Topping F-105 Restore Project

[BoeingDriver]

OK. I was referring to decals still on the paper. So Krylon is the thing to use. I understand that I need to cut out closely around the original decal also.

If you use Krylon would you also use Solvaset?

Ladd

[MichaelB]

Solvaset is a decal softener and it might also soften the clear coat. Try it first on a piece of unused decal. Some modelers also use Future as a clear coat; it will turn milky when placed in water but will return to clear when dry. All of these items are just a clear acrylic...however you apply it...and are water soluable when new...ammonia will remove them...or a good soaking...

[soslipstream]

Ladd,

Michael has some excellent suggestions.

As for cutting the decal close, a special knife makes sense. The usual scalpel or X-Acto #11 are a bit "clunky". I suggest gutting a Trac II razor blade cartridge and pull out the multiple blades. These are almost 3 X thinner than the previous two blades. This means less distortion or displacemet of the decal's film while cutting. It minimizes the chance of snagging the film too.

Mount the blade in a standard X-Acto handle leaving about 1/2" exposed . You can make a specialized knife by sandwiching the blade between two strips of basswood. Use 1/16" thick x 1/4" wide strips. Glue the sandwich using Medium Vis Cyanoacrylate (super glue). You can add more dimension to the handle anyway you please for better grip. I suggest keeping that knife safely in an unused plastic cigar tube with a cap. Some guys I know actually stick their X-Actos (w/ #11 blade) into a cork and then into one of the cigar tubes for extra insurance.

Regards, Tom Sanders

[Beowulf]

I know this is kind of late, If you're interested I have NOS Topping uprights for the stand...might look a little better then the fixed one...I also have NOS Topping decals for the F-105...would certainly help, especially the nose decal. And just as an aside, Precise never made a metal F-105, only plastic F-105 single seater and two seater. The two seater came in Viet Nam camo and silver. The metal ones in the US were done by Topping only....and of course Verkuyl of Holland.