Need help with carbon fiber

I'm thinking of adding aftermarket carbon fiber decals to the front control panels of some of Tamiya's JGTC cars. However, the switches and various controls interfere with the decal laying flat. Does anyone have any tips on how to do this, or do you all just apply the decal + solvent and paint the switch protrudences after the decal has set?

That should work. Also get a hairdryer. Probabaly could practice on a spare decal.

you can also cut out the switches and control interfere, then you put you carbon decals, and after that, you scratch build the switches and the small pieces that you cut out !
This is how Eric Evain from Tamiya Magazine France did for his CLK-DTM.

Or you could just paint diagonal stripes of alternating black and graphite

When ive done it in the past i just lay the decal on top then apply generous amounts of softening solution - several times. The switches etc can then be painted after its settled.

I totally agree with flyonthewall here,several applications of softening solution,plus I use heat after letting the solution soften it a bit and then I often use a Q tip or pencil eraser (anything soft really) to gently help it down over the problem area. Just take your time.