No matter you are working with
one of the best wooden model boat kits for sale, you will definitely want to give it a personal touch, which can
be done by applying decals. Not only a personal touch, but decals can give your
scale model a perfect finishing touch as well. Decals give a good touch of authenticity,
detail, and color to your scale model.
Necessary Decal Tools
Prior to applying decals, you
will certainly require having a clean workspace and every essential tool on
hand. Let’s explore are some of the necessary tools that you will probably require:
- Hobby knife
- Tweezers
- Small paint brushes
- Paper towels & lint free cloth
- Klear or varnish
- A bowl of water
- A sheet of decals
- Cutting mat
- A pair of small, sharp scissors
Surface Preparation
Prior to applying decals, after
the concluding paint job has dried up, one or two thin coatings of Klear or
varnish should be applied to produce a semi-gloss or gloss finish. Although a
flat or matt finish might be an ideal appearance for your scale model, however,
lessens the decal’s points of contact and small air pockets can be left underneath
the decal. Ensure this layer of varnish has dried up entirely prior you move
forward.
Typically, decals are of two
types – Self-Adhesive Decals and Water-Slide Decals.
Self-Adhesive Decals
Self-adhesive decals for wooden model boat kits for sale are
further categorized into two types:
ü “Sticker” Self-Adhesive Decals – They are
normally printed on a vinyl sheet that includes a backing. If they are not
previously pre-cut, you’ll definitely require cutting around the outline of every
decal and then peel the backing off prior to putting it on the scale model.
ü “Wet” Self-Adhesive Decals – They are a
bit rare and must not be perplexed with the vinyl self-adhesive decals or
water-slide decals. The adhesive on these decals is on the back, which when dampened
with water, lets the decal to be placed on the right point prior to warily rubbing
out any surplus water. It causes the decal adhesive to bond to the model
enduringly. A small amount of washing liquid added to the water will facilitate
the decal to slip better until you are contented that you get it in the right
place.
Water-Slide Decals
Transfer decals or water-slide
decals are fairly common and are made up of a backing paper, a water soluble
adhesive, and a decal. After immersing it in water, the decal factually slides off
the backing paper on its own, letting you to be applied to the surface of the
scale model with comparative effortlessness. Such decals are quite easy to be
applied in contrast to either of the self-adhesive decals for wooden model boat kits for sale.
