Yamaha Tech 3 + Laguna Seca

[Tibi Keke]

I wish you good luck! :-)

[John18d]

Originally Posted by andrew59it

Thank John this could help, but my question is "how do you prepare the decalized surfaces before the 2K?"
There are fingerprints, decal glue etc, so "degrease" the surface is very important. Usually I try to wash the fairing with some cotton and soap but it's easy to scrap the smaller decal...
Anyone have any suggestions?

sorry for my late reply Andrea - when I have fingerprints - decal glue - water marks etc to remove, I use a mild soap("Tide" powder that is phosphate free)/"distilled" water mixed and gently wash the surface with a "cheese cloth" (cloth that does not leave lint on the surface) and then I dry it with 100% cotton pads (like the ones women use for applying cosmetics and removing nail polish). I never use anything but "distilled water" to wash the plastic with once I start painting with the primer, otherwise there are chemicals and minerals in the water that can damage the decals and interfere with the paint/clear process. I can PM a picture of what I use if you would like? I hope this is not too late to help you Andrea - These two scale replicas are looking very good and I really would like them to come out perfect. If you have to, try on the Tech3 first - if you damage the decals I can send you a replacement set of decals, as I have two of those kits and I will only build one as a Tech3 version. - John

[andrew59it]

Thank you John, I should have needed the decal some days ago, 2 layers of decal should have been perfect. I understand your procedure. Today I washed and cleaned all the fairings and they looks good. Tomorrow I will try with a thin layer of x-22 to seal the decal, expecially the chromed one on the front cowl and then I will procede with 2K....

[andrew59it]

These 3 days worked with 2K. First of all, as I thought, a thin layer of x-22 to protect the decals, expecially the chromed n. 5



Second day the first coat of 2K quite thick and the day after a second coat wet (like water)







There is something to make, some dust particles to remove but the big job is done....

[John18d]

Andrea - those body pieces look beautiful - it is like glass. Don't worry about a couple of dust spots they will rub out just fine. The overall look and effect is fantastic. Did the "metalic" number 5 of Edwards lose any metal effect when you put on the clear? From the picture I cannot completely see. Was your X-22 acrylic or enamel? Overall this came out great - I hope mine is half as good. - John

[andrew59it]

Thanks John the chromed n5 is still chrome...
I used the acrylic x-22. To tell the truth it was not tamiya but Gunze, anyway it's the same paint.

[eyckles]

Hi,

Beautiful work on the monster bike. For the clear part. Did you use gunze mr topcoat to protect the decals? I had a bad experience using 2k clear from zero paints. The clear crawled under the decals. Did you spray a thin coat of gunze or a wet coat.

Lesley

[Tibi Keke]

Nice work Andrea! You sparyed the clear very good. I like it!
Did you make some test? How well sticks the 2 k clear over the gunze/tamiya acrilic clear?

[andrew59it]

@eyckle: I used the aqueos line from Gunze, the same of tamiya X-22 acrylic. I sprayed a thin coat, anyway these paint don't give any problems with decals. It's since many year I use 2K on decal with no problem.
@Tibi: I didn't make any test... To tell the truth some days ago, as I decided to use only gunze acrylic I sprayed the front fender with gunze, but when I used the 2K on the rear cowl, I didn't resist.... I sprayed the 2K on the front fender too and nothing happened. So I decided this solution to protect decal and avoid the little holes sometimes appear with 2K (dirty surface)
It seems the 2k sticks well on x-22..... (I hope.... ) but Iwill not try to peel it off.....

[andrew59it]

I started the polishing job, micromesh and compound.... pretty boring...
Assembled the shift linkage:



I have placed a thermoformed (?) tube on the pedal

I have filed the pin for the aft tank cover and placed a dummy screw on it (hooby design)



So closing the tanks:



See you !

[andrew59it]

Completed the front cowl too, I'm near the end....

[Tibi Keke]

It look's great! Can wait the finish!

[John18d]

looks very good Andrea - how is the Laguna version coming? - John

[andrew59it]

4 pictures before finish the fairings and close her...

[andrew59it]

Another problem with Laguna Seca decals....
As you ca see from the pictures the writing SEMAKIN on the left side of the rear cowl is wrong. In the real bike is up and on the right in the decal is on the left.... I thought to make another black shape on which place the white writing but the writing on the decal is... CLEAR!!!!