Scale Motorsport Carbon Fibre Decal

[freakray]

Hey all,
I was hoping some of you would be able to give me some pointers on using the Scale Motorsport Carbon Fibre Decal sheets.
So far I am not having much luck with the stuff, I am applying it over some pretty complex curves though. I tried MicroSol and MicroSet and neither seem to be much help. This decal sheet also seems to be the thinnest decal ever made.
If there are any tips you may have, or any ideas on how to get this stuff to conform to curves and the like, I would be very happy to hear them.
Thanks in advance.
Ray

[flyonthewall]

What exactly is the problem Ray? I've never used these decals but they're highly rated, as far as i know they work well with those solutions and the rule with them is to apply then leave!..That means DONT TOUCH! Its very tempting to start fiddling when you see wrinkles appear but that's normal, just let it dry out and the wrinkles should dissapear. Apply more solution if needed after this stage.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I've used them too, and the key to success is to be patient. You have to use Micro Set and Micro Sol, or they'll never conform. I've found that multiple applications of Micro Sol to be necessary, just lay it on wet over the decal, then let the decal dry or better yet-use a hairdryer to shrink it into place. Again you may need to use the Micro Sol a few times for the complete effect, and after it's done it's best to put the part in a dehydratror. The hair dryer/heat helps the process.

I had trouble w/the decals cracking, and took them to the owner of Scale Motorsports at a show, told him what was happening, and he gave me a new sheet that work fine. Some batches will work better than others.

Experiment w/the decal material you have over several kinds of parts to make sure that you are spending enough time w/the solvents. If they don't work, I'd suggest calling Matthew Wells, owner of Scale Motorsports, for further advice.

[freakray]

Chris,
They are just so diificult to work with because they are so thin, and I think brittle. I really like the fact that the C/F looks to scale, especially when you set it aside the C/F seat back decals that come in Tamiya kits.
I think my major thing, from what Zoom-Zoom is telling me, is to be patient.
Thanks for the great advice Zoom-Zoom, you are really are a wealth of useful knowledge

Ray

[daggerlee]

Could air bubbles be messing things up? Try pressing it flat with a q-tip soaked in warm water..

[freakray]

Daggerlee,
Thanks, but that is not realy a worry, bubbles I can solve
I think Zoom-Zoom has answered everything I could have thought of and then some, thanks again to him.
Thanks for the tip though Daggerlee, you can never know too much

Ray

[935k3]

They are brittle because they are made with metallic inks. I used them on the Toyota GT-One and I had allot of trouble with them. I ended up using white glue under allot of them to get them to stick. I have a tip that works better than the hair drier and solvents. Get a cloth or tissue and run it under the faucet with the hottest water you have, then damp out the excess water. Then press the hot cloth/tissue against the decal firmly, it will conform instantly. This works better thany anything I have ever tried.

[Veyron]

looks to scale, especially when you set it aside the C/F seat back decals that come in Tamiya kits.

If you are referring to the decals that come in race car kits, they are accurate. The carbon/kevlar weave in those seats is VERY large, Tamiya's decals are just right.

[freakray]

Veyron,
Yes, it is large, but are you telling me that the weave in the Sparco and Recaro seat is actually 24mm wide?
it looks closer to a 5 or 10mm weave to me in the photos I have seen.
Admittedly it is a larger weave then the doors or dash C/F, but it is still not that large.

Ray

EDIT: Most of Tamiya's seatbacks are correct, but I think there are some that are suspect