PE Seatbelt Alternative

[bfrd]

This may be nothing new, but I hadn't seen it before. I am working on an F1 kit that had decals for the seatbelts. I generally don't like decal belts, but I didn't have a PE set. So I improvised. First I found a piece of clear plastic I used an old clamshell container. Then I mounted the decals on the clear plastic using plenty of set and sol to ensure a good bond.



When I was sure it was good and dried I cut out the belts and used a black acrylic paint pen to paint the sides and back of the plastic. I did this only out of ease, the clear aspect of the plastic may have made this step un-needed. Once the parts were out I heated up a metal stirring tool with a heat gun and carefully bent the plastic into the shapes that are required by the seat. It isn't perfect and not as good as PE but works in a pinch.



**Note: The seat isn't painted and the belts are just laying there with no glue.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I really like this top tip, looks way better that straight decals
Eduard PE set buckles are great but the bloody paint chips off the belts the second you bend them
I could see me doing a combo version of this with metal buckles

Oh be sure to test the hot tip on your tongue next time, not your fingers....

[barryf1fan]

Nice!!

Tip of the day!

[Kevthemodeller]

That's a neat trick Matt, thanks for sharing

[Paul]

You can also just leave the decals on the backing paper and cut around them, glue them in place

[bfrd]

You can also just leave the decals on the backing paper and cut around them, glue them in place

True, at some scales that would be the easier route. In my case, the decal paper would have looked just as bad as the decals. Also, I feel the plastic gives a little more ability to bend and shape the belts the same way we would with PE. Most of us probably horde plastic bits that we think may be useful and therefore have plenty of thickness options. But, to be fair just using the decal on the paper is a good option. I never intended to tout this method as the "best", just an option.

[cor]

Cool tip. Maybe as an alternative to the plastic you could apply the decal to a tightly woven cloth, like silk, then seal it with pva glue, acriclic clear paint etc.