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Decal Dilemas

Decals represent markings that are painted on aircraft. For realism these markings need to look painted on. One option is to actually paint them and this approach is relatively easy when simple markings, such as Japanese Hinhomaru, or British or French roundels, are required. But to try and paint stencilling, or nose art and the like would defeat most modellers. There are, of course, ways around this but that may be the subject of another article. What I would like to address in this piece is how I approach the application of the decalling process. I say, “how I”, because we all have our own ways of doing the same thing. This is aimed mainly at those who struggle a little with this important part of modelling. I am certainly not declaring myself as any type of expert (definition of an expert: ex, is something that doesn’t exist anymore, s-pert, is a drip under pressure). I have had some success, however, and would like to pass on what I have learned over many years of attempting this process.

What is a decal?

A decal is a design printed on a sheet of special (?) paper on top of water-soluble glue. A clear coating (the carrier film) is applied over the design to keep it all together. This clear coating can be over the entire sheet or just over each design. Because of this make up, the decal has a certain thickness that will be dealt with during the decalling process. As you probably know, these decals come with the kit and can be of greatly varying quality. There are also many aftermarket decal manufacturers that are mostly very good and offer the modeller a wide variety of options to make his or her model unique. These many different decals will react in a similar fashion to each other, using the techniques I will describe, but some need a little more coaxing than others will. Just a word of warning-some decal solutions are stronger than others. I have heard of some decals being destroyed by the stronger solutions. I personally have never had this problem but you do need to be aware.

What you will need.

1. Shallow container for water. A saucer is ideal.

2. Scissors.

3. Scalpel or hobby knife.

4. Steel Ruler.

5. Tweezers.

6. Setting solutions (I'm using Aero Set/Sol)

7. Brushes to apply the solutions (one for each so there is no cross-contamination).

8. Folded paper towel.

9. Something to support the model. I use a homemade stand but an empty box will do.