Decal Set/Solvent question

[924_CarreraGTS]

I have a few Le Mans and rally cars which I will be building sometime in the near future. I have never applied a large, complex decal scheme, but I can easily see that the decals will need some help in adhering to the various curves/details in the bodies of these cars. I have Micro-Set and Micro-Sol, and have used them successfully with small decals. My question is, will these fluids harm large decals? The models are by Tamiya, Revell AG, and Hasegawa, if that helps.

[tigeraid]

Originally Posted by 924_CarreraGTS

I have a few Le Mans and rally cars which I will be building sometime in the near future. I have never applied a large, complex decal scheme, but I can easily see that the decals will need some help in adhering to the various curves/details in the bodies of these cars. I have Micro-Set and Micro-Sol, and have used them successfully with small decals. My question is, will these fluids harm large decals? The models are by Tamiya, Revell AG, and Hasegawa, if that helps.

I tell ya, I'm a believer in them now, after using them for the first time. I used it on the big goofy looking decal that's supposed to be T-Tops on a Camaro SS. I was fixing a decal, so I only used the Micro-Sol, as well. After several coats giving time to dry in between, it worked perfectly. These aren't QUITE as bad as the ones on the rally cars might be, but still pretty large and flat. I suspect it'll be fine.

[stevenoble]

I must admit when I first started building car models about 15 years ago I used to keep away from the complicated colour schemes with loads of decals.But now with products like the microsol and set that you mention I am much more confident in placing my decals.Sure some of them are still challenging to do but if you take your time let the products do their thing you should have no problems at all.On all the models I have built I have never known them to harm decals.Use the micro set first let the decal dry and sometimes that will be enough.It's only the more complicated decals that will require the use of the micro sol.Which models are you building??

[924_CarreraGTS]

Originally Posted by stevenoble

Which models are you building??

The Tamiya Mercedes CLK-GTR (D2/Warsteiner, not Sportswear)
The Revell AG Corvette C5-R
The Hasegawa Lancia Stratos San Remo winner (Pirelli livery)

It will be a while before I get around to starting these. I want to get a little more skilled with finishes, etc. before I do these race cars. I'm good with tiny details, but paint is not my specialty; I'm improving massively, though.

However, I have handbuilt an engine for the Stratos, since it didn't come with one. I still have some work to do (mostly repairs, because I got some new pictures that shed some light on a few errors), and I might post a WIP thread of me finishing that. Someday I will actually build the car itself. I should motivate myself by taking pictures tonight...

They are all great models, and loads better than the Monogram Ford Thundebird NASCAR that I once built without Micro-Set/Sol...the decals cracked badly and flaked off. (that was my fault...but the rest of the model was not good either)

I shall have victory with these cars! I love the CLK-GTR, and am very excited to see it in 3D. It is a beautiful and insanely fast-looking machine.

Thanks for the help.

[stevenoble]

I have built the Tamiya Mercedes CLK-GTR already.I don't think you will have too many problems with the decals on this one they go on well,onto mainly flat surfaces.The only ones I had a few problems with were the number boards on the sides (circled below) I got a few wrinkles in them but a few coats of the micro sol sorted them out.The rest are fairly straight forward to apply.I think I only used the Micro sol on the number '10' on the front wing to lay it into the crease and the 'Warsteiner' that runs down the sides,just enough to seat it over the curves and into the grooves.The rest I just used micro set only.



I haven't built the Pirelli sponsored Lancia Stratos yet,but I have it in my stock pile.I think again they should go on very well.Most are pretty flat surfaces.The only reservations I have on this one are do I paint the red areas or use the decals? Still undecided as yet.
I had a quick look for the Corvette C5-R as I haven't got that kit.Is it the yellow Daytona version you have or the Le Mans one? It looks a nice model.

[924_CarreraGTS]

Originally Posted by stevenoble

I have built the Tamiya Mercedes CLK-GTR already.
The only reservations I have on this one are do I paint the red areas or use the decals? Still undecided as yet.
I had a quick look for the Corvette C5-R as I haven't got that kit.Is it the yellow Daytona version you have or the Le Mans one? It looks a nice model.

The CLK-GTR looks very good. Did you do any wiring/plumbing detail?
I plan to paint the red on the Stratos; seems like it would be easier, and the other decals would cover the seams, I think.
The Corvette is all yellow; it is the Le Mans car. I'm not typing this at my house or else I would look to see which number it is. (I think you can do it as two different numbers). It is indeed a very nice kit; good roll cage and such to where the body is designed to lift off. Full detail under the hood and in back, detailed wheels, very nice decals (the carbon fiber for the fuel rail covers looks almost as good as SMS), nice interior, etc. I'm looking forward to building it. Thanks for the help!

[stevenoble]

Originally Posted by 924_CarreraGTS

The CLK-GTR looks very good. Did you do any wiring/plumbing detail

I built the CLK-GTR straight from the box,I didn't add any detail wires or anything as I wanted to display it with the engine cover in the closed position.