How To: Working With Carbon Composite Decals

[Nobbys Nuts]

Go to Mt Toys at the top of the Queen Street Mall (not the one in the Myer Ctr). Its on the right hand side just before the Subway food shop and you go up the escalator and get some Testors Decal Set. Thats all I use and never had any probs with it. Huge range of kits and stuff last time I was in there(about a month ago). I started carrying it about 4 yrs ago when I worked there and they carried it on when I left.

Originally Posted by RallyRaider

Couldn't dissagree more...

There aren't many decent hobby stores in Brisbane. Best bet is to try Hobby One in Mount Gravatt. They might have something. I know Vogler and Son in Ipswich carry some decal solutions as well.
If they can't help you then the internet is your best bet. I live in the middle of country NSW and get most of my goodies that way.

[emilmh]

Originally Posted by Nobbys Nuts

Go to Mt Toys at the top of the Queen Street Mall (not the one in the Myer Ctr). Its on the right hand side just before the Subway food shop and you go up the escalator and get some Testors Decal Set. Thats all I use and never had any probs with it. Huge range of kits and stuff last time I was in there(about a month ago). I started carrying it about 4 yrs ago when I worked there and they carried it on when I left.

haha thats where i got my model from
it has an alright selection of models, cheap model masters paint at the moment!
so this testors decal set, i assume thats not the one that "softens" the decal but rather the protective coating? how do you specifically use this type? any info would be great. im after the one that softens the decal so it 'forms' over the plastic better. the microsol i think.



ps, u meant mr toys didnt you

[Nobbys Nuts]

Sorry I didn't reply last night, I had to work the Screamworld function at Dreamworld.

Quote; u meant Mr Toys didnt you.
Yes I did mean them.

1) With the decal set you paint a bit onto the area you are going to put the decal onto.
2) Then apply the decal as normal before putting another coat of Decal set over the top. You can let it dry naturally or do what I do and warm it up under a lamp and it pulls down into place.
A word of warning though, DO NOT touch it after you have put a coat over the top until it has dried as it is very easy to tear/rip the decal - I found out by touching it to see if it was dry or not. It keeps pulling into place for about an hour so dont panic if there are small bubbles when you paint it over top.
I use it to make the decals conform to the cowlings of Tamiyas bike kits etc where there is a large curve or for the areas where there should be carbon fibre which are all sorts of wierd shapes.
I can't comment on Micro Sol/Set as never been able to get it but Gunze also do a decal solution but I haven't tried it yet, although I have seen it regularly down here on the G/Coast.
Hope this helps/
Cheers
Tony
ps; I will have to duck in and stock up on M/Masters then. Was it just the cans or bottles too?
I had heard that they were going to get rid of the cans but keep the bottles.

Originally Posted by emilmh

haha thats where i got my model from
it has an alright selection of models, cheap model masters paint at the moment!
so this testors decal set, i assume thats not the one that "softens" the decal but rather the protective coating? how do you specifically use this type? any info would be great. im after the one that softens the decal so it 'forms' over the plastic better. the microsol i think.

[emilmh]

yeah, ist both the sprays and the bottles, not too good a selection though, and some of the spray cans were rusting! so i was a bit sus if maybe they were so old they have "gone off" or become a bit crappy?
i might pick up some of the bottles for detailing.
I'll try find some of that testors decal set then, sounds pretty good.

[bvia]

Originally Posted by RallyRaider

Definitely not turpentine. There is probably some household alternative if you knew the formulation. I always wondered if vinegar would work in place of Microset. Never felt the need to try personaly.

Phil is the man! Because the Micro-Set is a mix of acetic acid (of which vinegar is made with) and a solution. I'm sure one of the online hobby places (Scale Race Cars perhaps?) would ship you some as I doubt it's a controlled product.

hth,
Bill

[89Sunbird]

What is a good method to protect the decal? Im laying it on a hood and dont want it to start wearing off and chipping in the future. Just normal model clear coat?

[AllAlone.Gz]

On hoods and big stuff like that, yea. Uisng clear coats over the decal protects it. But Ive heard some clear coats damage the decal. I used tamiyas clear coat and didnt mess it up. For small stuff, the setting solutions and solvents should be enough.

Hope I helped.

[89Sunbird]

Thank you!

[Pippin1974]

You do it easy...but...when i tried....

[AllAlone.Gz]

First time i tried using carbon composite decals, the aftermarket ones not the ones that come with the kit, i only messed up on the edge. Small bubble built up. I used my xacto knife to let some air out carefully, and fixed it. It all depends on how carefull and patient you are. With the right tools and the patience youll get results!

[sandy.g36]

That was great. you make it look easy. But atleast i know now how it should be done. Thanks Mate

[ariel]

Thank You for the tutorial. I was at a race recently and got to see some carbon fiber panels up close. Speaking with the guy that does the carbon fiber
panels for the teams told me that the outside part which would be the piece of cloth facing the mold is always smooth but the part that faces away from the mold is never as pretty. Part of the process is they put it in a bag so if you get wrinkles in the bag you get it on the piece as well. Here is a pic.

[BVC500]

Good tutorial.

[Marianitem]

The tutorial looks like great info, but not easy to follow without pics. Looks like time fade em away...
Any chance that "freakray" or any other can update the pics? Or maybe redirect me to another how-to-carbon-fiber? I really need it...
Thanks