I was talking to a veteran rod builder at the expo this year and I remember him telling me about using clear avery labels to make decals. He said to get rid of the cloudiness you cover them with this particular brand clear nail polish. Does anyone know that brand nail polish and a little more about this technique? Do you put the label on the rod then brush the nail polish on and then epoxy over that?

I will qualify my comment with the fact that I've never used nail polish and most likely never will. I don't think that nail polish has the UV resistance of products that are designed and made specifically for rodbuilding.

One thing I've had lots of experience with are custom labels printed on my computer, and I'll warn you that if you do this, use OEM print cartridges and not the refillable cheapies. I've made that mistake and found in some cases the decals fade and change colors very fast. Even black.

I think he's talking about a medium for turning the Avery "cloudy" label to clear, and then topcoating with epoxy.

.................

yes that is what im talking about a verteran told me to cover the avery label with nail polish to turn it clear I believe it was Ken
Preston who was explaining this technique to me.

Ken Preston taught me to use Sally Hansen clear nail polish over labels. He showed me how it will prevent epoxy from lifting the label as well. I coat all around the edges of every decal and sticker and have never had an issue since.

It doesn't really matter as along as its clear, Sally Hansen is the most popular but i've used other brands.

Justin - yes, it does matter. I've tried several brands with varying success. My "go to" is, as Dave stated" Sally Hansen Hard as Nails. This removes the cloudy finish on Avery inkjet 'clear' mailing labels. The matte finish is there to hold the ink on inkjet printers. It is not there as a final finish for that a coat of thread epoxy is best.