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.