vinyl decals were never intended to have a clear coat put on top as far as i can discover within product specifications.
Clear coat over vinyl decal advice on how to apply and coat a decal on a wood table top.
If you have a choice of paint use 1shot or an enamel paint.
And i ve yet to see any major issues.
Here s my take on things.
With a few materials and a little of your time you can clear coat decals yourself.
You can go ahead and paint it or spray paint it but just be sure to give it a really long time to dry before applying the vinyl.
I normally use a sw pre cat lacquer but i m hesitant to use it thinking.
However i ve seen many do it with great success for nearly 20 years.