CF decal AHHHHHHHHH!!

I tried to put on this CF decal that i got, and i used decal softener, and i already ruined 1 section.... because i didn't know how brittle the decals were... Here is the pictures of the hood now, i think i will try one more time, to get it perfect.... or is there any wya i can repair it?

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/2613573.jpg http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/223077343.jpg

Did you use a warm, damp washrag layed over the decal for about 2 minutes? That's usually what works for me; some people have had success with a hair dryer. My wife hides hers from me:p

if its dry i think you need to start over to get it lookin good

U would have to start over, cuz when u put it on u didnt let out all the air and its caused air bubbles. It happens to me once and a while, but i know how to do it good now so it doesnt happen. If u want next time when u do it over get a credit card or some hard car to press down on the carbon fiber so all of the air bubbles get out.:D Tell me if this works.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/694726fixedhood.jpg
What's important is to fix it one by one.
Poke the ridge with a very sharp knife, or cut along the peak of the ridge, so that air can escape.
Soften it with the decal softener. Thin it with water if it's too strong.
Use a cotton swab, and roll it over the ridge in the direction shown, while gently applying force to flatten it.
Once it's fixed, wait until it's completely dry, so that when you accidentally touch it, while fixing another, you won't damage the softened area.

[Edit: Don't forget to moisten the cotton swab with water. It will prevent decal from sticking to it.]

Originally posted by Shorty4859
U would have to start over, cuz when u put it on u didnt let out all the air and its caused air bubbles. It happens to me once and a while, but i know how to do it good now so it doesnt happen. If u want next time when u do it over get a credit card or some hard car to press down on the carbon fiber so all of the air bubbles get out.:D Tell me if this works.

Dude, you are only new to the hobby, completed one model.

Feel free to give suggestions but don't tell people to start over unless there is no other way that they can fix what they already have. It is alway better to fix mistakes, then have to start again.

I think it is too late. I've had that happen to me and when I peeled it off to smooth it, there was still a bubble. You should have popped them as soon as it happened. Just remove it and do it over. This is the trick. While putting it on, Smooth it with a credit card so it stays smooth ;) You should see what a bitch it is to get a CF and tint decal pefect on a 1/10 car :eek:

Do me a favor and ignore the people telling you to start over....they obviously lack experience when it comes to C/F decalling. Sorry for the bluntness.

What Hiro has said is true, follow his advice and you can save the decal, it should not be that difficult, you just need to have patience.
I have C/F decalled some very complex things(Roof intake on Safari Impreza amongst others), and sometimes you have to work in stages to get the decal completely conformed to the surface.
What you have on the hood is not uncommon at all, since you are applying a flat decal to a complex curve.
Hiro has told you how to get by it, and I think he has told you the best way......
I am sure you can get the decal to conform, at least try to fix this one before you start over:)

Ray

I agree with Ray and Hiro - is not that bad, and definitely could be saved. Make sure the hood is completely dry before applying clear, or it could bubble again!

alright,i had to garbage that try as well, because there were many rips, and a big tear in the corner... I have one last try, and im almost positive it will work great, cause now i have a bettter understanding of what im supposed to do.... i just have one Question...

Would anyone consider trading me some more CF decal, for parts or exahusts, because i REALLY REALLY like the outcome of the CF decals!

As a trick, what you can do is paint the decal softener over the brittle decal while it's still on the decal paper. Not much, and let it pretty much dry before you try to put it on the model, otherwise you'll scrunch it.

And follow the advice of the other guys - use Decal Sol, soften the decal, pinprick in the bubble, pressure to get the bubble out, and off you go.

Main thing - patience. Don't rush anything. Rush it, you'll end up with a folded decal, and a steamed temper. Just take it sloooooooooow.

Good luck

You can get C/F decals at http://www.scalemotorsport.com

I have a love/hate relationship with SMS carbon decals, I've tried all the techniques and I still get wrinkles. Coated some with Future and they wrinkled, and brushed some Microscale Decal Film over some that had been applied and dried in the dehydrator, it actually disolved the ink and it smeared as I brushed it on!:rolleyes:

wat other company do you suggest?

Renaissance.....their C/F decals have more grey to them.....
Although I have not had a problem with SMS brand either.

I ruined it again! god damnit, im really mad.



What sizes do they usually come in, new that is??? and what is the easiest to put on?

I think they are all equally difficult to apply.

It gives the size they come in on the SMS website, the Renaissance sheet I have is the same size as the SMS sheet.

How did you ruin it? Did you touch it after you put setting solution on?

Ray

no.. this time, i set the decal in the water, and it rolled up and cracked .. is there any way i can prevent this from happening next time?

I set the decal in water only for a second, then lay it on a wet sponge....this prevents it curling up as it is laying flat.
If you lay a decal in water it can curl up too easily.

C/F decal is not super flexible which is probably why it cracked when the backing curled up.

Have you applied a lot of decals before?

Ray

ya ive applied many decals.. On my NSX it was complete decals, and i only had minor messups.... But this decal was soo incredible brittle, i couldn't believe it.... and everytime i would be more careful.. i would mess it up.. and id ruin it.....

should i buy new ones, or just paint it black?