Decal Set or Clearcoat Over Vinyl Decals?

[Toothdoc]

I have an SC helmet that I'm finishing up and have just applied the vinyl decals.  The "fishhook" and the ones in the back (the vertical black "vent" lines) are really prone to handling more and have me a little concerned.  These look like they are stuck pretty well, but have a definite "edginess" around their periphery.  I can see these snagging on a helmet bag or possibly coming off or loose on a troop outing.

Have any of you tried using some gloss decal set, a clear coat overspray or a clear nail polish to help "SET" them in place and protect them from coming off?  I just feel like these could be protected a little better.  I haven't needed to paint the helmet at all and it's still the native, glossy plastic. 

 

Thanks!

[Chopper]

If you're using vinyl decals, I recommend that you do not put a clearcoat over them. The clearcoat may react badly and then you're going to have to deal with sanding and repainting.

While vinyl decals are technically removable, most decals are probably cut from Oracal vinyl and it's very unlikely they'll come off easily.

[troygordon2]

I clear coat everything, but do it carefully.  I've found if you really cake it on, the clear coat can actually soak the sticker, causing it to get soggy and peel up.  I "dust" it a few times with clear coat, letting a layer slowly build up over them before applying solid sprays to seal it in.  I've not had a problem with the vinyl decals, but have found that they can soften up too when exposed to the clear coat and get a bit more pliable.  Again, I'd recommend a dusting.  Also, I recommend using matte clear coat first before applying the glossy stuff.  The gloss has a tendency to crinkle if on another glossy surface.  If you're going with a remnant, i think the flat coat looks great by itself, if you want that clean and sharp, then hit it with the gloss to make it shine.  And make sure you do it before assembly of the 2 halves, or you'll have to worry about the hinge disk, which shouldn't be shiny.  And certainly don't spray that visor.  Here's a pic of some recent ones I've just completed, you can see the glossy shine on the clean ones to the right with the rustoleum gloss clear coat.