project510
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Post by project510 on Dec 15, 2023 14:47:56 GMT -5
Another decal session, more disasters. This time however, I noticed improvement in my technique. I also think I have found some outside factors making it harder. So its weird, the kit is new so decals should be good but One decal will slide off perfect, the next will ear to shreds its very confusing. I think it may be my cold garage? I start with warm water, but by the time the 2nd decal is being applied, water is cold, and the garage is cold. Maybe since its odorless I move inside when doing these to see if there is a difference. Also, I tried multiple setting solutions. Micro sol seemed to work best. The Mr Mark Softener seemed to totally nuke the decals. Also noticed I was moving them too much and not getting the setting solution or water out after it was set in place. I went SUPER slow, used Micro Sol and got rid of the water on this last one and looks better. I think in a warmer setting, going slow.. I may be on to something. Good thing I have the extra decal page since I bought a 2nd kit. I also bought the Indy Cals decal set but decided not to use them so I have a 3rd backup.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Dec 15, 2023 15:33:01 GMT -5
I think Indycals are easier to use than Tamiya. However I haven’t had any horrible luck with newer Tamiya decals either. One thing I do, if I know I’m headed for a long decal session, is to fill an insulated mug with warm water. Then I have a bigger empty bowl and my decal bowl. So every time my water gets cold I dump it in the big bowl and refill it with my insulated warm water. I should just get a mug warmer but haven’t yet.
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project510
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Post by project510 on Dec 15, 2023 15:36:56 GMT -5
I think Indycals are easier to use than Tamiya. However I haven’t had any horrible luck with newer Tamiya decals either. One thing I do, if I know I’m headed for a long decal session, is to fill an insulated mug with warm water. Then I have a bigger empty bowl and my decal bowl. So every time my water gets cold I dump it in the big bowl and refill it with my insulated warm water. I should just get a mug warmer but haven’t yet. This is such a simple but genius idea. Also, now that you bring up both of these options.. I have one of those coffee cup warmers I used to use in my office that my wife stole to melt her candles... That would also work. If I recall it was like $6 at Wal-Mart back in the day. Id rather have one less thing plugged in so I will use the insulated bottle. We have so many. Thanks!
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Post by kyledehart5 on Dec 15, 2023 15:42:55 GMT -5
I think Indycals are easier to use than Tamiya. However I haven’t had any horrible luck with newer Tamiya decals either. One thing I do, if I know I’m headed for a long decal session, is to fill an insulated mug with warm water. Then I have a bigger empty bowl and my decal bowl. So every time my water gets cold I dump it in the big bowl and refill it with my insulated warm water. I should just get a mug warmer but haven’t yet. This is such a simple but genius idea. Also, now that you bring up both of these options.. I have one of those coffee cup warmers I used to use in my office that my wife stole to melt her candles... That would also work. If I recall it was like $6 at Wal-Mart back in the day. Id rather have one less thing plugged in so I will use the insulated bottle. We have so many. Thanks! Glad if I could help! I have done far too many decals. Lol. One reason I haven’t gotten one of the mug warmers is because I don’t want to find somewhere to plug it in. Just be careful pouring your new water! I have one bottle that actually pours pretty nicely so I use it every time
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project510
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Post by project510 on Dec 18, 2023 22:47:38 GMT -5
Kyle's tip with the warm water container worked great. Still had trouble with some so I tried the indy cals and they were much easier, but I noticed they were not die-cut as well as the Tamiyas which I was not prepared for until after I had cut them. So I had lots of extra clear decal parts.
I got enough of the decals put down to clear the main body and instantly had new issues. Maybe I didnt clean it well enough, or had too many different kinds of setting solutions but the clear bubbled like crazy. I tried a few more cots to level it out but oh well. No pics yet, Ive been sanding it down to try to reduce the damage. Well see how it goes after sanding and polishing.
I think I jsut need to get this kit finished and move on. Its been a huge learning experience. I have two other F1 kits I will also have to further practice. I am for sure going to buyself the Mclaren Mp4/4 and jsut hold onto it until I am 100% ready.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Dec 18, 2023 23:10:17 GMT -5
Kyle's tip with the warm water container worked great. Still had trouble with some so I tried the indy cals and they were much easier, but I noticed they were not die-cut as well as the Tamiyas which I was not prepared for until after I had cut them. So I had lots of extra clear decal parts. I got enough of the decals put down to clear the main body and instantly had new issues. Maybe I didnt clean it well enough, or had too many different kinds of setting solutions but the clear bubbled like crazy. I tried a few more cots to level it out but oh well. No pics yet, Ive been sanding it down to try to reduce the damage. Well see how it goes after sanding and polishing. I think I jsut need to get this kit finished and move on. It’s been a huge learning experience. I have two other F1 kits I will also have to further practice. I am for sure going to buyself the Mclaren Mp4/4 and jsut hold onto it until I am 100% ready. For the future. I do prefer Indycals decals over Tamiya. And I should’ve mentioned it. But his decals are not die cut at all. You must trim extremely close to the color. Again, I am sorry I didn’t mention that before. I take it as a given after suing so many sets, but I don’t think of others who have not. What kind of clear coat did you use? Was it just bubbles in the clear or did the decals get damaged as well? These kits are a lot of fun but do pose a different set of possible issues with all the decal work. I still think you’ve done great work on this build.
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project510
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Post by project510 on Dec 19, 2023 11:44:26 GMT -5
There is no need to apologize, its not your fault! I bought these decals before I even signed up at MSC lol. I should have done more research instead of assuming they are all cut the same way. Also, bubbles is the wrong word to describe my issue. It was more like heavy orange peel. It wasn't cold, and I warmed up the clear coat. It went smooth on the coats after... so I assumed it was just from something on the model when I first put it down.
Again, I'm not really upset. Its all part of the learning experience. I have to remind myself that 1. This is my first F1 kit. 2. This is the hardest thing I have ever built and 3. Besides the Saturn V I just built for my son I have not built anything besides two very quick car builds for his room in like 20 years.. Im still a rookie! haha
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Post by kyledehart5 on Dec 19, 2023 15:00:32 GMT -5
There is no need to apologize, its not your fault! I bought these decals before I even signed up at MSC lol. I should have done more research instead of assuming they are all cut the same way. Also, bubbles is the wrong word to describe my issue. It was more like heavy orange peel. It wasn't cold, and I warmed up the clear coat. It went smooth on the coats after... so I assumed it was just from something on the model when I first put it down. Again, I'm not really upset. Its all part of the learning experience. I have to remind myself that 1. This is my first F1 kit. 2. This is the hardest thing I have ever built and 3. Besides the Saturn V I just built for my son I have not built anything besides two very quick car builds for his room in like 20 years.. Im still a rookie! haha I know, it was just something I could've easily mentioned. Because the Indycals decals are a bit of a different animal than the Tamiya ones. I hope you can get the clear coat cleaned up to your liking. And for the amount of time you have had back in the hobby you are doing a phenomenal job. I've really enjoyed following along with your build.
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project510
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Post by project510 on Dec 19, 2023 19:58:53 GMT -5
There is no need to apologize, its not your fault! I bought these decals before I even signed up at MSC lol. I should have done more research instead of assuming they are all cut the same way. Also, bubbles is the wrong word to describe my issue. It was more like heavy orange peel. It wasn't cold, and I warmed up the clear coat. It went smooth on the coats after... so I assumed it was just from something on the model when I first put it down. Again, I'm not really upset. Its all part of the learning experience. I have to remind myself that 1. This is my first F1 kit. 2. This is the hardest thing I have ever built and 3. Besides the Saturn V I just built for my son I have not built anything besides two very quick car builds for his room in like 20 years.. Im still a rookie! haha I know, it was just something I could've easily mentioned. Because the Indycals decals are a bit of a different animal than the Tamiya ones. I hope you can get the clear coat cleaned up to your liking. And for the amount of time you have had back in the hobby you are doing a phenomenal job. I've really enjoyed following along with your build. I really appreciate that. I think its because for the first time I have a steady living situation and my own space. I can start and stop when I need to. Research, there is no rush to finish. Also, this place has a TON of inspiration so its easy to want to get better haha.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Dec 19, 2023 21:52:20 GMT -5
I know, it was just something I could've easily mentioned. Because the Indycals decals are a bit of a different animal than the Tamiya ones. I hope you can get the clear coat cleaned up to your liking. And for the amount of time you have had back in the hobby you are doing a phenomenal job. I've really enjoyed following along with your build. I really appreciate that. I think it’s because for the first time I have a steady living situation and my own space. I can start and stop when I need to. Research, there is no rush to finish. Also, this place has a TON of inspiration so it’s easy to want to get better haha. I know that feeling well. It’s nice. Happy for you. And you’re exactly right about this place. Inspiration in every post!
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paddy
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Sept 1, 2023 10:16:31 GMT -5
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Post by paddy on Dec 20, 2023 4:14:32 GMT -5
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project510
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Post by project510 on Dec 20, 2023 11:20:28 GMT -5
Thats what I had previously but the wife stole it for herself!
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Post by 406 Silverado on Dec 20, 2023 11:41:14 GMT -5
This is what I like about this community......the helpfulness. I have always just used cold tap water for decals but will be using the warmer water in moving forward. Hang with 'er James. This one is looking good.
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paddy
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Post by paddy on Dec 21, 2023 18:49:49 GMT -5
Warm water softens the decal and more importantly softens and activates the glue on the decal
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project510
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Post by project510 on Jan 6, 2024 13:47:11 GMT -5
So this tamiya 3 step polish is really saving this kit. In this first photo you can see how bad the paint is. There was so much orange peel I had to do quite a bit of sanding, and still didnt get rid of it all. The polish brough back most of the shine. I may try some meguir's plastic polish as a final step.. but at least it looks decent now. With a better starting point, this polish would really bring out the depth of the color and give it that wet look. Its a lot of work, but I will be using this stuff every chance I get.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Jan 6, 2024 14:31:04 GMT -5
Excellent work!! I’ve never used that stuff but looks like it’s working well.
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maverick
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Jan 24, 2023 20:42:43 GMT -5
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Post by maverick on Jan 6, 2024 17:00:48 GMT -5
Nice job on this .It's really starting to shape up!! For future reference... I like to cut the paint and apply a coat of clear so I have a flat shiny surface for the decals to lay on. Then clear over the decals. Cut again and buff. Eliminates the chance for orang peel under the decal that you cant remove with sanding...Its an extra two steps but it makes a HUGE difference. Helps the decals to lay flat with very little chance for silvering too. They like a flat shiny surface to adhere too.
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project510
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Post by project510 on Jan 6, 2024 22:46:34 GMT -5
Nice job on this .It's really starting to shape up!! For future reference... I like to cut the paint and apply a coat of clear so I have a flat shiny surface for the decals to lay on. Then clear over the decals. Cut again and buff. Eliminates the chance for orang peel under the decal that you cant remove with sanding...Its an extra two steps but it makes a HUGE difference. Helps the decals to lay flat with very little chance for silvering too. They like a flat shiny surface to adhere too. This is a great tip. And probably worth the effort. Thank you!
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