discussion Tamiya Fireblade

[Andy T]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad you like it.


I've started on the decals but I'm having a pretty big issue that I've not come across before.

They are Cartograph, so not the typical thick Tamiya ones, but they don't want to come away from the backing paper, no matter how long I soak them.

The ones below had around 10 minutes altogether in tepid water. You can see on the lower one where the water has penetrated most of it, and that part of the decal slid around easily, but the end section, and the whole of the one above it were stuck fast. I had to peel them off very gingerly.

It's almost as if there's something on the back of the paper that's not allowing the water to soak in.



Has anyone come across something similar? Any ideas please?

 

[Tim Marlow]

Sorry Andy. Can’t help. Never had this with Cartograph before. They usually handle impeccably. Had this with the Honda CB, as I said on that thread, though, but thought they were Tamiya’s own. All I did was soak them for longer and they eventually came off. Maybe a drop or two of blue microset directly on the affected area might help water penetration?

 

[Jim R]

Strange. Perhaps gently roughing up the backing paper would allow the water to penetrate and release the decal.

 

[Andy T]

Thanks for the suggestions gents.

I seem to have found a workaround, similar to what you mention Jim. I pricked the back of the paper with a blade multiple times, and also scraped it.

That batch soaked up the water straight away and the decals were sliding after 30 seconds or so.

Fingers crossed

 

[Tim Marlow]

I’ll remember that one if I get the same issue in the future.

 

[Andy T]

I’ll remember that one if I get the same issue in the future.

It's the kind of thing that could only happen to me Tim

I've got a few on successfully now, plenty more to go

 

[Steven000]

Good to read you found a way Andy, looking good

 

[Tim Marlow]

It's the kind of thing that could only happen to me Tim

I've got a few on successfully now, plenty more to go

View attachment 1285443

I actually think that’s what happened to my Honda transfers, so I’m glad you cracked it…..

 

[Andy T]

Good to read you found a way Andy, looking good

I actually think that’s what happened to my Honda transfers, so I’m glad you cracked it…..

Maybe I spoke too soon 🫪

I intended to do the side fairings this morning before leaving for work. One side behaved perfectly, the other is stuck fast, despite both having exactly the same treatment.

It's a strange one but I'll persevere

 

[flyjoe180]

Weird behaviour from those Cartograf decals Andy.

 

[Andy T]

Well, what a palaver that turned out to be

I won't bore you with the full rigmarole but I can tell you that these decals have 4 layers of paper behind the blue backing. I know because I scraped them off, one by one, from each decal



Even then, some refused to soak through. This is one of the tank side covers where only half of the decal would come loose. I had to peel the remaining part away, with the inevitable damage & stretching that incurred.



But I finally got them all on, in a fashion. A few aren't great at all due to the rough handling they had but after a few coats of clear gloss I can get back to enjoying the build

 

[John Race]

Hi Andy, just showed this to you know who and she's very interested. Complimented you on the spraying and construction. Think she's about to

have a word with the committee.

Those decals have come out pretty well, considering how much pain they have been in getting the backing off.

John

 

[Stefee]

Well rescued, at least with the jagged splintered design who could say somethings not 100% correct.

 

[Andy T]

Thanks gents, it has certainly been trying my patience

This is the worst decal, on the side under the fuel tank (excuse my grubby finger marks!)

Maybe a bit of touching up will improve the appearance a bit