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Ted’s Modeling Blog

Sharing hints, tips and topics to help build that realistic model

Welcome to my new means of communicating ideas, techniques and more with you in order to help you produce more realistic models.

I’ll let you know of new products and promotions so you can get in early. I carry a vast assortment of products and therefore I can’t have large quantities of any one item. If something is out of stock, you can receive an email when it’s available again.

I often receive questions regarding fitment of parts on my website or questions on technique and now I can share these topics with you.

I will post photos of competed models as well as works-in-progress. Send me your photos at TedsModeling@gmail.com. If you have a means to adjust the size, make them 4.5″ x 2.25″ or 925 pixels x 425 pixels at a resolution of 200. If you’re sending them from your phone, select ‘normal’ or ‘medium’.

I will also be showing and discussing real life cars and parts in order to make your models life-like and realistic.

I want to thank my suppliers and manufacturers for letting me represent them and their products. I truly have the highest quality parts because of them.

**Visit us at TedsModelingMarketplace.com**

TED’S MODELING BLOG

DECALS, MICRO SOL & MICRO SET

I received an email asking the following (edited for clarity):

I’m not familiar with Micro set, setting solution. Do you brush it on after the decal is off the sheet or do you put it on the decal? Please help, really confused. I would like to add a large body stripe over the rear spoiler.

Here was my reply (comments added for more information):

First off, decals like glossy surfaces because the surface is really smooth. They don’t adhere or set well on dull surfaces. Paint the area/body first with a gloss paint and/or use a clear coat. Future also works like a gloss coat.

Micro Set helps set the decal and goes on before and after placing the decal. It allows you to move the decal around more, without wrinkling or tearing, to get it in the position you want. Use a small brush to work the Micro Set in and around the decal. Add a little water or more Micro Set as you’re placing the decal so that it doesn’t get dry. You can’t move a dry decal.

Use Micro Set (if using both) before using Micro Sol. An easy way to remember is to think, “I have to set the decal before I can use the solution”. You can use Micro Sol without using Micro Set and vis versa.

Micro Sol helps the decal fit over irregular edges and contours. It softens the decal and lets it ‘drape’ into place. Since the decal is softer, it will tear and wrinkle easily. It’s best to put the decal in place, put a little Micro Sol over it. Using a small brush, work out the air bubbles from the center of the decal out to the edges, to get the decal to lay down. Then leave it alone for at least 24 hours. It will settle in place by itself. If you put the Micro Sol on before placing the decal, you have a chance of ruining it because of the softness of the decal.

Thanks,

Ted

Visit our online store at TedsModelingMarketplace.com

Ted’s Modeling Blog

Sharing hints, tips and topics to help build that realistic model

CHOOSING THE RIGHT 1/25 SCALE RACING SLICKS

There are many slicks available and deciding which size can take a while. I have dimensions in each ad for OD, ID, width and tread width. This means you have to go to each ad and compare dimensions and descriptions. I’ll make is easier. Here is a comparison photo of almost all of the slicks I carry.

Slicks are listed from left to right (small to large):

A pair of slicks that didn’t make the photo lineups and comparison table is Competition Resin’s ‘Wrinkle Wall” drag slicks (CRT-504). Compared to the lineup photos, this slick would fall between CRT-510 and RU-1736. It has small flat spot on the tread where the ‘wrinkle’ is found. It also has “Good Year” in raised letters on the sidewall.

All slicks are soft and most kit wheels and aftermarket wheels will fit. If your wheels are slightly larger in diamter than the inside diamter (ID) of the slicks you want, they will stretch slightly.

In my opinion, the Futurattraction slicks have a more realistic sidewall and are more realistic overall.

Don’t forget to put the slicks in a drill and run the tread over a light sandpaper (#600 for example) to give them a worn look. The Comp Resin slicks have a seam down the middle and they have to be sanded while the Futurattraction don’t have to if you don’t want to spend the time.