How To Add Perfect Space Wolves Decals With Citadel Technical Paints

This is a tutorial on using two of Games Workshop’s Citadel technical paints – ‘Ardcoat and Lahmian Medium – to apply decals to miniatures.

The technique is the same, and I’ve talked about it earlier. I find it particularly useful for painting Space Wolves, as Games Workshop’s Space Wolves miniatures come with lots of cool decals (runes, etc..) that really bring out their character.

This tutorial uses two Citadel Technical Paints:

• ‘Ardcoat
• Lahmian Medium

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Step 1 – Where Do You Want A Decal?

Choose a space on the miniature where you want to apply a decal. Make sure it is clear of dust or particles. For this tutorial, I’ll add a decal to a Space Wolves Rhino transport.

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Step 2 – Prepare Surface with ‘Ardcoat

Prepare the surface where the decal will go with a layer of Citadel ‘Ardcoat.

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Step 3 – Apply Decal

Now carefully apply the decal. In the picture you can clearly see the “border” from the transparent parts of the decal.

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Step 4 – Apply a Second Layer of ‘Ardcoat

Now return to the space with another layer of Citadel ‘Ardcoat. The idea is to try and minimise to difference in surface levels between the (slightly raised) decal and the surrounding surface.

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Step 5 – Finish with Lahmian Medium

When everything is dry, apply Lahmian Medium to matt the surface. At this stage, you should see the decal starting to blend in with the model as if it were a part of it.

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Showcase: Space Wolves Rhino

Here is a picture of the completed Space Wolves Rhino. As you can see, I’ve used decals in a number of places to give it the proper Space-Wolves-look.

You can take a 360° view of this Space Wolves Rhino on YouTube.