Instrument Panel decalling

[Russ72]

Hey Folks, I've got a decaling question.

The Kit provides a clear instrument panel and decal (dials only), and no instruction I could find on how to work the two together.

How should I proceed?

(The kit is Academy 1/48 IL-2)

[UKscalemodeller]

From the USA IPMS page I found this

'The instrument panel is provided as a clear part. Make sure you mask the instrument panel faces before painting it black. I just used tiny little pieces of damp tissue paper to mask the recessed instrument faces. The instrument faces themselves are provided as a decal. You are supposed to loosen the decal from the backing paper, briefly apply it to the back of the IP, to get some of the adhesive on the clear part, flip the decal on its face and finally align the instrument faces with the clear glass. It sounds complex, but it is not that difficult to do. Sadly, none of this is described in the instructions. I just happen to have a set of instructions from an original boxing available to me.'

Hope this helps.

[Russ72]

From the USA IPMS page I found this

'The instrument panel is provided as a clear part. Make sure you mask the instrument panel faces before painting it black. I just used tiny little pieces of damp tissue paper to mask the recessed instrument faces. The instrument faces themselves are provided as a decal. You are supposed to loosen the decal from the backing paper, briefly apply it to the back of the IP, to get some of the adhesive on the clear part, flip the decal on its face and finally align the instrument faces with the clear glass. It sounds complex, but it is not that difficult to do. Sadly, none of this is described in the instructions. I just happen to have a set of instructions from an original boxing available to me.'

Hope this helps.

Thanks for that UKSM, i'll give it a try. I've got a couple of builds to finish up first, I was just planning ahead.

Cheers

[MakingModelsAgain]

I'd be inclined to just paint the panel whatever colour it's supposed to be, gloss it and place the decal on top, aligning the dials accordingly. Once dry, matt the whole thing (if necessary) and then blob white PVA glue over the dials which will then dry as clear shiny discs.

Or get a photoetch one instead...

[UKscalemodeller]

I'd be inclined to just paint the panel whatever colour it's supposed to be, gloss it and place the decal on top, aligning the dials accordingly. Once dry, matt the whole thing (if necessary) and then blob white PVA glue over the dials which will then dry as clear shiny discs.

Or get a photoetch one instead...

Sounds a better approach actually.

[Russ72]

I'd be inclined to just paint the panel whatever colour it's supposed to be, gloss it and place the decal on top, aligning the dials accordingly. Once dry, matt the whole thing (if necessary) and then blob white PVA glue over the dials which will then dry as clear shiny discs.

Or get a photoetch one instead...

PE is a bit advanced for me, sure it'd look good, but it'd end up being the best looking thing in the final build.

Would you suggest cutting the decal into smaller portions and putting them down, or would the Micro Set soften the whole panel decal up enough to conform over the panel. I realise it might be difficult to call without the parts in front of you.