adding decals

[AmadeusCharger500]

Can accent stripes and other declas be put on top of the last stage of clear or do they go on before the clear?
If before then how do you deal with the bump in the paint?

[69fourspd]

I would put them on top of the clear.  You may experience adhesion problems with the clear coat if the decals are under the paint.  Also, they cant be removed if you want to change something later on. 

[Doc74]

Can accent stripes and other declas be put on top of the last stage of clear or do they go on before the clear?
If before then how do you deal with the bump in the paint?

They can be applied onto clear as long as you degrease it well enough.  Depending on the decals you might want to consider using a soapy solution to play with the decal until it sits right.

Motorcycles usually have decals on top of clear with the exception of the gas tanks since a spill of fuel would dissolve the decal.  You can apply decals onto base coat or, a safer way, apply clear, sand it to a flat finish, apply decals and re clear.  In case something goes wrong you still have clear between base and decals.

To have a smooth finish you'll have to build up the clear and sand until you can't see or feel the edges.
Theoretically applying 10 coats of clear and sanding will make it flat but that's asking for trouble.  Best would be to apply two or three thin coats, sand and reapply until it's smooth.  As soon as it's smooth and you feel there's enough clear left you can polish it to a shine altough painting another two coats and sanding and polishing that would be a safer bet.

[xghobo]

Just float them on after the clear. If you plan on clearing over them just save the money and paint them on than clear over that.

[jordyjim]

dont paint over decals! put them on top of the cured clear,make sure it is cured or they will bite in,clean with panel wipe first,zippo lighter fuel is the same,if you dont want ridges spray your lines on the base then apply the clear,but then your stuck with them..jim