Applying decals..

[Guest]

Yes, I had heard about coating with clear acrylic first - and I did this with the white bands. It worked reasonably well, though positioning them was not easy, despite copious dabs of Micrsol and water, to keep 'em sliding.

Yes, I shall be wary of Tamiya decals in future. On my last build (an ICM Spit) the decals disintegrated completely - the aftermarket decals, cost nearly as much as the kit.

[wonwinglo]

A better waterslide decal system is available

If there is one area that the kit manufacturers skimp on then it is the decals,I think the time has come where they should consider 'reverse decalling' this is much more reliable than ordinary waterslide transfers/decals,the system has been around for many years and still used in the advertising world or to do a complete full sized London bus with wrap around insignia,basically the decal is printed onto the obverse side of the carrier paper,to apply you just hold the complete decal in place against the surface,flood with warm water and peel off the carrier backing paper leaving the decal perfectly in position,the advantages are easier application,no background clear film to contend with and the decals can be thin and yet manageable.

Some cottage industry kits use this type of decalling system and once you have used it then you realise that it is a far more advanced system.

[Guest]

Presumably it's more expensive, otherwise they would already use this system, wouldn't they?