Need some advice on applying decals

[Marco_Wrc]

It seems that finding a good tutorial about applying decals is very hard.(for me at least)
So, i will bother you guys with a few questions on it.

How do decals work. What sort of stuff is it. I found out it's not a sticker (i tried to remove the tamiya logo from the decal sheet with a hobby knive, didn't work)

Today i found a tutorial about applying decals on eggs (yes, chicken eggs). Maybe you could have a look at it http://members.tripod.com/~LuJS/Decals.html
is that good information? or is it useless. I found some information about water decals as well.
I think i should cut out the decal, dip it into some warm water, and than.... dunno.

Ok, you see, i don't know a thing about decals. Desperately need some help before i ruin my model.
I am about to work on the wheels. Maybe you could give some extra tips on that (those decals look very very small, looks like mission impossible)

Thanks in advance.

[ales]

Aren't there any instructions in the kit concerning decals?

Anyway, there are different approaches. One is to put the CUT OUT decal into warm water for about 20 -30 seconds (please don't dip the whole decal sheet at once, cut out the decal that you need and do so one-by-one). Another one is to dip the decal and put it somewhere so that water is absorbed by the backing paper. This is the start. The rest can be read on Dan''s page in the FAQ section.

You might want to practice on the decals that will not be used in the kit.

Hope this helps and good luck

Alex

[hirofkd]

Perhaps, you want to specify which stage of decal application you have a problem with, and guys will come up with bunch of helpful advice, I think.
Anyway, here's how I apply a water slide decal.

1) Trim the excess carrying film around the decal with a sharp hobby knife. (I'm using OLFA.)
2) Cut around the image with scissors
3) Submerge the decal into water (or warm water), until the decal gets loose.
4) Pick it up with tweezers, and place it on the desired location.
5) Use a Q-tip to hold a part of the decal, and let the excess water go.
6) Roll the Q-tip while gently applying pressure on the decal to remove the whole excess water.
6.5) You may moisten the Q-tip, so that the decal won't stick to it.

This works for small or large decals. Difference is that the rolling a Q-tip part. You may want to roll sideways, or radial direction from the center depending on the size.

I hope this helps.

[Marco_Wrc]

Originally posted by hirofkd
Perhaps, you want to specify which stage of decal application you have a problem with, and guys will come up with bunch of helpful advice, I think.
Anyway, here's how I apply a water slide decal.

... ...

This works for small or large decals. Difference is that the rolling a Q-tip part. You may want to roll sideways, or radial direction from the center depending on the size.

I hope this helps.

While you where typing this i just tried what i thought was right.
And it worked, it's easier than i imagined. A pair of tweezers and a sharp hobby knive does the trick.

Result: a beautiful fire extinguisher for in the car :smoker2:

Thanks for your advice

[nismo kid]

This is also important if you want your decal to stick well and look good. Don't apply decals to matt or semi-gloss surfaces, they don't adhere well and it leaves a silvery border around it (where it hasn't stuck properly) and doesn't look very good.

If I ever need to place a decal on a matt or semi-gloss surface i put a small amout of gloss varnish where it needs to go, then put on the decal, then go over with either matt or semi-gloss varnish, depending on what it requires.

[4x4 Cactus]

You can also use Microsol, too bad there arent anyhere, also easy clean way to remove decals with out damaging the body is to use maskin tape. comes of easily