How Do You Use Your Decals?

[Dr. Cranky]

I know it sounds like one of those crazy questions, but I beg you to think about it seriously. This is not a question about HOW-TO-APPLY decals, but rather how you use them.

Do you use them for the original model, or do you cut them up and use them as needed in other projects?

The reason why I am asking is that I'm interested in finding out from everyone who might have done it, if it's okay to put decals that were intended for say a Gasser or Funny Car and put them on a Street Machine, or some other style of racing vehicle.

Just trying to get a consensus of what you've done with your decals in the past.

Thanks in advance to considering the question and for commenting.

[Mr. Moparman]

I save what i dont use for that day where I might want to add small detail, you know.

[Dr. Cranky]

Well, let me see if I can focus a little bit more. I have cool sheet of THE OLD PRO decals that came with an AMT 69 NOVA kit and I want to retro fit them to something else, say a 41 Willys and turn it into a Phantom Gasser. Is that possible? Is it allowed? Or the fact that the colors and markings give away that it's from another vehicle, another era?

['08SEAL]

I use them for the model they came with if I want. The spares I save for the other models.

[JustBill]

Is it allowed? Where's the rule book Doc? I say go for it. If it doesn't look good to you, you can always remove them.

I save all my decals in case I come across a build that I think would look good with them. Doesn't really matter to me what kit they came from.

[SuperStockAndy]

I save mine in an old model box (Revell '55 Chevy Pro Sportsman to be exact). I have a bunch of sponsor decals, which I need for my drag cars.

[Danno]

Is that possible?

Is it allowed?

Possible? Quite.

Allowed? Dunno. You'd have to check with your local chapter of IPMS for their ruling.

[scaleauto]

I say go for it. Doc I love your work.

[ffreak]

I think it's perfectly fine to use your decals on whatever project you choose. I mean it's your own personal interpretation on that kit. It should be your free choice. I also save every unused decal for any future use in a tupperware shoe box with packets of silica to keep the moisture down in order to preserve them.

[RTK434]

The beauty of building a model is you can do what ever you want to it.

That being said I try very hard to make sure the decals are of the era of the car I'm building. If it's a drag car built as it would have been campainged in the say early 60's the decals should be of the same era. Most of the aftermarket companies have changed there logo many times over the years. I like to use the version from the era I'm modeling. Also some brands either were not around at the time or may not have made any parts that would have been used on that style race car. Growing up around drag cars and racing since I could drive makes me extra fussy about this subject.

[diymirage]

one thing i like to do is scan the decal onto the computer, then change it and reprint it

here are a few of my best pieces of work

(i believe you are familiar with these) but for those who dont know

the panel decals on the sheet where solid yellow with a red border

i kept the red border and replaced the solid yellow with some amber panels i thought would look better on the car

here i took the stock strobe stripe and added a GTX graphic i found online to give it a more modern look

i know this doesnt awnser your question but it is how i use my decals

[Dr. Cranky]

Wow, you guys are setting my imagination free. FREE, I tell you! Oh, you know there's going to be trouble ahead! Love it.

I keep all my decals in one of those big photo albums in a dark and dry drawer!

[Peter Lombardo]

Virgil, I am a little surprised with you here............you of all people should know that anything goes in this hobby. Ask 5 guys and you will get 5 different ways to do something...and all 5 ways work fine. There is no right or wrong way to do anything if it makes you happy. Have you forgotten, this is a hobby, this is for fun....this isn't real life. I rarely use decals (unless I am building a race car) so I have a large stack that every now and again gives up one piece that I need.

[Mr. Moparman]

Dr, with you and EYEGORE, there is always trouble!

[Dr. Cranky]

I know, Peter, but I thought perhaps since I am thinking of building some gassers and funny cars that there were specific rules concerning signage, names, etc . . .

[LDO]

Just 3 more and you'll hit 7,500

[diymirage]

only thing i can reccomend is do your homework Doc

take the goodyear logo for instance

there is nothing wrong with putting it on a gasser

but

if you intend to build a gasser as it ran in the early 60s and you put on the revised goodyear logo like they started using in 82, well, you can do better then that

so other then period correctness i would go for it

[LDO]

Eh. Seven minutes or less. Not bad.

[Dr. Cranky]

Lee, I'm delighted to see you are into numerology like EYEGORE is! I can't wait for 7,666, those are going to be my lucky LOTTO number! LOL!

[Dr. Cranky]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I am beginning to hear a consensus about it all, thank you.

[george 53]

Actually,Virge, I don't use 'em. Unless they are specific to the car, like ID type decals, i don't use them.I don't put stickers or decals on my real cars, so unless they're REALLY spiffy like the old JoHan Cop car, it had a "Support Your Local Police" bumper decal, that I've always thought was cool, I don't tend to use 'em. But hey, the guys are right, do YOUR thing Brother, an don't worry wat anybody thinks, you build 'em for YOU!

[ranma]

I my self used the stripe decales from the 76 caprice (round 2) on a IH 4300. G.T.O pinstripes on a peterbuilt. coca cola decs on a 55 and a 64 chevy pu. flame decs from a 69 nova on a 99 silverado.

[David G.]

Really Doc? You use baby doll heads and scorpion tails as trim accessories on model cars and you're worried about the "proper" use of decals?

But yes some of the others do bring up good points about period appropriate logos, etc., but other than that... the rest is up to you!

David G.

[Dr. Cranky]

David, that just CRACKED me up and started my Monday off in the right direction, thank you!

[Junkman]

Actually,Virge, I don't use 'em. Unless they are specific to the car, like ID type decals, i don't use them.I don't put stickers or decals on my real cars, so unless they're REALLY spiffy like the old JoHan Cop car, it had a "Support Your Local Police" bumper decal, that I've always thought was cool, I don't tend to use 'em. But hey, the guys are right, do YOUR thing Brother, an don't worry wat anybody thinks, you build 'em for YOU!

X2

Most of the decals that come with the kits are useless anyway. I mean, come on, 'Moroso', or 'Edelbrock', or sum such. How riff raff. Why don't they include real life stuff, like 'Jesus Loves You', or 'Backwood Baptist Church', or 'Groverville Soccer Club', or, a bit more nostalgic, 'Nixon Is The One' (would look ace on a 60s Caddy or Lincoln bumper).