Getting back into aircraft modeling, I thought I’d get my feet a little wetter and try a Tamiya Wildcat, which I must say has been a pleasure to build. However, when I went to use the kit’s decals, they seemed to be extremely thick. So thick that even with solve a set, they would not form to the contours of the fuselage side.
I had a spare set from Major decals to replace the ones that were too thick, but my question is this, is this common for Tamiya, or did I get a fluke decal set. Since the rest of the kit seems perfect.
Scott
Scott,
Sadly, you did not get a fluke. For some reason, in spite of the fact that Tamiya makes absolutely wonderful kits, their decals are pretty bad. Hopefully others will respond to your post as well because I know that not everyone has terrible luck with them. Decals seem to react differently to different setting agents. You might want to try MicroSol and see if that helps but try it out on a spare Tamiya decal first to make sure it doesn’t ruin it. Maybe someone out there has had better luck using a different technique.
But don’t worry Scott. ALL Tamiya decals are like that. It’s gotten to the point where when I buy a Tamiya kit I automatically buy aftermarket decals for it at the same time.
Best wishes,
Eric
Eric is correct. Just last night I was applying the kit decals to my 1/48 Tamiya Corsair and cursing my efforts. Only after copious applications of micro-sol, did I get a reasonable result. I think after I apply another coat of future and a flat over coat all should be well.
“I feel your pain” Scott…
Ray
Sad, but most of the decals provided by Tamiya are less than ideal. But this is true of most main stream kit supplied decals. I use aftermarket decals whenever possible. I think they are made thicker to withstand the rougher handling of less experienced modelers, but their market is mostly intermediate or higher skilled modelers. Go figure.
Regards, Rick
Here is my bubbletop with a mixture of decals. The national insignia and the invasion stripes are Tamiya decals from the kit. They are “thick”, but with micro set and sol, I had no issues.
Steve
I have just finished a Tamiya Beau and had no problems with the decals.
They behaved perfectly with sol and set and didn’t appear thick.
For thick shiny decals that look like they are printed on fablon, Monogram’s your only choice!