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Anyone making F-20 decals?

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Anyone making F-20 decals?
Posted by plasticjunkie on Friday, July 24, 2015 5:02 PM

I'm working on the old Monogram 1/48 F-20 Tigershark in the Anthracite Metallic Gray scheme. The decals are no good. Even though they look excellent on the sheet, once you put them in the water they turn a milky opaque white and the adhesive flakes off. They are as thick as scotch tape. I have searched for AM decals but must assume that no one makes any since I found squat.

Any ideas or suggestions welcomed.  

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Friday, July 24, 2015 5:46 PM

Did you actually apply the decal and let it set on the model?  I built an old Monogram Harrier with the decals that did the same thing (same vintage...mid 80's kit).  I thought they were gonna be total garbage.  But once they were applied and set they actually looked really good.

Or you could wait a bit.  Since a new F-20 model just came out I'll bet there will be a few companies like Caracal that will probably make some.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Friday, July 24, 2015 6:18 PM

Fly

These decals are garbage. They will peel off eventually. I recently did an F-5 and the decals did the same thing. I even used Future to attach them but they began peeling within a month. I did see that Freedom Models is coming out with a 1/48 Tigershark. This is frustrating.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by Silver on Friday, July 24, 2015 6:41 PM
It's probably to late now but I the future spray a light coat of testors gloss coat let dry over night ..Spray the decal sheet.
  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by Silver on Friday, July 24, 2015 6:42 PM
Testors is 80% from the 80's .Thats why it will work.
  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Friday, July 24, 2015 7:43 PM

Alrighty.  I guess I just had good luck with that Harrier.  I thought for sure those decals were ruined.

That FM F-20 looks pretty good.  I may be getting one.

  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by Silver on Friday, July 24, 2015 8:28 PM
The testors dullcoat method helped me w/my F-20.
  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by Silver on Friday, July 24, 2015 8:30 PM
Ask the company called "Draw Decals" if they can make a set for you.Its worth a try.
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, July 24, 2015 11:07 PM

Or you can do a "what if" build like I did and use some F-5 decals...

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Saturday, July 25, 2015 5:59 AM
Looks really good stik but I did the metallic grey prototype scheme.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Saturday, July 25, 2015 6:58 AM
I had heard that the gray color was a BMW color.
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Saturday, July 25, 2015 3:32 PM

Depends what article you read. One says BMW gray and another says Mercedes gray. I used the MM Anthracite Metallic Gray which is close enough in my book.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, July 26, 2015 12:50 AM

A friend of mine was an aerospace engineer at Nothrop and involved with the F-20 project. He told me that at one point, one of the prototypes was indeed in BMW Gray. He is currently involved with JSF, and also worked on the Super Hornet program.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Sunday, July 26, 2015 2:35 PM

I apologize, PJ, please don't take me wrong, it wasn't a critique as much as I thought it was cool that an aerospace company used automotive paint. Good luck with the decals, and I look forward to seeing it done!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Sunday, July 26, 2015 6:44 PM

No apologies needed Mississippi, no worries. I was trying to get the correct shade for it and several articles I read named the BMW paint as Stik and you mentioned and a couple others called it a Mercedes Benz color. I personally believe it was the BMW metallic color and the MM Anthracite Metallic Gray enamel is supposed to be a close match to it according to what I read.

Fly-n-high was gracious in offering a spare decal sheet from his stash and just maybe those will be in better shape than mine. What gets me is that the decals look absolutely brand spanking new, as if they were made yesterday. Once they touch water it becomes a disaster.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Sunday, July 26, 2015 9:55 PM

Doh! I completely forgot that I still have my kit decals in the decal bin. If the replacements from Fly self destruct, I'll be more than happy to send you mine. As you saw I won't be needing them... Silly me for forgetting...

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Monday, July 27, 2015 2:44 PM

Thanks stik. I hope Fly's will work if not I'll be letting you know and thanks again buddy!

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 3:52 PM

Fly asked me to post some pictures so this is where I'm at and praying the decals will work!

The pit is very nice. The seat has tons of details.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

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