I Don't Have - All The Answers!

    So when it comes to "Super Structures" and building them on models, I'd say my ole buddy - Joe E. Brown has all the answers you & I - Both Need!.    Joe has filled his website with all sorts of model building tips and examples too, and between his site & mine, your pretty well covered in just about every subject in modeling.      So if your planning on using "Clear Plastics" or so-called Acrylics to build scale model - structures, then check out Joe's = WebSite at the Belwo Weblink!.

Visit Joe's - Construction Tips Pages at ...

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Tap Photo to Enlarge

     Here, I've assembled the "Pilot House" on a model, using "Clear" Acrylic Plastic sheets, then used masking tape to mark off the Windows & Doorways on the Structure.    Once these area's have been covered by short lengths of masking tape, I mark off the lines of doors or windows, on the tape.    Then gently cut the excess tape - away, with a fresh blade in an hobby - xacto knife,     I remove only the excess tape, leaving the door or window pattern to cover the plastic, while I spray paint the structure.    And I often completely cover the interior areas, to avoid over spray from ruining the windows, which may require me to mask and also - cut patterns on the inside of the structure too.    Here, things must be lined up, very carefully, otherwise the patterns - miss match, and don't look right.

    I use CA - Quick Setting Super Glue, to gently seal the edges of the structures, but I do this, very carefully to avoid the glue - running onto areas that may become windows.    On large structures, I also usually add 1/4" "Triangle" wood braces = in the corners, to give added strength.    Unless the structure is to small - to do this, such as in the case of a Helm - for example, where space doesn't allow you the room to do this.    

    Plexiglas is sorta neat stuff, cause if your careful - with it, you can even bend it with heat! ..... And using a heat gun, along with some sorta of metal form, with which to bend the plastic to the shape you desire, the material is easy to gently bend into just about any shape you want-it.    But does take some practice to accomplish the results desired, sort of like Vac-U-Forming Plastics', which works in a similar manner, where you heat the plastic to bend it to a form or over a plug - Pattern. 

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How To Make - Decals

    Its A Fact of Life ...... 99% of the time, your wasting your time, looking for decals of any kind, unless your a model railroader.    Or their supplied - with a model kit when you bought-it.    But don't get to disappointed - Yet.     There are ways around this hassle in many cases.    "If your willing to gather the proper - tools and learn a few new skills on the ole pc, and willing to use them to widen your modeling experiences. ... If So = Then Read Further Below!

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What's Needed to Make a Decal

Do You Have A B/W Or Color - PRINTER?

    #1 ... "You will Need A Good Design - Software" on your Pc Too!" .... For example, a software that creates or works with "Drawings, Post Cards, B & W and/or Color Photos or will make - Posters, Signs, Greeting Cards - Etc.    These types of software programs usually will offer a wide choice of fonts, background styles and ready-made projects to get you started learning how to use them.    And most are often paired or included with your "Color Printer" software and usually provide some or all of what you may need.    So 1st - check your pc software and see if your system has a program like = Metafile Companion, Photo Draw, Power Point or maybe Microsoft Word or Picture Draw and Others similar to those just mentioned.    I myself,  happen to prefer - PRINT MASTER GOLD ... because all you need is some practice to learn your way around it.   Thnn you can start creating all sorts of things, including decals and books to cover your models - documentation and photos.    

   #2 ... Naturally a Color Printer - IS BEST ...... But even simple B/W Laser Printers - will do some things, but with color you can create whatever is needed ...... Except for the Color WHITE.    Printers - won't create this color, so it has to be provided in "One of Two Ways", either by the material used to print the logo or decal.    Or by the location the decal is going to be placed, example = A White Painted Structure of a model ship will provide the White Background for the decal - if necessary?

    SPECIAL NOTE.... You must use the proper Type of "Decal Sheet" or Decal Paper, designed for your printer ( Meaning - Its Name Brand & Model # ), must be mentioned on the "Decal Papers" information, so you know it will work correctly.    Decal Paper is available from several sources ( In Either Clear = Transparency or White - Sheets ), and work with most all popular brands of printers, whether their  Bubble Jet or Ink - Jet, or just B/W Laser Printers!

Sources For - Decal Sheets

    Apollo Transparency Film - for Inkjet Printers .... Available at Office Depot & Other Supply Stores.   Also offers a White - Sheet version too! ... NOTES -  Must be clear coated with an enamel spray paint, once the decal is dry!    Visit their web ((  http://www.apollopresentation.com/  ))

    SuperCal - Decal Paper - for Inkjet Printers with Six Easy Steps  ..... Available at Office Depot & Other Supply Stores, as well as some hobby shops.    NOTES -  Must be spray coated with same source = Spray Clear Coat, once decal is completely dry!  ...  Visit their web at  (( http://www.paper-paper.com  ))

Copying Decals on PC - SCANNERS?

     PC Scanner's are Optional Items that really pay for themselves ....... And cost about $100.00 for a basic - Flatbed Scanner Model that will do - Color or B&W scans.    Capable of copying - most Anything ( Photos / Drawings or Photos ), this certainly includes copying already - printed decals too.    And scanners provide variables in "High Quality to Simple Settings" of DPI = Dots - Per Inch.    So the details can be very fine ( like a Photo ), or simple and easy, as you wish.   And the More - DPI's used, the clearer the details, so these things really can copy - just about anything, you can fit into a scanner.    That includes color photos, cartoons, ready made decals, book patterns or fonts and even website - drawings, photos, and other material you can apply and use.    All which make up possible parts of a logo or decal design for a model boat!..... Nuff Said!!

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Here's Some Decal Examples - I've Made!

    I like to use - Print Master Gold -software to create and scale ( Up or Down ), most all of my decals, including those that use simple drawings or plain B/W artwork.    This software scales drawings - Up or Down, and provides hundreds of Fonts and Colors and works with Color Photos too.    And I can make 3-D style Decals too, and you can flip the drawing or decal backwards too.    So its printed side is down, when placed on a clear sheet of decal paper, and you can make - Left Or Right-hand versions.    That way, the decal is further protected from moisture.    Create what ya want from a book, drawings, photos or from scratch, it even has some drawings and designs to get you started.

Tap To Enlarge Drawing

      These decals were printed on "White Decal paper and were scaled ( Up /  Down ), to whatever required size - is needed.    "o Ahead Copy Them,  compliments of "Old River Bill".     The 3rd drawing - Above Right, is used to make a detailed Interior of a Helm Consol, and when its "Back-lighted", with a small light bulb, mounted under the helm - dash    Its lights - up, like a real dash full of instruments and gauges.    

Reverse - Printed Decals!

        Why Would You Wanna REVERSE a = Decal? ... Because when they're printed - like this, on clear decal sheets, once their "Flipped Over" and pasted in place, they can be clear coated to seal them from moisture.    It  further protects their decal - ink, from moisture after their dried and then - Clear Spray = Sealed.   "But regardless of whether its printed normally or reversed, decals must always be given a clear coating of "Spray Decal Coating, which is mainly the same stuff as "Clear Enamel" spray paint.    So seal both sides, cause printer ink - naturally runs, if it gets wet!

Tap To Enlarge Drawing

    Old Glory - is a perfect example of a "Reversed Decal".    When Printed, this decal provides both - "Left & Right" sides, which you simply fold, then seal together to make the flag.    Its also perfectly aligned when printed on standard type - paper sheets and can be coated to seal it from moisture later.    Once spray coated to seal from moisture with a "Clear Enamel" Spray Paint, the decal is folded and mounted on a length of string and its two sides are sealed with glue.    When folded with the fine - black thread, used as the line top raise and hold the flag on the mast, its ready to install.    And when slightly - bent or folded,  the flag appears to be flying in the wind.    Oh Yeah .... Be sure to scale this drawing ( Enlarge Or Reduce - It ), to whatever size you need?   And then print - copies, or a whole sheet of flags, for example, several times with a slight amounts of space between each copy, so you can make multiple flag - decals!

I'll Post More - Later, Check Back Often!

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Last Updated On 06/29/23 . With