1:18th Scale Decals advice
Discussion
Hi there, I have some Minichamps 1:18th Scale Senna F1 cars and I want to convert to full on tobacco sponsor livery. Question is, I know where to get my hands on the right decals to apply to the car, but what do I use to remove the existing decals that are used on the models where the tobacco sponsors normally go?
I see that tobacco versions go for silly money on eBay, well I'm no mug and I would never pay those kind of prices, but as a model maker in the past I know how to use decals, but I've never removed decals from a Minichamps model before, so need advice as I do not want to damage the paint work, thanks in advance guys
I see that tobacco versions go for silly money on eBay, well I'm no mug and I would never pay those kind of prices, but as a model maker in the past I know how to use decals, but I've never removed decals from a Minichamps model before, so need advice as I do not want to damage the paint work, thanks in advance guys
You first need to ascertain as to whether they are actual decals in the traditional sense, is. waterslide, or tampo printed decals.
If they are waterslide, then Micro-Sol and Micro-Set are good tools to have in your armoury. Coat the decals to be removed in Micro-Sol and then very gently tease the edges with a cocktail stick. The Micro-Sol will get underneath the decal and soften the adhesive and you'll be able to remove it, probably not in one piece, without harming the paintwork.
You can also sometimes get them removed by sticking some tape over them, rubbing over with an eraser (no special trick, they're nice and soft), and pulling the tape off.
If the decals are tampo print, then you need to get some non-acetone nail varnish remover. The crucial bit here is to test it on a small, preferably non visible, area first. Use it sparingly with a good quality cotton bud and work slowly. Rushing will only cause you problems.
If they are waterslide, then Micro-Sol and Micro-Set are good tools to have in your armoury. Coat the decals to be removed in Micro-Sol and then very gently tease the edges with a cocktail stick. The Micro-Sol will get underneath the decal and soften the adhesive and you'll be able to remove it, probably not in one piece, without harming the paintwork.
You can also sometimes get them removed by sticking some tape over them, rubbing over with an eraser (no special trick, they're nice and soft), and pulling the tape off.
If the decals are tampo print, then you need to get some non-acetone nail varnish remover. The crucial bit here is to test it on a small, preferably non visible, area first. Use it sparingly with a good quality cotton bud and work slowly. Rushing will only cause you problems.
Edited by Red Firecracker on Saturday 23 July 13:50
Well if they are tampo printed you will need to be really careful, I bet the acetone will attack the dayglo bits.
When printing my own Marlboro lettering, I used Bodoni Bold, but stretched it slightly to make it taller. (If anyone knows of a better font, please let me know - I did a search on the net and was told it was NeoContact, but there is also a font called Marlboro!).
When printing my own Marlboro lettering, I used Bodoni Bold, but stretched it slightly to make it taller. (If anyone knows of a better font, please let me know - I did a search on the net and was told it was NeoContact, but there is also a font called Marlboro!).
Evangelion said:
Well if they are tampo printed you will need to be really careful, I bet the acetone will attack the dayglo bits.
Hence using non-acetone, or acetone free, nail varnish remover. A slightly more long winded way of doing it is with a metal polish, but that has its own potential pitfall or burning through the paint as well. I always go for the nail varnish remover.Evangelion said:
When printing my own Marlboro lettering, I used Bodoni Bold, but stretched it slightly to make it taller. (If anyone knows of a better font, please let me know - I did a search on the net and was told it was NeoContact, but there is also a font called Marlboro!).
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