Frequently Asked Questions

Do you sell model decals for Dinky Toys?

Clifford’s Model Decals and Spares sell waterslide transfers and spare parts for a wide selection of Dinky toy models including model airplanes, Dinky Buses and Coaches, waterslide transfers for Dinky Military vehicles, Dinky Racing car decals, and more. If you are refurbishing a Dinky toy then please visit our website for a wide range of reproduction model decals and spare parts.

Do you stock transfers for model aircraft?

We stock a selection of reproduction waterslide decals for aircraft in the Dinky toy model range. Our Dinky Airplane decals are professional screen-printed waterslide transfers and include decals for all types of Dinky Aircraft including helicopters, hurricanes, fighters, airliners.

Do you sell Corgi model transfers?

Yes, we stock model decals for Corgi toy models. Our model transfers are reproduction waterslide transfers suitable for use on Corgi toy restoration projects. If you cannot find the Corgi transfers you need, please get in touch.

What is the difference between a model decal and a model transfer?

A ‘model decal’ and a ‘model transfer’ are the same thing. We supply ‘waterslide model decals’ which can also be referred to as ‘waterslide transfers’ or ‘water transfer decals’.

What brands of model toy do you supply model decals and model transfers for?

We supply waterslide transfers for many types of toy models including those from the Dinky range of model toys, Corgi toys, French Dinky models, Hornby O Gauge, Matchbox, and OO Gauge.

What types of transport do you supply decals for?

Our range of waterslide decal and waterslide transfers are for many different types of transport.
These include model decals for:

• Cars
• Racing Cars
• Motorcycles
• Vans
• Landrovers
• Commercial Vehicles
• Trucks
• Wagons
• Crane Trucks
• Oil Tankers
• Lorries
• Petrol Tankers
• Buses
• Coaches
• School Buses
• Taxis
• Police Vehicles
• Post Office Transport
• Service Vehicles
• Military Vehicles
• Tanks
• Aircraft
• Aeroplanes
• Locomotives
• Trains
• Train Carriages
• Train Engines
• Train Wagons
• Tipping Wagons
• Railway vehicles

Do I need any special tools to apply a transfer to my model?

To successfully apply a waterslide decal you will need to have your model, a good clear workspace, a selection of tools, and patience! Please see our Guide to Applying Waterslide Transfers

Here’s what we recommend for your toolkit:

• Your sheet of decals
• A saucer of warm water
• Washing up liquid
• Commercial decal solution
• A cutting mat
• A small, sharp pair of scissors
• A hobby knife
• Tweezers
• Swab sticks/Cotton buds
• Cocktail sticks
• Small paintbrushes
• Lint-free cloth
• Paper towels
• Varnish

How do I prepare the model surface before I apply a transfer?

Before applying a transfer to your model you should make sure that the surface is clean and dry and free from dust and any fingerprints.

Can I re-position a transfer if I get it in the wrong place?

You can generally try and reposition a decal provided it is done at the time of applying it and before it has fully adhered and dried out. Apply plenty of water to the surface and gently slide the decal to its position.  Any resistance will possibly tear the decal.

Are model decals re-usable?

Once a decal has been fully applied to a model and allowed to settle and dry out it cannot be removed and re-applied.

Are your model decals self-adhesive?

Our model decals are professional screen printer waterslide decals. The design is printed face-up on the decal card which has an adhesive layer that bonds the decal to the model surface. A waterslide decal is called ‘waterslide’ because you soak the decal card in water and this allows the decal to slide off the card backing and onto your model.

How can I remove creases from a decal once it is on my model?

Any creases and air bubbles that exist once you apply a waterslide transfer to your model need to be addressed whilst the decal is still wet and soft. Most air bubbles and creases can be smoothed out using a soft lint-free cloth. If the decal has begun to dry out moisten it with a wet cotton swab and then smooth it using a soft lint-free cloth. Any remaining air bubble can be pierced with a needle to release the air and again smooth out the decal with your cloth before allowing it to dry.

How long do I leave my waterslide transfer in water before attempting to apply it?

You should immerse your waterslide transfer in warm water for approximately 20 seconds or more depending on the size or until there’s no resistance.  When you remove the decal from your saucer of water you are aiming to remove it with the backing card still in place.

How can I remove air bubbles from a decal once it has been applied?

Most air bubbles can be removed whilst the decal is still wet during the application process. Use a soft lint-free cloth and gently smooth out the air bubbles. If the decal has begun to dry out, moisten the surface with a wet cotton swab and smooth the bubbles out. If any air bubbles remain, use a fine needle to pierce the air bubble to release the air and smooth the surface again with a soft lint-free cloth.

What is a waterslide decal?

A waterslide decal is a transfer, which can be applied to a model surface. The design is printed face up on special decal card which has an adhesive layer and a dextrose layer. It is the dextrose layer that allows the decal to slide off the backing card. The decal, including its backing card, is soaked for around 20 seconds in warm water to soften it and allow it to slide from the backing card. The softened decal and backing card should be carefully positioned on the model surface before the backing card is removed. The backing card will slide from the decal and the decal can be carefully smoothed onto the model surface where it will adhere and dry out. Waterslide transfers are much thinner than vinyl stickers and can be printed to include a high level of detail.

I am struggling to source a particularly model decal. Can you help?

If you have a specific requirement for a model decal please get in touch. We stock model decals for a wide range of toy model replicas from the Dinky Toy Model range, Corgi Model transfers, Matchbox Model Decals, French Dinky Model decals, and Hornby O Gauge and OO Gauge model decals and spares.

Are your model decals printed on vinyl?

No, our model decals are not vinyl, they are waterslide transfers that are printed on special decal card.

My decal won’t stick/ What did I do wrong?

There could be a few reasons why your model decal will not stick.

• When you remove the decal from the warm water you are aiming to remove it with the backing card still in place. This will help preserve the adhesive. Only once you have positioned the decal on your model surface should you slide the decal backing card away. Handling a decal once removed from the backing card may mean you have wiped some of the adhesive away.
• If you have attempted to apply a decal to your model but have had to remove it to re-apply or reposition it then the adhesive may not be as effective as some of it may have been used and wiped off in the first application attempt.
• If the surface has been poorly prepared the decal may not adhere as well as it should to your model.

What surfaces can I apply model transfers to?

Model decals generally adhere to most surfaces.  You should make sure that your surface is clean, dry, and completely free from dust and fingerprints.

Can I apply a model decal to bare plastic or an unpainted surface?

Yes you can, and you can also paint/spray matt or gloss varnish over the transfer.

What scale are your model decals?

The model scale will vary. Many of our decals are for models with a scale of 1:43. In most cases, the scale will be included in the product description for the model transfer. If you are unsure about the suitability of the model transfer for your toy model restoration project, please send me a message and I will try and help.

Do you have any instructions for applying waterslide transfers?

Please see our  Waterslide Transfers Guide for toy models.