decal question

[Guest]

I could not find a forum that meets this question nor could I find any answers on the internet. So I fiqured I would try here.

I am building a 1/12 Tamiya Porsche 910 racing car. The body consists of 3 major parts all removeable after assembly(bottom,front and back). The issue I am having is there is a decal that needs placed over the front and bottom.

How do I go about splitting the decal so I can seperate the two parts?

I am using Micro-Sol and Micro -set to apply the decals.

I am new to building models actually have learned alot of this forum and through trial and error. I just do not want to make a mistake that will ruin this model.

Attached is a pic so you can better understand what I am trying to do,the decal is the #28 on the side.

[ATTACH]47612.vB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]50519.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Guest]

Usually what I do is close all doors, hatches etc., then apply the decals, only make sure not to use micro-sol. Micro-set and warm water will be fine. Fit them around the curves, pay extra attention to correct placement at this stage, as there will only be very little margin for adjustment later on. When they are starting to set (not completely, just at the point were they stop moving around so easily and get a little tacky), you take a fresh scalpel blade and cut the decals, by running the blade gently through the centre of the seems. Normally I will hold the decal in place with a finger on the edge of the decal and press the blade through the thin film close to my finger and cut away from my finger, leaving just a small piece of it uncut. Then I'll move my finger to the other side of the starting point and snip the remaining by cutting in the opposite direction.

If you need to fine-tune the placement of the cut parts, add some more micro-set to loosen them up again and carefully move them. When most of the micro-set has evaporated you can add some micro-sol if necessary, I only do this if the decal cover very complex shapes or crisp textures and raised detail.

/Daniel

[Guest]

Thank you so much for the reply along with all the detail. I was not sure if I should cut the decal prior to placing or afterwards. Now I have a clear picture of what I need to do.

Can you shed some light on when or when not to add Micro-sol? I have been adding the Micro-sol to all of my decals. Is this necessary?

[Guest]

I only use micro-sol, when the decals need to cover, rivet-holes, complex shapes, grooves or textures like radiators, vents and such. Micro-sol is much more aggressive than Micro-set. It basically dissolves the decal preventing you from moving or touching the it but allowing it to settle in places were Micro-set or just plain water would leave pockets of air under the decal (and we don't want that). Micro-set just softens the decals slightly to make them conform more easily to curves, mixtures of convex and concave shapes and such.

On your build in general you might want to check out this guy David's WIP: 1/12 Tamiya porsche 910 :: BMC

Hopefully you'll get a heads-up on some of the challenges that you be presented with. Apparently the undercarriage and suspension parts of this kit tend to be on the weak side, so get your Alu. and brass rods cleaned and preped for strengthening

/Daniel

[HAWKERHUNTER]

I always use both without exception when applying decals. But thats just me.