Decals from Scratch

[MiG29K]

I wasn't entirely sure about buying it but after teeter tottering on it for a couple weeks I figured for 9 bucks what the hell. I didn't expect miracles but all in all I would say it's not a bad deal. The decal kit is from Testors, comes with a basic CD with pre-made graphics and drawing software, Decal Bonding Agent and two sheets of blank decal paper. Caution. One sheet is Clear...the other White - That fact wasn't made obviously clear - You have to read the back of the sheets but then WHO ever uses White? I've never seen any in any kits I've ever built! So this was more or less an experiment to see what could if anything happen. I elected not to use the provided software (it's not bad) and used Corel instead. The system works with inkjet printers only.

I wanted to remove 'Lt. Fireball Jackson' because it just wasn't happenin for me and I tentatively planned on possibly changing it. With the kit, I think it worked out alright: (click on center mouse wheel to move image left and right to view entire image)





After working on the adding the new call sign / name I knew I had to add the Pyrotechnic Charge Warning Label:



The "Do Not Paint" label on the blade antenna:





The results are basically dependent on the quality of the inkjet printer and I haven't toyed too much with it extensively so I think the kit deserves an A- / B+ ish !! Of course, that could change the more I learn about this kit. Good Stuff.

[JimBob55]

Good review; and good results, I'd say. I particularly like your little detail markings.

I've been interested in doing custom decals. I'm trying some laser printed ones on some decal paper. I'll have to spray or brush some clear over it to make it work. We'll have to see how it works.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiments and good results.

JimBob

[RED]

Pretty cool Can you down load your own graphics and print them out ????---RED---

[MiG29K]

Hey Red,

I'm almost sure that you can. I was trying to tweak this pic of this 'actress' to put on the nose of my plane but when I tried to shrink the pic, it got a bit distorted. I think you can practically print any image either generated on drawing software or downloaded online. At minimal, all you would need is the decal sheets and Decal Bonding Spray - the stuff that makes the ink adhere to the paper. Those together would run approximately ~$18.00. I had bought the kit because when I added it up, it was pretty much a good deal for beginning - especially since I didn't know what I was gettting myself into. I toyed around with the software provided and it really isn't bad at all - seems pretty user friendly. Since I have Corel on my computer, it was more a familiarity thing so I used that instead. It think as begin to use it more, I'll discover a myriad of possibilities!

[pokeyjtc]

I've done my own 1:18 decals by scanning and enlarging 1:48 scale decals. It has worked pretty good. Just a tip about the difference between white and clear decal paper. The clear works for black or very dark print, like unit codes, serial numbers, and stencil markings such as the no step and such. The problem you run into with the clear is when you have something colorful like nose art. When you print it on clear, the decal image comes out a semi-transparent color. This is when you have to use the white backed paper so your color print is bright, and solid. You also have to cut the decal out exactly in the shape of the image. Just thought I would let you know. I had to find out the hard way.

[steelbonnet]

Rob OUTSTANDING work mate with the decals & thank`s for the review too

That certainly along with all the work you`ve thrown into it makes your F/A-18 very Unique

Ja
Steel Bonnet

[VMF115]

Yes Rob nice work!!!