Horrible Decals

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

I'm in the process of applying the decals to my Tamiya Lancaster and they are absolutely horrible, they come off the paper easy enough but if I try to adjust them into place they crumble. So far I have been able to patch up the breaks but does anyone have any ideas as to how to overcome this problem?

Adrian

[Guest]

I'd be tempted to give any suspect decals a coat of clear acrylic which will help the decals stay in one piece.

[Guest]

Adrian if they are fragile microscale do a Liquid Decal Film which may help in making the decal tougher. Not used it myself. Good idea to test first.

Also if they are that fragile I would just use water. The decal tends to float on water the microscale softens & does not have the tension of water.

Try the method I use which may have benefits. Cut right up to the leading edge you will lay on. Dampen & when it can just move place the decal 1mm from the edge the decal will assume. Slide the decal from the backing just 1mm into the final position. Lay the backing on the plastic. Holding the decal on the plastic with a toothpick etc. then gently pull the backing away & the decal will lay in its final position (I always hope). Forgot I brush water thinly in the decals position. You do not need much as the backing is damp & the decal lays down imeddiately onto the final position. Hope that all makes sense it really needs a video.

Laurie

[eddiesolo]

Sounds like the heat could causing issues too. Have noticed that decals once removed from the backing can dry out too much before final siting. One applied just leave one corner loose and use a small paint brush or your finger end to apply another drop of water so that it slides better until sited, once done use a sponge or tissue to dab-gently-dry.

Saying that, I have noticed that on some kits the decals supplied do seem to be rubbish of late, very cheap, slightly too thin and easily fragment.

Si

[Guest]

From a bit of research ... the water should be Luke warm, the decal shouldn't sit in the water too long or the adhesive factor on the rear during manufacture is lost.

It seems also that decals are being made a little thinner so as to be more supple and able to conform ton the surface of the model easier, it did say that this could lead to them disintegrating if left too long in a wet state.

[eddiesolo]

the water should be Luke warm

+1 on this, cold water can ruin them, adhesive will not work and the decal becomes un-workable, too hot and the adhesive spoils so Luke warm is best. As Colin says too much water can ruin it but a dab to keep the decal flowing once sited on the model should okay.

Si

[Guest]

John in the shop does a nice decal bath.

Just fill with water to the serated top on the little bath reservoir. Just enough to allow the backing to take up the water keeping the decal relativley dry ie the whole decal is not drowned in water there is just enough to penetrate the underneath of the backing. Works well may seem like a luxury item but it is worth the money & aleviation of frustration.

Actually with this little unit cold water is not an issue (providing it is not near freezing)..

Laurie

PS. Can any one tell me the rule for ley & ly forgotten it. The disadvantage of having a secretary type your letters you are left high & dry (decals again) when you have to write your own stuff & I like to get things absolute in their place. Thanks in expectation to the gramatical genius.

[eddiesolo]

Adding -ly

We often make an adverb by adding -ly to an adjective, for example: quick > quickly.

Spelling Rule

Just add -ly to the end of the adjective:

• coy > coyly
  
• loud > loudly
  
• beautiful > beautifully
  
• senseless > senselessly
  
• intelligent > intelligently
  

Exceptions

If the adjective ends in:	do this:	and add:	For example:
-ll	nothing	-y	full > fully
consonant + -le	remove the final -e	-y	terrible > terribly
-y (except 1-syllable adjectives)	remove the -y	-ily	happy > happily
Note: 1-syllable adjectives ending in -y are regular, except: day > daily gay > gaily

[Guest]

Hmmm, that sent me back to English Language class, often we had to recite that sort of thing to learn by rote.

Same in French, same in Latin, same in Chemistry and Physics with formulae ... glad i'm old now

[Guest]

Adding -ly

Thanks Eddie. I shall take to my bed much relieved. Before that I shall have to get my memory cells lined up. Thanks again for your time.

You are right Colin. My memory 123456789 10 11 12 times tables. Also bought & brought their & there etc in some saying or other. Jolly good way of getting it in there.

Failed in my case for ley & ly.

Laurie

[Dave W]

I'd bin them and get an after market set,

[Guest]

I'd bin them and get an after market set,

I'd second that motion

Tried Tamiya decals several times recently and found them terrible to work with. They cracked easily and just would not take to the model contours no matter how much microsol was applied. Started using Techmod and seem a lot better, not too sure about any other makes of aftermarket decals as yet. Can anyone recommend any?

As for soaking decals, I dip into the water and then place them on a ceramic tile for the water to absorbe without washing away the adhesive.

[Dave W]

Kits-world do some nice 1/48 decal sheets for the Lancaster.All with nose art.

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Thanks for all the advice, I'm managing to struggle along and do a little at a time, the wings are almost done and then its only the main fuselage to do, most of which aren't that big.

Adrian