Studio Half Scale TOS Enterprise Scratch build

[SteveNeill]

I forgot to mention and do not bend package showed up today from the very reliable and forth coming Aztek Dummy. They are in a word, "Excellent!!!" Wow!

Yes the Enterprise's vinyl decals. Lou you rock! These are the biggest decals I have ever worked with. The package was marked don't bend but they did it anyway. Seems to me they are the dummies but all is well.

Here's some pictures of todays little project. There will be lots more tomorrow and video.

Steve

 

[Ray22]

Glad to hear Mrs. Neill is okay Steve, those decals do look lovely.The big E story should have quite a few more videos to go on Youtube .

 

[Artman]

Steve, are those decals a "rub down" affair?

Back in the 80's I drew up these decals for my 18" AMT model (lord knows the one in the kit where quite inaccurate

Anyway, back then I worked in advertising and I sent my inked drawings to a place that turned them into "rub downs", which are applied by doing just that, rubbing them down with a burnishing tool. We used them for mock-ups.

Are the decals you have there similar to this type of thing?

Robert

 

[Captain April]

Great work Neil, I have been following your progress, can't wait to see the kit together. I am really interested in the substructure and it connects to the model. I have found that "do not bend" on a package does nothing, I put a piece of masonite which they can't bend. P.S. I hope your wife is feeling better.

 

[MasterAnubis]

Is that a duct taped seem? I'm surprised they'd let that ship.

Also, I just recently became aware of this thread and now I'm goin through your videos. Thanks for documenting this process, its going to be very helpful to me.:thumbsup

 

[Aztek Dummy]

Artman,
these markings are adhesive vinyl, not waterslide decals or dry transfers.

as for the duct tape, as long as the edges are sealed, the PO is OK with it.

you put "do not bend" on it and hope. Some mail handlers see it as a challenge LOL

 

[Underdog]

I like the adhesive vinyl approach, I started working with vinyl last year when making decals for my BSG bases, that and laser cut templates to make it a "No Brainer" for painting a decaling.

 

[Ray22]

Tape is tape they don't care about what kind of tape you use at the post office they care if the box or package is not covered up properly like using brown paper. I found out this summer when trying to mail a R.C. in the original box that didn't have any wrapping paper on it.

 

[Artman]

Artman,
these markings are adhesive vinyl, not waterslide decals or dry transfers.

Thanks, I wondered about that . . . those were dry transfers I had made. These adhesive vinyl decals are something new to me. I will look into it, learn more about them.

Perhaps Steve will have a few words to say about their properties and application. I know that the dry transfers can be scratched off fairly easily by accident but they are simple to align and apply.

 

[trekriffic]

Would these decals be comparable to the stick-on decals Polar Lights included with their 1/1000 Trek kits just on a much larger scale?

 

[Shizman]

Thanks, I wondered about that . . . those were dry transfers I had made. These adhesive vinyl decals are something new to me. I will look into it, learn more about them.

Perhaps Steve will have a few words to say about their properties and application. I know that the dry transfers can be scratched off fairly easily by accident but they are simple to align and apply.

Aztek Dummy should be able to fill in any questions about the vinyl since it's what he does. I have painting masks from him and they are superb.

 

[Aztek Dummy]

Would these decals be comparable to the stick-on decals Polar Lights included with their 1/1000 Trek kits just on a much larger scale?

two major difference between these and PL's

1) the PL is printed on clear, mine are colored vinyl
2) the PL have clear between and surrounding the color, mine do not

but the overall principle is the same

 

[Artman]

Aztek Dummy should be able to fill in any questions about the vinyl since it's what he does. I have painting masks from him and they are superb.

Excellent, the information directly from the source!

two major difference between these and PL's

1) the PL is printed on clear, mine are colored vinyl
2) the PL have clear between and surrounding the color, mine do not

but the overall principle is the same

Just took a look at my PL decals. Question, I know the dry transfers are paper thin (even thinner) and go on with nice crisp edges, how do your adhesive vinyl decals compare with that?

 

[vaderman1701]

I guess the question is how closely will the vinyl decals blend into the hulls paint job so it is not obvious that there is a separation between the decal and the hull. Of course, that may also depend on how Steve is going to cut the decals. Lou, can you show an example of a vinyl decal on a model?

Scott

 

[Aztek Dummy]

Excellent, the information directly from the source!






Just took a look at my PL decals. Question, I know the dry transfers are paper thin (even thinner) and go on with nice crisp edges, how do your adhesive vinyl decals compare with that?

Well, I won't kid you. They're not as thin as a decal would be. think of how a pinstripe on a car is a tiny bit raised...

at the scale of the ship, they would be about the thickness of a heavy coat of paint.

the benefits are:

* No carrier film like decals
* won't yellow over time
* won't scratch like transfers
* very clean and crisp lines - all the lettering is exact
* no paint drip worries- especially when you think about painting red lines on "white" nacelles
* one step application. Position, remove the backing paper and press into place.

they should be applied over a gloss coat and then sealed in with a top coat of clear (just like you would with decals or transfers)

hope this helps answer some of the questions

 

[Shizman]

I have to say this thread has become addicting because of the great information revealed and of course Steve's excellent work.

I check it far too often than is healthy, but I love this stuff!

 

[SteveNeill]

Sorry guys but I've been a little busy. Lou thanks for ansewring their questions.
Parts are coming out well btu I have to stop as it's getting to hot to pour resin untill the morning again.

Video later.

Steve

 

[trekriffic]

Wow! Those are some nice pours there! Just really ...NICE!

 

[feek61]

Continue to be amazed!

 

[Onigiri]

WooHoo! Let the build COMMENCE! I wish RPF had a 'like' button.