Tough getting these decals to conform

MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Tough getting these decals to conform

Posted by MikeV on Sunday, May 23, 2004 3:05 PM

Have any of you ever done the decals on the upper portions of the F-15E's tails?
It has been difficult to get these TwoBobs decals to conform to this area as there are protrusions sticking out at the back of the tail where this decal goes.
It is the Seymour Johnson "Chiefs" stripe that I am talking about.
I have used Micro Set, Micro Sol and even Solvaset and it still is not as good as I would like and when I do get it the way I want it either tears on the protrusion or the decal stripes are no longer straight because of the protrusion that it has to conform to.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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maddafinga

Member since
March 2003
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Posted by maddafinga on Sunday, May 23, 2004 9:11 PM

Hmmmm, that's an ugly situation there Mike. If the solvaset didn't do it, not much probably will. Have you considered cutting the decal to let the protrusion through, then just touch up painting whatever sticks out? That might be a workable last resort.

Madda Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle. -- Leonardo Da Vinci Tact is for those who lack the wit for sarcasm.--maddafinga

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Sunday, May 23, 2004 9:45 PM

I got them to lay down fairly well by using a small needle and poking it in a few high spots on the decal and then applying some more Micro Sol.
From a distance they look alright but up close like this photo you can see how they came apart in spots from all of the setting solution.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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maddafinga

Member since
March 2003
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Posted by maddafinga on Monday, May 24, 2004 8:24 AM

Yep, that kind of thing is a pain for sure. I'd keep slicing the air bubbles and put more sol on until they were all gone. Then I'd find that color of green and touch up lightly with a brush. The only other option I think would be to get an extra decal and cut it up to cover bare spots.

Overall though, it didn't look too bad Mike, I'm looking forward to seeing finished pics.

Madda Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle. -- Leonardo Da Vinci Tact is for those who lack the wit for sarcasm.--maddafinga

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 24, 2004 1:26 PM

Mike,

The end result looked pretty good to me. However, I recently tried putting some decals on using a hair dryer. I was skeptical, thinking the heat would just 'dry-out' the decal. It really softened the decal and make it conform to things really well. After the decal was softened, I found it pretty easy to just use a q-tip to push it down into the various ridges and curves. The decal stayed together quite well, and sorta just 'stretched' wherever it needed to go. May be worth a try if you're still having trouble.

Murray

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Monday, May 24, 2004 7:15 PM

Thanks Josh and Murray.
That hairdryer trick sounds interesting.
The problem with this area I posted the picture of is that if you get the area around the protrusion to lay down flat, then the white lines at either the top or the bottom tend to bend from the center conforming. I think color matching the green as Josh said would be the best bet as I used the extra decal already on this attempt. Big Smile [:D]

Josh,

I will get some pictures up when it's done but it will be a while still as there is still the weapons and landing gear to do and I am not a 4 hour a day modeler. Wink [;)]

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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maddafinga

Member since
March 2003
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Posted by maddafinga on Monday, May 24, 2004 9:37 PM

I'm the same way Mike. I'm under a great deal of deadline pressure every day at work, I don't need that at home too. Smile [:)]

Madda Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle. -- Leonardo Da Vinci Tact is for those who lack the wit for sarcasm.--maddafinga

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