How to apply the tiniest of decals..

Hi Charles,

Be sure to apply them to a glossy surface.

Try not to involve too much water or sol and hold the decal down while you wick off the wet.

When placing a series of decals right next to each other, try to take time between each to let them set one at a time. Like a day.

Some decal sets are a little crazy. You really don't need to add every stencil to a jet unless you feel like it.

A good pair of cross-lock needle nose tweezers is invaluable.

When I did my 1/350 Aircraft Carrier I built all 86 aircraft and made my own decals. I found using a damp 0/5 paint brush perfect for applying the very small decals. It worked so well I now have 3 different size paint brushes I use exclusively for decalling.

Nail biting patience while eagerly anticipating the finished result. Many the slip between cup and saucer.

I am in the midst of applying decals for 1:700 carrier planes.  Wow, are the stars tiny.

I had been applying them with fine point tweezers, but that has chipped a few decals.  I am now putting the paper against the aircraft surface and using the tweezers to push the decals onto the aircraft surface.  That is working better.

Wolfman_63

When I did my 1/350 Aircraft Carrier I built all 86 aircraft and made my own decals. I found using a damp 0/5 paint brush perfect for applying the very small decals. It worked so well I now have 3 different size paint brushes I use exclusively for decalling.

+1 I use paint brushes too.

Wolfman_63

When I did my 1/350 Aircraft Carrier I built all 86 aircraft and made my own decals. I found using a damp 0/5 paint brush perfect for applying the very small decals. It worked so well I now have 3 different size paint brushes I use exclusively for decalling.

 

Incredible work Wolfman_63! How did you make those decals?

I’ve used tweezers as well on larger decals, but I think I will have to try the damp brush method now. 

-

I carefully use the tip of my #11

Those A-7 's look outstanding

Galatians 2:16

Incredible work Wolfman_63! How did you make those decals?

 

I’ve used tweezers as well on larger decals, but I think I will have to try the damp brush method now. 

-

 

I just gathered photos of the actual aircraft and they scaled them to 1/350. I did it for all 86 aircraft. I also built one of each squadron in 1/48 scale  and used those for any images I could not find on the internet. You can see the entire build of the aircraft carrier at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-350-uss-carl-vinson/  There are many close up photos of the aircraft getting decals.

Here is one of the two sheets I made.

Tojo72

I carefully use the tip of my #11

Those A-7 's look outstanding

 

I use my blade too. Then roll a Q-tip over them to press them into place and push out the water under the decal. Or if they will not be seen (black stencil lettering against olive drab) I don't put them on.