Pros And Cons On Painting Your Model Car

The starting point for creating your own waterAlps are expensive and I believe they no longer
slide decals is to obtain the correct clear backing.produce printers. A friend used this method to
It is easiest to start with a ready manufacturedmake his own decals for a NASCAR "Superman"
sheet of clear decal film. There are severallogo and the result was very good.
sources; most online model suppliers carry thisThere is also the possibility of having a decal
material. Some suppliers even claim that theirmanufacturer produce the decal you want, but
paper is manufactured especially for ink jetthat is very pricey and it won't happen overnight.
printers. Secondly there are four methods I amNo matter what method is used, you will need to
familiar with:spray a clear coating over the decal to seal in the
Creating masks for each color separation,inks, dyes, etc., as they will run otherwise.
masking the clear decal film for each color andYou do not have to prime before painting, but I
applying the colors from lightest to darkest. Orprefer to for several reasons. The first being that
hand painting the design if you're really good at it.a primer will show any flaws in construction and I
Good points: Not too difficult and inexpensive.really like to find those prior to the final paint
Drawbacks: Tedious and time consuming if youscheme. A primer will also help to show if there
have to make multiples. Masks have to beare any areas where might not stick sufficiently.
thought out and made well.The primer coat can also be useful if you wish to
Silkscreen process. This is a process many of uspaint a lighter color over a dark plastic, or even to
learned in school. I will not go into detail as anyget a more uniform coat. Most importantly a
good art book can describe the process farprimer should help with paint adhesion, but a
better than I. Pro: Good quality and not tooprimer is not a must. I have gotten into the habit
difficult a process if multiples are needed. Con:of washing a model in warm soapy water before
Alignment can be tricky and skill is required topainting. It is very important to make sure all
set-up.traces of soap are thoroughly rinsed off.
Produce the desired image on a computer, or byI would not prime anything prior to assembly, as
hand, or from a photo of the prototype and thenthat will negatively affect the adhesion of the glue.
take it to a print shop and have it copied on aAs I mostly use an airbrush I usually just spray
color photocopier to the clear decal sheet. Pro:everything once assembled, though sometimes I
Probably the cheapest and easiest set-up forjust spray areas that I have put a lot of work
most people. Con: The quality of the final productinto. Some small parts like you mentioned do not
can be compromised by the quality of the copierreally require any primer and if hand brushing
and dyes.would just make for more work.
Produce the artwork on a computer and generateNow then, A #10 xacto blade is the best way to
it to a printer. You can use any common programopen doors and trunk, you will loose some
like Corel Draw or Adobe to do this. Pro: Not toomaterial but not much as long as you take your
hard for a novice to create, or scan the artworktime and make small cuts. The kick panel can be
and many people already have the setup withoutreplaced with sheet styrene covered with
knowing it. Con: If using an inkjet printer the inkbare-metal foil, I swear by that stuff. Actually,
does not always adhere to the paper well andbest hinge material for me has been paper clips,
must not be handled until dry. This method workseasy to bend and work well.
well with Alps printers that use a wax ribbon, but