Lozenge decal blues

davecww1 · 3 December 2005, 11:15 AM

More in the ongoing saga of the Eduard D.VII build... I am currently doing the lozenge decals using Americal Gryphon 4 color lozenge. I covered the fuselage completely with no problems, then was doing the upper and lower wings and ran out of the lozenge decals when about half done. (I did 3 strips on the upper wing center section and 4 strips on the lower wing) Then I got the new sheet that I ordered from americal a couple of months ago, and when I applied them I noticed a great color descrepency! The dark green on the older ones was a bright green color, while on the new sheets it was a black green color, much darker. all 3 other colors were perfect matches. Not sure if I should redo the center section with the new color, or if there were enough variations in dye lots between batches of fabric used at the factory to explain this color difference.
Oh well,
Dave

StephenLawson · 3 December 2005, 01:24 PM

Greetings davecww1;
Possibly a dark translucent overcoat of the brighter green strips? It might tone the variation down considerably? Brad C. has done some interesting depth detailing of lozenge under his Alb. D.III thread. I think he is doing a Fok. D.VII as well. He uses Tamiya smoke..correct me if I'm wrong Brad. Also light applications of white. I certainly like the overall fabric look of the finished product. Happy Holidays!

Mr_Flibble · 3 December 2005, 03:25 PM

Can't help you with your problem I'm afraid...

...But I just opened the box of the Eastern Express Siemens-Schuckert D.III/D.IV I was going to build and the Lozenge decals just make me want to break down and cry. There's only one dark coloured decal for the top of the top wing, but all the others are light. Guess I'll be ordering some new sheets too...

davecww1 · 3 December 2005, 06:20 PM

Hi Stephen,
I was thinking of doing a light tint to tone down the lozenge, but since some are darker than others I don't think that will even it up enough. You gave me an idea anyway, I think I will take a bottle of black green, a fine brush and hand paint in the bright green areas. then the overspray will blend everything together. luckily there are only 3 strips in the lighter color on the upper wing. Lower winfg should be ok, I think I have enough scraps from the old colors to patch up the wing tips in matching colors.
I'll let you all know how it goes. has anyone else noticed such color descrepancy when buying the Americal Gryphon decals over the years? This is the first time I noticed this in over 10 years of using Americal decals.
Dave

mgtaylor · 3 December 2005, 07:12 PM

If anybody needs it I can take any Top color lozenge Decal Print in any scale and Make a Custom sheet of Interior Lozenge Decal Print Matched to it?
Just write me?

www.misterkitusa.com

StephenLawson · 4 December 2005, 02:24 PM

Greetings davecwwi; I ran into it with my 1/72 Zep Staaken R.VI (six full sheets.) But it was a case where the Staaken scheme I chose with hex / splinter was painted on the existing fabric. So my touch up paints also went to having a few out of tune lozenges on purpose. Your fix sounds reasonable and not too time consuming. Have you tried it on a scrap surface first? Let us know how it turns out.

davecww1 · 10 December 2005, 05:00 PM

Sorry for taking a few days between posts... The spot painting of the lighter green with Model master German black green worked great, this matched the new decal colors perfectly after a coat of Future to seal them. Only took about 15 minutes or so to do the 3 strips on the upper wing that did not match. After I finish applying the blue rib tapes I will shoot on a very thinned coat of ivory to represent the varnish, and tone down the colors somewhat.
Dave

Mr_Flibble · 12 December 2005, 03:35 AM

Well done on fixing your problem!

I myself, in the meantime, had some trouble with a sheet of FCM decals. When I had figured out how to apply them after 24 hours they came off with the protective layer

bah.

otis goodin · 12 December 2005, 08:06 PM

Most of the time in 1/48th I use Eagle Strike decals. I just think the quality is more consistent and they are easier to apply (for me at least). Americals is good, but lately I've had a problem with the decals being brittle and shredding on the edges when I cut them. Also, they don't seem to adhere to the surface as well as Eagle Strike. Also Eagle Strike can be ordered from Squadron and are easier to get. That doesn't solve your current problem, but it may help for future projects.

Copperhead · 15 December 2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Flibble

Well done on fixing your problem!

I myself, in the meantime, had some trouble with a sheet of FCM decals. When I had figured out how to apply them after 24 hours they came off with the protective layer

bah.

Hey bud, the only problem I had with FCM decals ( I got the ones for the SPAD XIII,) was they really looked terrible until you got mt Rushmore off the top JW