What kind of a person are you?

[4wdmt]

(Just something to talk about )

Ok, here I am, tinkering around with my new Tamiya Double Blaze (Wild Dagger/Twin Detonator). I just opened the decal set and found out that this beautiful body graphics to be applied are not yet pre-cut.

So, while cutting them, I ask myself:

1.) How many Tamiya kits have decals pre-cut.

2.) How do you cut the stickers, uber precise..up to the edge? or with a little or big gap?

3.) Do you apply the decals per instruction or you just put some as you like and where you like to put them?

This is what I hate with stickers:

I hate applying big one, trapped bubbles annoys me. I really hate it when I accidentally nick a portion of the sticker to be applied, even after being careful. I also hate it when I use a straight rule when cutting and still the line is angled when I checked it. I hate it when I already put on the stickers, then found out that they are not leveled correctly or they are not at the same place with the other side (left / right sticker combo). You then go to the process of taking the whole decal out slowly and at the same time weakening the adhesive and putting some crease on it.

The only kit where I used the whole sticker sheet and as instructed was my Super Clodbuster.

How about you guys? What kind of a detailer are you?

 

[spinout180]

I pick and choose which decals I use, and where they go. I get creative and mix it up, maybe adding other ones I like, depending on the project. Sometimes I go for a theme, or just by color and " coolness". I'm also picky about even-ness and position. I'll take a piece of scotch tape, fold under one edge for easy removal, stick it across the very top of the decal (after its carefully cut out with a sharp scissors leaving maybe a 64th of an inch around it) and position it just where I want it. Then I carefully lift it up by the bottom, flex the decal back till the backing lifts, peel the backing away and smooth it down. Works for me!:tmb

 

[Locoboy5150]

1. None that I've come across.

2. I usually cut mine with a fine pair of scissors with about 1/2 of a millimeter of clear background material around the edges.

3. I apply mine where I think they look best while using the instructions and the box art as basic guides.

 

[Speed Racer]

what stickers? don't bother on most o my bodys,i only did a few and they aren't that bad to do.but i don't like ruining the stickers when the car-truck rolls or scrappes agaonst some thing so i don't bother for the most part

 

[Rapko]

3. I apply mine where I think they look best while using the instructions and the box art as basic guides.

Thats what I do as well...

I find it much easier to use a hobby knife, putting enough pressure to cut the sticker part only instead of using scissors and cutting all the way through. Then I'll use the tip of the hobby knife to get the the sticker out without putting any finger prints on the back side.

For bigger decals like the windshield molding that have thin borders I'll cut the entire thing out and place it very carefully on the body. I don't know about you guys but I'm never happy looking at the windsheild of my newly painted car and seeing the clear part of the decal with little bubbles in it. (it also reminds me of looking through a screen door, lol) So I'll take my trusty hobby knife again and cut all that crap out staying as close to the windshield molding as possible. Again, just enough pressure to cut the sticker out is key and if done right, you won't even notice a mark on the lexan.

Theres an example of this on my TT-01/supra body in readers rides...The side windows have that real thin black strip that would be impossible to cut on the inside and outside AND place on the car without ripping it.

 

[Jchung]

The stickers are my favourite part...but I also hate all the things you hate lol...especially when it doesn't come out straight!:tong

So what project do you have with your DB?:tami

 

[4wdmt]

Hey J, this one is going to be for the kids really. I even wired the motors in series so that the mild ESC can handle it.

Here are some shots. I did not go all out with the decals.

 

[william g]

checkered flag on that blue looks very good :tmb

 

[kjr2]

Yep that is a cool looking truck!

 

[Supreme Reign]

4wdmt: Cool truck. I'm putting together a Double-Blaze for myself and a Twin Detonator for my brother as we speak. I wish I had gotten one a long time ago. I'm trying to resist alloy upgrades:willy

 

[4wdmt]

Thank you for the compliments guys.

Supreme, resist any aluminum upgrades yet. I have a modified wild dagger before and it's really really tough! For me BBs, mod motors, ESC and oil shocks is all that it needs.

 

[Supreme Reign]

But they're just soooo pretty:bang I have plenty of shocks, bearings, and ESCs, though. Maybe if I just get some upper arms