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Walkway decals on DRAGONS " SMART KIT 1/350 ships

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  • Member since
    August 2008
Walkway decals on DRAGONS " SMART KIT 1/350 ships
Posted by tankerbuilder on Thursday, December 29, 2011 6:25 PM

I somehow have managed to amass a large amount of DRAGON smart kits . Most are 1/350 and some are " GASP " 1/700 . Only one is by someone else ,in " gasp " that tiny scale . Now , how is your luck in putting down these decals in place .any sticking , tearing or frosting happening ? If so how bad ? Should I not use them and just paint solid walkways as I usually do .REMEMBER , most of my ships are for my pleasure NOT the show  table ,  Thank you for your input----tankerbuilder

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: EG48
Posted by Tracy White on Thursday, December 29, 2011 8:26 PM

Keep in mind that the real things took a beating and it's not abnormal to see missing or chipped "steps" in the pattern, so a little tear here and there might actually be a little more realistic. Wink Cut them into smaller, more manageable pieces and make sure to clear-coat the deck like you would for any decal.

Tracy White Researcher@Large

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Saturday, December 31, 2011 5:14 PM

Hey , thanks TRACY .The idea of missing or torn sections would,ve jumped right at me years ago .Thanks for reminding me .I will now be able to NOT worry about it . I always do coat everything clear flat after mounting .That way everything matches . The smaller ships , CANS and super-cANS (that,s what I call them i.e.The FORREST SHERMAN CLASS TYPES ) I was on all had solid walkways instead of the little sectional ones . Catchya Later -- Tankerbuilder .

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: EG48
Posted by Tracy White on Saturday, December 31, 2011 6:36 PM

Well, to be sure I' m not leading you astray, clear coat the deck with GLOSS before applying, using a flat coat first will lead to silvering. Then Flatcoat after the decals are down.

Tracy White Researcher@Large

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Harlan, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Posted by robtmelvin on Friday, January 6, 2012 3:08 PM

In addition to what Tracy said, its also easier, especially with the 1/350, to cut some of the larger ones into smaller sections and apply that way.  Learned that one the hard way.

Bob

Just launched:  Revell 1/249 U.S.S. Buckley w/ after market PE and guns.

Building: Italieri 1/35 P.T. 596 w/ Lion Roar PE.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Philippines
Posted by constructor on Monday, January 9, 2012 5:10 AM

Now that we are in the topic of walkways. I painted my Buchanan with the deck color and the walkway decals was swallowed by the color of the deck. What color should I have used?.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Monday, January 9, 2012 6:40 AM

constructor

Now that we are in the topic of walkways. I painted my Buchanan with the deck color and the walkway decals was swallowed by the color of the deck. What color should I have used?.

Should be 20-B Deck Blue.    The dark-gray tiles will be a similar tone but there will be a difference in hue

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: EG48
Posted by Tracy White on Monday, January 9, 2012 10:33 AM

They were pretty much the same color when applied, but weathered differently. You might try lightening or darkening the deck paint up a tad to bring them out a bit.

Tracy White Researcher@Large

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Harlan, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Posted by robtmelvin on Friday, January 13, 2012 11:56 AM

One thing I've read about, but never tried, it to use the kit decals for a template to cut sheets of fine sand paper, like emery paper, and apply them prior to painting the deck.  They apparently have the right texture for "non-skid" and look very realistic when laid down, painted and then finished off with dull coat.  As I said, I've only read about this technique, never tried it, but I do have several Dragon DD's in the stash and I think I'll give it a try on one of them to see how it works out.

Bob

Just launched:  Revell 1/249 U.S.S. Buckley w/ after market PE and guns.

Building: Italieri 1/35 P.T. 596 w/ Lion Roar PE.

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