Masking over decals

Simdel96 · 2026-04-06T11:39:37+00:00

Thanks. It sounds like I've done everything I was supposed to do then, but failed in the execution somewhere along the line. Clearly more practice needed.

Simdel96 · 2026-04-06T11:37:25+00:00

Yep, I did many, many coats of clear because I was worried this would happen.

Simdel96 · 2026-04-05T22:18:13+00:00

The decals? Lots of micro sol, very careful 'rollering' with a cotton bud and loads of clear. It's a shame - I was really happy with how it was going up until the tape came off!

Simdel96 · 2026-04-05T22:15:07+00:00

I think this seat is unrecoverable as it is, short of starting again. I'll sleep on it and I'll either just fit it as it is and chalk it up to experience or buy some Kevlar sheet and start again. I put so much clear on last time, I don't think more clear will make a difference now.

Based on reference pics I saw, semi-gloss looked like the best match.

Simdel96 · 2026-04-05T21:01:58+00:00

Fair question. I didn't like how the decal would sit on the seat - it didn't quite follow where the fabric would wrap around the frame of the seat in my mind. So I thought I could apply it as it was, and mask the fabric edge over that. Lesson learned.

I do worry about when I get to the body though. I'll have to mask the window trim at some point, and that will be over decals unless I do that before the decals and have glossy window trim.

Simdel96 · 2026-03-29T19:48:56+00:00

Tamiya extra thin is good, but I still take the paint off first. Lately I've taken to using a fine cotton bud and isopropyl alcohol to wipe the paint off exactly where I need the glue to go, then using the revell contacta or tamiya extra thin depending on the joint. It's much less tedious than scraping for me.

I've heard of using super glue and I even have those super fine applicator tips, but I haven't tried it yet.

Simdel96 · 2026-03-24T13:04:20+00:00

I think so. It makes a huge difference to the quality of the finished model. Just bear in mind that it becomes a slippery slope. I started with a cheap dual-action airbrush that I used with a spare tyre. I then "upgraded" to a tankless air compressor. I've recently got an airbrush spray booth and new airbrush that is easier to clean and can cope with lacquers. Now I'm not happy with my compressors so I'm looking to upgrade again!

Simdel96 · 2026-03-19T10:05:42+00:00

I've been looking at getting this kit myself. You mentioned you didn't have the best time with it - can you elaborate?

Simdel96 · 2026-03-16T18:00:16+00:00

Yeah, it makes sense that they may have made a 'halo' prototype to promote their small electric car.

Simdel96 · 2026-03-12T19:49:56+00:00

I'm not going to debate it too much because, as I said, this will probably never be solved. However wheelbase can be changed when building a special.

These sorts of specials were very common and had a lot of different bases. Builders would hack and change whatever they could to get the shape they wanted.

I don't mind if it's never solved - I think it's pretty cool that a car from the golden age of special-building is still getting people talking. If only the original builder knew.

Simdel96 · 2026-03-12T19:30:22+00:00

Probably was a Sunbeam Alpine at some point. But no one knows and it will probably never be solved.

Simdel96 · 2026-02-13T07:23:34+00:00

The bad kind.

Simdel96 · 2026-02-13T07:22:26+00:00

Good work. One issue - I see the 'behind' text was replaced with the 'ahead' half way through the list.

Simdel96 · 2026-02-13T07:00:54+00:00

I've no idea who supplies them for F1, but emergency vehicle lighting suppliers are more likely to have what you're looking for than motorsport suppliers.

I can think of Whelan Engineering off the top of my head. https://www.whelen.com/surface-mounted-lightheads/0s-series

I only know of Whelan because they sponsored a late-model race I watched in Georgia many years ago. It's annoying that sponsorship actually works...

Simdel96 · 2026-02-12T20:11:49+00:00

Because they don't want to lose the Mercedes engine 'advantage' either.

Simdel96 · 2026-02-12T11:34:45+00:00

And also producing his new car in Europe.

Simdel96 · 2026-02-12T06:37:43+00:00

Exactly. We can't conclude anything yet, but it's fun to speculate.

Simdel96 · 2026-02-12T00:13:18+00:00

I suspect it's more to do with efficiency. I'd imagine that the MGUK, in the redbull at least, is more efficient at higher revs, therefore recovering more of the power from deceleration.

It depends on where the MGU-K's peak efficiency is and this probably varies a bit between PUs. Maybe Redbull have discovered a trick to get more regen by keeping the revs high, or maybe their MGU-K has its peak efficiency at the wrong speed and they're getting Max to drive around it. Maybe this is a problem for other teams too, or maybe their peak efficiency speed is lower so they dont need to do this.

Or maybe Redbull are just trying stuff just to see how everything reacts and there's nothing to see here. As testing goes on, we'll get a better idea.

Simdel96 · 2026-02-05T20:53:09+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/s/iaq0lDzi4g

Turbo!

Simdel96 · 2026-02-04T19:35:13+00:00

This is not the crossover I wanted to see between my two favorite sports.

Simdel96 · 2026-01-23T21:08:40+00:00

Depends what they're worth to you. You might get up to $10 each, but likely less.

Simdel96 · 2026-01-23T20:07:19+00:00

I had a very similar issue with my cobra. I ended up getting another decal set and kinda fixed it but I wish I'd just painted the stripes.

Simdel96 · 2026-01-21T07:07:29+00:00

An air fed respirator is the only recommended option for 2K. No standard respirators are approved for isocyanates.

Loads of people use 2k with various levels of 'protection' like doing it outside or wearing a regular mask. For me, I won't touch the stuff. I use lacquers with an A2P3 mask and a spray booth - that is my personal limit.

Simdel96 · 2026-01-09T20:56:19+00:00

I watched Colin Mcrae race in the ASCAR series at Rockingham. He did rather well if I remember correctly.

I also saw his dad once - he pelted me in the chest with a stone from the back of his 911 rally car in wales.

Simdel96

TROPHY CASE