Help with decals also getting scratches out of the windows!

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Decaling
1

This is my first post and I am stuck on a Minicraft Model Kit UH-60L Blackhawk 1/48th scale and I am using a Flat Olive Drab for the body color and I noticed the decals would not stick. I have tryed everything from the amount of water and also tryed decal setting solution and nothing works. It could be the flat paint but if it is what do you guys request I use?

Also I am also building a huey and I dont know how to get the scratches out of the windows and I dont want a finished product with the scratches on the windows. Any advise on what to get to fix this?

2

For light scratches you could use Brasso or some other rubbing compound and model wax like The Treatment or others like Macgiure"s or Mother"s. For heavier scratches you’ll need to sand and polish. I start with 1200 grit sand paper and work up to 2000 grit. Then I polish using the above.

The decals are an easy one. Toss them! Academy/Minicraft are notorious for this problem. You didn’t say if you gloss-coated before applying the decals but in the future use Future to build up a somewhat glossy surface to apply the decals to. Then use your solvent. The repacement decals willstick better and there won’t be any silvering.
Search the forum for the compete technique. Hope this helps. Oh, and BTW,[#welcome]
to the forum.

3

HEY,
He hooked you up Phat with info, thats pretty much all there is to it.

Randy

4

Peter fsm had a article on how to repair scratches on canopys.This techenqic work really good and has help me.Digger

5

Thanks a lot guys makes me feel better about fixing the problem. I will try that and I am trying to get my parents to subscribe to the FSM so I will get tips like this in the book. Thanks for your help and time everybody!

6

I am having a problem finding the polish. Also what do you guys recommend is the best for this job because I dont know if it would work or not? I need something strong or the best stuff that professional modelers use.

7

Peter, Brasso or Silvo are available almost anywhere. The Treatment Model Wax might be available at your LHS. Otherwise you’ll have to go online, assuming it’s still available. Macguire’s and Mother’s you can find at your local auto parts supply. These are all just examples and they all work well.( I’ve even heard of guys using toothpaste!) The stuff at the auto parts supply is what a lot of pros use but they won’t be cheap. Good luck polishing your “glass”.

8

I got some Black Magic car polish and its the best thing I have but Im tryin to get some Future because I heard it works for a lot of things and its great. Thanks guys for helping me with this problem.

9

Peter, if the scratches are small dip the canopy in Future, bleed off the excess, and then when it is dry you’ll have a crystal-clear canopy. I do this with all my canopies whether they are scratched or not, it really makes them clear as glass! For larger more noticeable scratches, use the polishes mentioned above.

10

Thanks I just went out and got a bottle of Future so I got it now. I am also looking for modeling teams in the L.A. area or Murrieta. It’s like I run into problems and I dont know what to do about them. Other then ask you guys. Thanks again.