Whats Lying on your Workbench MK IV

[Papa Rat]

That sounds very cool. Definitely worth exploring. Thanks

[SteveTheFish]

This week I bought myself a birthday present and pre-ordered the upcoming Hasegawa Glaug kit on Hobby Search. I imagine it'll ship around the 1st of April. 

So does anyone have any recommendations on how to strip decals off a model while leaving the lacquer paint job underneath intact? I had some decals on a Star Trek Enteprise model break apart and I did buy replacements, however I'd already applied the Micro Sol to melt the bad ones onto the pylons. I often use Zippo lighter fluid to remove price tags from cardboard and plastic without ruining the surface. Do you think that would work? It's either that or lightly sanding the decals away with 3000 grit sanding sponges or something. It's been eight years since I gave up on that model, but it would be nice to get back to it. and finally finish it.

[pengbuzz]

6 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

This week I bought myself a birthday present and pre-ordered the upcoming Hasegawa Glaug kit on Hobby Search. I imagine it'll ship around the 1st of April. 

So does anyone have any recommendations on how to strip decals off a model while leaving the lacquer paint job underneath intact? I had some decals on a Star Trek Enteprise model break apart and I did buy replacements, however I'd already applied the Micro Sol to melt the bad ones onto the pylons. I often use Zippo lighter fluid to remove price tags from cardboard and plastic without ruining the surface. Do you think that would work? It's either that or lightly sanding the decals away with 3000 grit sanding sponges or something. It's been eight years since I gave up on that model, but it would be nice to get back to it. and finally finish it.

I've tried this on mine and it works fairly well (had to do this for my USS Reliant model kit when I replaced the hull registry on the saucer)

1) lightly scuff-sand the surface with #0000 grade steel wool (to remove any clear coat from the decals)

2) get some 3M office masking tape (beige kind, NOT that crappy "blue stuff, look in the stationery dept at Walmart for it), press it down firmly, smooth it out and wait 1 minute. Then, pull it up sharply; this should take at least some of the decal with it without ruining the paint (yes, even that which had Micro-Sol applied). Reapply a fresh piece of tape for each "pull" until you get it all off.

3) If any is stubbornly left on (or 2 isn't working), apply Micro-Sol, wait 3 minutes and then try with fresh tape again. It should break the bond without harming the paint.

Let me know how this works for you; I've had good luck with this process on several models besides the reliant!

-pengbuzz

[SteveTheFish]

1 hour ago, pengbuzz said:

I've tried this on mine and it works fairly well (had to do this for my USS Reliant model kit when I replaced the hull registry on the saucer)

1) lightly scuff-sand the surface with #0000 grade steel wool (to remove any clear coat from the decals)

2) get some 3M office masking tape (beige kind, NOT that crappy "blue stuff, look in the stationery dept at Walmart for it), press it down firmly, smooth it out and wait 1 minute. Then, pull it up sharply; this should take at least some of the decal with it without ruining the paint (yes, even that which had Micro-Sol applied). Reapply a fresh piece of tape for each "pull" until you get it all off.

3) If any is stubbornly left on (or 2 isn't working), apply Micro-Sol, wait 3 minutes and then try with fresh tape again. It should break the bond without harming the paint.

Let me know how this works for you; I've had good luck with this process on several models besides the reliant!

-pengbuzz

Thanks. I knew about the tape trick. I actually tried that first. There is no clear coat, so I can just apply some Micro Sol to it and try from there. I didn't think about doing so, but that makes sense because it re-loosens the decals a bit. Thanks!

[pengbuzz]

4 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

Thanks. I knew about the tape trick. I actually tried that first. There is no clear coat, so I can just apply some Micro Sol to it and try from there. I didn't think about doing so, but that makes sense because it re-loosens the decals a bit. Thanks!

Yeah, it should loosen them without harming the paint, and you can keep reapplying it until it gives.

[electric indigo]

Current state of affairs.

[Big s]

On 3/7/2025 at 2:04 AM, SteveTheFish said:

Thanks. I knew about the tape trick. I actually tried that first. There is no clear coat, so I can just apply some Micro Sol to it and try from there. I didn't think about doing so, but that makes sense because it re-loosens the decals a bit. Thanks!

If it’s slightly stubborn, you could also try a little warm water with a soaked tissue or cloth. Since it doesn’t have the topcoat, it could help lift it.

[derex3592]

My current state of affairs... 🤣 

However! Wife and I decided that we can replace my good old $150 Walmart PC computer turned model desk (pictured along with my grandmothers collapsable dining room table that's basically now just the kitty feeding station..hahaha,  she would kill me) that has been in service since about 2003! VERY excited for a whole new modeling room setup in about two-three weeks! 😁 

Stay tuned! 

Edited Sunday at 04:41 PM by derex3592

[Thom]

1 hour ago, derex3592 said:

My current state of affairs... 🤣 

However! Wife and I decided that we can replace my good old $150 Walmart PC computer turned model desk that has been in service since about 2003! VERY excited for a whole new modeling room setup in about two-three weeks! 😁 

Stay tuned! 

I wouldn't mind having those tables to model on! Congrats on the coming improvements.

[Papa Rat]

4 hours ago, derex3592 said:

My current state of affairs... 🤣 

However! Wife and I decided that we can replace my good old $150 Walmart PC computer turned model desk (pictured along with my grandmothers collapsable dining room table that's basically now just the kitty feeding station..hahaha,  she would kill me) that has been in service since about 2003! VERY excited for a whole new modeling room setup in about two-three weeks! 😁 

Stay tuned! 

Exciting! 👍

I’m a month you will be so pumped!

[Urashiman]

It has been a while. I‘ve been fiddling with the VF-9 again and decided I need a test print to check if everything is fitting. I only need to decide what to do with the main landing gear. Anyway… pictures.

And a size comparison.

[Papa Rat]

2 minutes ago, Urashiman said:

It has been a while. I‘ve been fiddling with the VF-9 again and decided I need a test print to check if everything is fitting. I only need to decide what to do with the main landing gear. Anyway… pictures.

And a size comparison.

Wow. That looks great! Are you printing these yourself?

[Urashiman]

8 minutes ago, Papa Rat said:

Wow. That looks great! Are you printing these yourself?

CAD and printing by me, so yes

thanks!

Edited Sunday at 07:57 PM by Urashiman

[mechaninac]

43 minutes ago, Urashiman said:

It has been a while. I‘ve been fiddling with the VF-9 again and decided I need a test print to check if everything is fitting. I only need to decide what to do with the main landing gear. Anyway… pictures.

And a size comparison.

Fan-frick'n-tastic!

[Papa Rat]

Made a bunch of progress this weekend on the Volks 1:144 V Siren Prominence. 
It’s been a quick and fun one. Only issue I am having is the PC for the head doesn’t hold and I think I’m going to have to glue it. It’s as though the sizing is off. Maybe it’s just me. lol
 

Anyway, I just need to do some detail work, masking/painting and decals and then it’s time for the Plamax VF-1J. I finally got one a few weeks ago for a good price and have been looking forward to it!

I really need to up my photo game. The lighting is garbage.  I swear this isn’t lemon yellow  hahaha  

Edited Sunday at 10:03 PM by Papa Rat

[Big s]

1 hour ago, Papa Rat said:

Only issue I am having is the PC for the head doesn’t hold and I think I’m going to have to glue it. It’s as though the sizing is off. Maybe it’s just me. lol

You could always thicken the part that goes in with a layer or two of super glue if it’s really loose. Just a drop or two and let it harden till it’s thick enough to get some tension. If it’s just a little, some thinned down gloss coat can work.

[Thom]

@Urashiman Great work on the CAD and printing. Lot of work such a result.

@Papa Rat Interesting looking mech. It's an eye catcher.

[Urashiman]

8 hours ago, Papa Rat said:

Made a bunch of progress this weekend on the Volks 1:144 V Siren Prominence. 
It’s been a quick and fun one. Only issue I am having is the PC for the head doesn’t hold and I think I’m going to have to glue it. It’s as though the sizing is off. Maybe it’s just me. lol
 

Anyway, I just need to do some detail work, masking/painting and decals and then it’s time for the Plamax VF-1J. I finally got one a few weeks ago for a good price and have been looking forward to it!

I really need to up my photo game. The lighting is garbage.  I swear this isn’t lemon yellow  hahaha  

Reminds me a bit of the mosquito girl from one punch man XD

only a bit…

 

@Thom thanks!

[Papa Rat]

57 minutes ago, Urashiman said:

Reminds me a bit of the mosquito girl from one punch man XD

only a bit…

 

@Thom thanks!

Hahaha. I can see that. Those horn and skinny legs are a look for sure  

Once the arms get added along with leg and shoulder/arm armor it will look more balanced. 

[SteveTheFish]

I think I mentioned before on here that I have resolved to complete the 350 scale Klingon K'tinga by Polar Lights, which I'd had in a box on the floor for 6-7 years. I had done most of the pattern painting for the design on the wings and such, but had yet to paint the main hull green color. Well, I finally painted it and it was time to remove the masking tape and masking solution that's been stuck on the model for all these years. A lot of it did not want to cooperate. Fortunately, none of the Tamiya acrylic paint was lifted off, but a lot of residue remained and the masking solution in particular was extremely stubborn. I've been using Locktite blue tack to lift up the stickiness with great success, and applying Zippo lighter fluid with a swab to slowly loosen up the old masking solution and then using the blue tack is doing the trick. The paint has not been disturbed. 

[Big s]

1 hour ago, SteveTheFish said:

I think I mentioned before on here that I have resolved to complete the 350 scale Klingon K'tinga by Polar Lights, which I'd had in a box on the floor for 6-7 years. I had done most of the pattern painting for the design on the wings and such, but had yet to paint the main hull green color. Well, I finally painted it and it was time to remove the masking tape and masking solution that's been stuck on the model for all these years. A lot of it did not want to cooperate. Fortunately, none of the Tamiya acrylic paint was lifted off, but a lot of residue remained and the masking solution in particular was extremely stubborn. I've been using Locktite blue tack to lift up the stickiness with great success, and applying Zippo lighter fluid with a swab to slowly loosen up the old masking solution and then using the blue tack is doing the trick. The paint has not been disturbed. 

Could try some warm water and see if that helps soften the residue 

[electric indigo]

@SteveTheFish Please share some photos of the kit.

[Papa Rat]

Put a fork in it, it’s done. 1:144 V Siren Prominence. 
This kit has been the most fun so far in my first year of building. Not saying much honestly considering. Hahaha. 
So hard to capture that on a phone photo but there are so many fun shiny/sparkly bits in this one. Also had to do lots of detail hand painting which was very challenging. I think the end results are passable. It will get better with practice. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Papa Rat
Spelling

[Big s]

2 minutes ago, Papa Rat said:

Put a fork in it, it’s done. 1:144 V Siren Prominence. 
This kit has been the most fun so far in my first year of building. Not saying much honestly considering. Hahaha. 
So hard to capture that n a phone photo but there are so many fun shiny/sparkly bits in this one. Also had to do lots of detail hand painting which was very challenging. I think the end results are passable. It will get better with practice. 

Looks really great, thanks for sharing. 

[Papa Rat]

8 minutes ago, Big s said:

Looks really great, thanks for sharing. 

Thanks. Appreciate it. 😊