Search found 172 matches

by DaveVan
Wed Nov 22, 2023 9:33 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Applying Walthers Solv-a-set with an airbrush?
Replies: 7
Views: 17575

Re: Applying Walthers Solv-a-set with an airbrush?

Solv-a-set user for 45 years.....never thought of using it in a air brush......but if it works for you,,,,GREAT!
While it is one of the hottest decal solvents I do not have any issues with it. I have been a decal manufacture for 35 years now and when used correctly is great stuff.
by DaveVan
Tue Jun 13, 2023 7:12 am
Forum: Wonderfest 2023
Topic: WF 2023 Pictures and News?
Replies: 2
Views: 2683

Re: WF 2023 Pictures and News?

R2 had a live Youtube thing that went south and had no sound for the most part. But I saw they have a TIE Bomber coming......My most wanted.
by DaveVan
Thu Mar 09, 2023 8:21 am
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: Site security
Replies: 6
Views: 6139

Re: Site security

Maybe just certificate is out of date......happened on a model car site I visit last month.....
by DaveVan
Mon Jan 30, 2023 8:15 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Burnishing Chrome foil
Replies: 19
Views: 61976

Re: Burnishing Chrome foil

I tried to foil a BTTF Delorean And at first it looked good. But after a year it developed small air bubbles in the foil. Not sure what I did.....but on a surface like that of the Razor.....I'd read up on application!
by DaveVan
Fri May 13, 2022 4:19 pm
Forum: Important Site News
Topic: I think I got it fixed....
Replies: 18
Views: 37220

Re: I think I got it fixed....

Seems good here.....as a retired Sr Systems Analyst....thanks for the hard work!
by DaveVan
Sun May 02, 2021 4:07 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: ALPS printer: how to stop white from flaking off
Replies: 5
Views: 18110

Re: ALPS printer: how to stop white from flaking off

Good luck.....I use my 1000 and 5000 as little as I must. I went to a white ink laser but still like the ALPS for the metallic inks.
I used thousands of sheets of BEL paper and never had issues. Spent $100's finding a new paper.
by DaveVan
Sat May 01, 2021 3:39 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: ALPS printer: how to stop white from flaking off
Replies: 5
Views: 18110

Re: ALPS printer: how to stop white from flaking off

The Thermal print head may be failing. I have had ALPS printers from day one. At one time I had a catalog of 200 decals all coming off my ALPS.....laying many inks over each other. When a print head would start to fail multi layers would fail.
Not sure about yours....but a possible cause.
by DaveVan
Fri Feb 12, 2021 7:25 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Decal Paper
Replies: 10
Views: 47400

Re: Decal Paper

Sunnyscopa Waterslide Decal Paper for LASER Printer - CLEAR, US LETTER SIZE 8.5"X11", 10 SHEETS,

It worked OK but I thought it was to thick and glossy for my work.
by DaveVan
Fri Feb 12, 2021 2:11 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Decal Paper
Replies: 10
Views: 47400

Re: Decal Paper

That question is kinda like 'how much to cut down a tree??' Not being a PIA but things changed a few years ago. A woman was able to apply and get a patent on decal paper. Decals have been around since the 1800's but she somehow got it. She then shutdown every supplier in the USA unless they paid up....
by DaveVan
Thu Dec 24, 2020 9:02 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Finishing: Home-made decals
Replies: 70
Views: 273881

Re: Finishing: Home-made decals

Tamiya clear will work. 2 to 3 very light coats. Good luck.
by DaveVan
Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:30 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?
Replies: 26
Views: 144543

Re: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?

91-92% will work on some types lacquer (synthetic) but trial and error.
by DaveVan
Wed Jul 15, 2020 12:46 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?
Replies: 26
Views: 144543

Re: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?

I have found the cheaper the bleach the better.......seems more harsh!!! Dollar store stuff!
by DaveVan
Wed Jul 15, 2020 11:45 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?
Replies: 26
Views: 144543

Re: Getting rid of the undercoat on chromed parts?

That clear/yellow undercoat is a lacquer coating and VERY labor intensive to remove....if you can. Depends on the era/age of the chrome parts.....some undercoat I never get off.......the model car guys (me) fight this all the time! Good luck.
by DaveVan
Tue May 19, 2020 9:39 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Future (Pledge Floor Care) is it gone for good?
Replies: 24
Views: 94109

Re: Future (Pledge Floor Care) is it gone for good?

I bought a bottle of the 'new' stuff. Same bottle, looks the same, smells just like the stuff I have used for 40 years.......I'll try it ASAP and let you know what I think. I hope it works as I am down to a 1/4 bottle of the 'good' stuff.
by DaveVan
Sun May 10, 2020 8:06 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Future (Pledge Floor Care) is it gone for good?
Replies: 24
Views: 94109

Re: Future (Pledge Floor Care) is it gone for good?

Kylwell, Thanks for looking this up. Your saying Pledge Floor Gloss: Is not the same as the Future we knew and loved and that our cherished acrylic floor covering is gone for good. So FineScale is wrong about this? I'm sure the Alclad product is nice, but to me one of the best things about Future i...
by DaveVan
Thu May 07, 2020 6:34 pm
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Goodbye, Model Master (update)
Replies: 22
Views: 80197

Re: Goodbye, Model Master

AZTEK and Pactra too.......memo came out late last year. I am almost all Tamiya other than 'vintage' Testors on hand.....some with 15 cent caps!
RPM has little interest in hobby sales.
by DaveVan
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:03 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making decals
Replies: 22
Views: 75719

Re: Making decals

YEP!!! :shock: :twisted: :evil:
by DaveVan
Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making decals
Replies: 22
Views: 75719

Re: Making decals

Home made rub on transfer have some benefits.....but for me too many negative. A logo with just 5 colors becomes a nightmare to make. You need a heat laminatior too. Single color logo or words work well. and you can rub them on clear decal paper so they work like a waterslide and can be moved around...
by DaveVan
Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:38 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making decals
Replies: 22
Views: 75719

Re: Making decals

Inkjet ink is made to dye white paper and are very opaque. The ink has little to no substance. They also tend to be a bit fuzzy on the edges when printed on inkjet decal paper. GOOD laser ink has a small amount of metal in it and is not a dye but rather has some material substance to it. A laser app...
by DaveVan
Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:22 pm
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making decals
Replies: 22
Views: 75719

Re: Making decals

Inkjet materials do not affect my biz...IMHO they are of a lesser quality for commercial use.
Google BEL DECAL PAPER and it should bring up all the info you may want. BEL was my supplier for 25+ years.
by DaveVan
Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:24 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making decals
Replies: 22
Views: 75719

Re: Making decals

How is that even possible?? What a crazy world we live in..... :? If I didn't have a life I'd spend the time needed to challenge it........but life is to short. It's one of those things that has fallen between the cracks and the legal system is being abused by someone with enough cash to get things...
by DaveVan
Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:47 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Making decals
Replies: 22
Views: 75719

Re: Making decals

I've been in the decal biz since the early 1980's and made them for myself before that. 1. Any vector program is good. I use CorelDraw X5(15) Corel is not cheap...either is AI. There are free programs out there.....but never used them so can't recommend. 2. The BIG issue today. There is a legal figh...
by DaveVan
Thu Mar 12, 2020 5:02 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Removing 20 year old paint
Replies: 19
Views: 52526

Re: Removing 20 year old paint

Cheap DOT 1 brake fluid.....no name brands from Dollar General....works well on hard to remove paint....messy.....
by DaveVan
Sat Feb 15, 2020 8:38 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Pearl or Iridescent finishes to scale
Replies: 11
Views: 29928

Re: Pearl or Iridescent finishes to scale

Tamiya has a spray can transparent pearl that is used over any color. It's a very scale look.
by DaveVan
Tue Feb 11, 2020 9:26 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Has Ambroid disappeared?
Replies: 13
Views: 54997

Re: Has Ambroid disappeared?

Hope the Flexi works well for you.
The P-38 has tempted me....My father in law was the master mechanic for a Squad in Europe WWII
by DaveVan
Tue Feb 04, 2020 10:22 am
Forum: Construction
Topic: Has Ambroid disappeared?
Replies: 13
Views: 54997

Re: Has Ambroid disappeared?

Glorfindel wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2020 8:10 am Flex -I-File.....think I'm going to give that a whirl.
Thanks boys
If you have a Hobby Lobby they carry it....use the 40% coupon.....good deal!!!!!
by DaveVan
Sun Feb 02, 2020 9:47 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Has Ambroid disappeared?
Replies: 13
Views: 54997

Re: Has Ambroid disappeared?

Ambroid & Tenax both shut down years ago. MicroMark sells "SameStuff" which is purportedly a replacement for Ambroid. I've found Flex-i-file's Plast-i-weld a suitable replacement for Tenax. Flex-i-file bottle here too!!!! I was a Pro-Weld only guy....bought up what I could as soon as ...
by DaveVan
Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:18 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces
Replies: 22
Views: 97128

Re: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces

Went and bought a kit by Salvonos model last week and Monday put the chrome tree into a container of bleach for a couple of days and when I took it out very little chrome was gone and had turned into a green powdery substance and the bare spots of plastic had started to turn black. Is this normal w...
by DaveVan
Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:11 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces
Replies: 22
Views: 97128

Re: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces

Try the cheap bleach...like I said in my post....seems harsher than the 'good' stuff....$1 gallon stuff.
by DaveVan
Wed Jan 01, 2020 10:17 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces
Replies: 22
Views: 97128

Re: Stripping "chrome" off model pieces

I use cheap bleach as I can find....seems stronger. ($1 gallon) I put parts in a container that seals and shake it as often as I can. Takes 2 days or so for most.