DECAL INSTRUCTIONS

Vexillarius decals are painstakingly handmade using multiple ALPS printers. These tempermental, cartridge driven, dry ink printers typically print about 100 decal sheets before requiring an expensive overhaul at the factory. However, in the hands of a master, the short-lived ALPS produces stunning and precise images, doing one thing that all other printers can't--print in white ink (very important for decals).


DECAL SETTING INSTUCTIONS:


1. ALL DECALS ARE TRIM TO SUIT--MEANING YOU MUST TRIM AS CLOSE TO THE GRAPHIC WITHOUT CUTTING INTO IT. (NOTE: ALL P-40 CNEs & AAF STARS ARE PRE-CUT TO FIT, SWASES TRIM A TIGHT SQUARE AROUND PERIMETER BEING CAREFUL NOT TO CUT INTO THE WHITE BORDER).


2. PLACE DECAL IN WARM WATER FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS THEN SET ON A COOL PLATE FOR ANOTHER MINUTE BEFORE SEPARATING IT FROM THE PAPER. PUT A LITTLE WATER ON THE AREA WHERE THE DECAL IS TO GO FOR "SLIDE TIME"--ON SMALLER DECALS A GOOD TRICK IS TO USE A 3X3 INCH PIECE OF CLEAR PLASTIC AND TRANSFER THE DECAL ONTO IT WHICH WILL ALLOW THE POSITIONING AREA TO BE SEEN THRU THE PLASTIC AND LINED-UP EASIER.


3. ONCE THE DECAL IS IN POSITION USE A SOFT BRISTLE ARTIST BRUSH TO REMOVE BUBBLES AND EXCESS WATER AND WORK THE DECAL DOWN INTO THE LINES OF THE AIRCRAFT WHERE NEEDED.

4. WHILE STILL WET, CAREFULLY APPLY A COAT OF MICRO-SOL TO THE SURFACE OF THE DECAL. THIS WILL "MELT" THE DECAL THE PANEL LINES AND ROUGH AREAS AND GIVE IT THE PAINTED ON LOOK. ATTEMPTING TO REPOSITION DECALS AFTER THE MICROSOL APPLICATION IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

5. ONCE THE DECAL IS DRY, APPLYING A THIN LAYER OF MICROFLAT WILL TAKE THE SHINE OFF THE DECAL AND SEAL THE IMAGE. DO NOT ALLOW ANY MICROFLAT TO CONTACT THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC.

Decals will add a great deal of realism to the model and it is a skill that is learned quickly. Human errors are distinctly possible, however, and there is no shame in reordering to get the job done right. In our experience, we have never had a "defective" decal, so if you make a mistake please suck it up and order another. All decal sales are final.