Applying body length decals?

[aurfalien]

Hi all,

I'm trying to finish a 1/24 Tamiya Alpine Renault 442B and am stuck at specific decals.

Mainly the black body length decals that go around the drivers area and end up the curvy tail.

After an hour and many wrinkles, I finally gingerly took off these particular decals and put them back on there original paper.

I plan on cutting in a few sections later this week for easier management.

How else would you all deal with very long decals when applied to curvy body sections?

[935k3]

Try putting some soapy water under them to move them easily. When in position press them with hot damp cloth to make them conform. You still might need a couple of small cuts.

[MeatMan]

Decal softening solution works to get them to conform to curves once you get them in position.

[Jantrix]

Decal softening solution works to get them to conform to curves once you get them in position.

Yep. That's the ticket.

[aurfalien]

Eh didn't work too well for me.

I've cut it in 2 pieces as there are too many curves for me to apply it w/o wrinkles.

 

 

 

[935k3]

You get no wrinkles and the decal is set instantly with the hot damp cloth.

[afx]

You get no wrinkles and the decal is set instantly with the hot damp cloth.

How hot do you make the cloth Dale?

[Jhedir6]

When I'm doing a long or wide decal I flood the area with the same water I'm using to soften the decals. I have a wide, about 1/2" brush, just a cheapy from the dollar store that I use to wet the entire area. Once the decal is on, I use more water, if necessary to allow the decal to "float" on the model. Once I have the decal placed more or less where I want it I then use either a damp cloth as suggested above or, recently I've switched over to make up wedges that you can also get at the dollar store really cheap. I keep a couple handy, 1 to remove most of the water then I swap them out for drier ones as I press out the remaining water. I'll also use Micro Sol products as needed pending on curves and panel lines to get the decal to sit down where needed. Just rinse and repeat till you're happy.

[935k3]

How hot do you make the cloth Dale?

I have a hot water pot they sell at Target(see below). I dip then damp off on a paper towel then press. I actually use tissues most of the time. I use a Q-tip for smaller areas. It works better than any solvent.

 

Edited April 26, 2016 by 935k3