Hello. I am nearly finished with my Italeri Mirage 2000c, i only need to put decals, but the thing is, i have never done that, how do i exactly put them on the airplane? What do i need? Water hot or cold? How long do i hold it in water? Do i stick it on the model with the glue i used to assemble the model? I have no clue…please help! Thanks in advance
cut each decal from the sheet and one at a time place the decal in a dish of lukewarm water for roughly 5 to 10 seconds - then remove decal from water and allow it to sit for around 30 seconds or so (until you are able to easily slide decal around on it’s paper backing with your finger). Then place decal (still on the paper) right next to the area where you want it on the model and carefully slide it off onto the surface and position as desired. You can then pat it down with a paper towel and let it dry. No gluing required. Continue on with the rest of the decalling process, taking care not to disturb the decals you’ve already put on, as it can take up to an hour for them to fully dry and adhere into place.
Its best if decals are placed onto a gloss finish as this will help prevent silvering.
Thanks!
For more info, try the Tools, Techniques and Reference Materials section of the Forum and select Decaling.
Here is a link: http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_reference_materials/f/20.aspx
When you remove the piece from the water, set it on an absorbent surface like a piece of paper towel. That’ll wick off the big blob of water sitting on it, which otherwise will soon be sitting on your wing.
Gloss surface is really important, otherwise you’ll get what’s called “silvering”. That’s when there’s a layer of micro bubbles of air under the decal, which were sitting in the depressions of the finish. That’ll ruin your day as it really cannot be fixed.
Most modelers gloss the whole model, with either urethane like Future floor polish, or lacquer like Testors “Gloss Cote”. I’ve tried just glossing a spot around the decal area, but it usually shows afterward. If the model is to be finished flat, after the decals are on spray it with Testors “Dull Cote”, taking care to cover over anything you want to stay shiny like the cockpit canopy. Or if the finish is gloss, give it another coat of gloss. Either way that’ll settle down the decals and seal them.
Italeri in my experience usually has really high quality decals.
One last thing not mentioned above. Do a little practicing. If the decals sheet has a couple of different options, try out the ones you dont plan to use on a piece of scrap or the inside surface of another model not yet built. Gloss coat it first, then get yourself confident you know what to do.
Never put masking tape down over a decal, or do so at high risk. And refrain from touching them until they are really dry. In other words, don’t rush it.
If you need to move the decal after you have applied it to the model’s surface, don’t just try to poke it around as it will most likely crack/split.
Dip a paintbrush in some clean water and touch it to the edge of the decal. The water will wick under and allow you to float the decal to the required position, using the paintbrush.
Gently touch the edge of a tissue to the edge of the decal to absorb excess water and you’re done.