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6/14/2025, 5:39:17 AM
>>11456626
If you wonder about my method with decals it goes like this:
1. Cut off the decal from the sheet.
2. Use the tweezers from a small victorinox knife to soak it in water for about 10 seconds.
3. Remove the decal from the water and wait around 30 seconds.
4. By this point, the decal should begin to slide from its sheet. You can confirm this by using soaking the tip of a cotton swab and gently touching the decal. It it does not move, repeat steps 2 and 3.
5. Once the decal is ready to be applied, take it with the tweezers and then slide it over whatever surface it goes using the tip of a cotton swab.
6. It is kinda hard to properly place the decal with the cotton swab. In my experience, you can use the tip of your hobby knife to get more control and precision of where you want the decal to go. Just don't press too hard, as you could either split the decal or scratch the surface.
7. Once you are satisfied, of its placement, remove whatever water excess with a dry cotton swab, gently rolling it over the surface of the decal, to prevent from ending up misaligned or worse, getting stuck to the swab.
8. Wait a few minutes until it is dry. Afterwards, I apply a lick of Tamiya Mark Fit Strong (pic related) using the brush applicator it comes with. This thing is basically glue, allowing the decals to stick to the surface and in case of large ones or those placed over irregular surfaces, to properly adhere without air bubbles.
9. Rinse and repeat all of the above.
As you can guess this is quite a tedious and bothersome process and with the ver Ka kits, it ends up taking longer than whatever time it may take you to cut off the parts from the runners and actually build the kit.
I started using the decal softener once I realized that by merely using water, the decals were prone to fall off, sometimes before applying the final topcoat
If you wonder about my method with decals it goes like this:
1. Cut off the decal from the sheet.
2. Use the tweezers from a small victorinox knife to soak it in water for about 10 seconds.
3. Remove the decal from the water and wait around 30 seconds.
4. By this point, the decal should begin to slide from its sheet. You can confirm this by using soaking the tip of a cotton swab and gently touching the decal. It it does not move, repeat steps 2 and 3.
5. Once the decal is ready to be applied, take it with the tweezers and then slide it over whatever surface it goes using the tip of a cotton swab.
6. It is kinda hard to properly place the decal with the cotton swab. In my experience, you can use the tip of your hobby knife to get more control and precision of where you want the decal to go. Just don't press too hard, as you could either split the decal or scratch the surface.
7. Once you are satisfied, of its placement, remove whatever water excess with a dry cotton swab, gently rolling it over the surface of the decal, to prevent from ending up misaligned or worse, getting stuck to the swab.
8. Wait a few minutes until it is dry. Afterwards, I apply a lick of Tamiya Mark Fit Strong (pic related) using the brush applicator it comes with. This thing is basically glue, allowing the decals to stick to the surface and in case of large ones or those placed over irregular surfaces, to properly adhere without air bubbles.
9. Rinse and repeat all of the above.
As you can guess this is quite a tedious and bothersome process and with the ver Ka kits, it ends up taking longer than whatever time it may take you to cut off the parts from the runners and actually build the kit.
I started using the decal softener once I realized that by merely using water, the decals were prone to fall off, sometimes before applying the final topcoat
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