Trimming SMS Carbon fiber after applying

I'm currently trying to CF the hood of one of my projects. Usually, I do this on hoods not attached to the body so I can just fold over the excess. But now, the hood is attached so trimming the cf after I've applied microsol is impossible unless I want to scratch up the pain job. I can remove big pieces with tape by applying and then yanking off. But what should I do about the little pieces that are just outside the panel lines? Should I wait for it to dry? Should I take a blade to it before applying microsol (which usually ends in a ripped/wrinkled decal even if the blade is sharp)? Or do I just measure very very well before applying and hope for the best (which can be a problem as decals shrink a little after microsol).

What do you guys do?

thanks

eddie

Put thin tape along the edges of the hood, on the fenders, before you decal it, like Tamiya brand tape.
Decal as usual using solvent where needed. When DRY, cut along the hood edges with a SHARP knife.
Peel up the tape and use a little more solvent, if needed, to work the edges into the crevice. - Mark

Put thin tape along the edges of the hood, on the fenders, before you decal it, like Tamiya brand tape.
Decal as usual using solvent where needed. When DRY, cut along the hood edges with a SHARP knife.
Peel up the tape and use a little more solvent, if needed, to work the edges into the crevice. - Mark
Excellent idea and answer. Can't get any clearer than that.

Good idea Mark, never thought of that.
What I usually do is cut the excess off with a very sharp blade and remove the excess before it dries. If it does dry then you can wet it again with microsol or similar and use a brush to get under a corner. More microsol and work with a brush usually lifts the rest of the decal up easily.

Great tips!
I made a big mess trying to trim the excess off of a seat back. I ended up sanding the excess off and repainting the seat.

I think we can't add anything other than what Mark said. Best idea to do it ! (why I never thought about that)

Put thin tape along the edges of the hood, on the fenders, before you decal it, like Tamiya brand tape.
Decal as usual using solvent where needed. When DRY, cut along the hood edges with a SHARP knife.
Peel up the tape and use a little more solvent, if needed, to work the edges into the crevice. - Mark
Same method I use. Saves a bunch of time no doubt. This is the easiest way :smokin:

You could always go the route I outline in the how to I wrote and not have excess decal to trim off....seems like it would be less wasteful too.

Somethings are so obvious. . .

Don't know why they have to hide on you like that until someone else points it out! lol

Awesome tip!!!


Put thin tape along the edges of the hood, on the fenders, before you decal it, like Tamiya brand tape.
Decal as usual using solvent where needed. When DRY, cut along the hood edges with a SHARP knife.
Peel up the tape and use a little more solvent, if needed, to work the edges into the crevice. - Mark