Carbon Fiber Decal Sheet & A Easy Way To Make A Template

[Metalmad]

I have recently purchased a decal sheet of carbon fiber from Scale Motorsports & it looks awesome I must say so my question is what is the best way to lay the decal down? I have laid decals down before with decal set etc so is there anything I should do different? Purchased the carbon fiber for the roof of a 2010 LS9 Z06 Corvette Roof and I just want to make sure it conforms completely to the roof & windshield pillars.

Also what would be the easiest way to make a template of the roof & front windshield pillars for the decal.

Thank You

Edited January 10, 2014 by Metalmad

[935k3]

Use a wide soft brush to smooth it out then use a hot damp cloth pressed over the decal to get it to lay down. Most solvents are too strong for those decals. Gentle use of a hair dry on the lowest setting also helps but keep it moving around.

Edited January 7, 2014 by 935k3

[Metalmad]

Thank you for the tip !

[Metalmad]

Any suggestions on a template ?

[vypurr59]

Masking tape, applied to the surface you wish to decal, then cut and peel, place on a piece of cardstock and then cut decal to that.

[Chillyb1]

Both replies pretty much cover it. I use Tamiya masking tape to make the template because it is super thin, but I just stick it to the carbon fiber decal sheet rather than taking the extra step Jeff mentioned. I apply the tape to the back of the decal sheet though I've also applied it to the front without any decal damage. Most templated parts to be covered are the same shape both upside down and rightside up (if you get what I'm saying); and those parts that are unidirectional are usually paired with one thing on the left and one on the right, therefore, you can still apply the template tape to the back of the decal sheet. (I am wondering whether or not that makes any sense to anyone but me.)

My preferred cf decals are from Scale Motorsport and from KA Models, Both can stand up to common decal setting solutions (SMS even recommends Micro-Sol and Micro-Set). I've found these two brands to have excellent decals that are plenty strong but flexible enough to conform to most shapes.

The use of a hair dryer, especially for large areas that are mostly flat, is absolutely crucial. Well, you can get away with decent application without one, but it makes a huge beneficial difference.

Make sure you are very precise with your templates. You don't want decal going over edges in most applications because that will cause the decal to want to bend in ways you don't want them to.

[Metalmad]

Thank you guys for the tips !

The carbon fiber decal sheet that I purchased is from Scale Motorsports and does appear to be dead on to what real carbon fiber looks like.

Edited January 17, 2014 by Metalmad