R/C Helicopter Hobby in Singapore

 

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Article 6: How to apply decals onto the canopy?

When I first got my Hirobo Sceadu, I have a tough time fixing on the decals. The task was made more difficult as the canopy was painted orange. Fortunately, I have the help of an artistic friend. She did a wonderful job of applying the decals onto the canopy.

For my Freya X-Spec, I have to go through the task of applying decals again. I gave up after trying to put on two pieces of decals. It is extremely difficult to do the alignment. If you like to correct the position of the decals, then you will have to peel off the decals carefully. Yucks....this is more difficult than assemblying the helicopter.

The decals that I applied are ugly! Note that there are folds, crumbles and the alignment is out! Sadly, these two pieces have to be discarded.

I always wonder how my flying buddy Kang apply decals onto his helicopters. He has owned several helicopters before and I admire how neat and symetrical the decals are. So I asked him and he taught me a clever method.

According to Kang, you just need soap water. First, before you apply the decals onto the canopy, you apply soap water to the sticky part of the decal. Then position the wet and soapy decal onto the canopy. You can keep adjusting as long as the decal is still wet and soapy. Once you get the position you want, you will have to push out any air bubbles and then wait for the decal to dry. Simple but effective method.

The blue scoop contains the magic portion : soap water.

The completed Freya canopy with WC decals. Wow...isn't she a beauty? Thanks Kang for the invaluable advice.