Applying Carbon Fiber Decals

I'm detailing a Williams FW-16 and applied the CF to the front wing and rear wing. I've had great success using Microscale Micro Sol decal setting solution. My tools: patience, a small plate filled with semi warm water, a couple of cutips, a small brush, and a napkin to dry off excess setting solution. I do not use a hair dryer at all. I cut a piece that approximates the shape of the part to be covered and apply decal but not before generously brushing on the micro sol. I then place the decal over the part and use the brush to position the decal as using tweezers or an exacto knife will tear the decal. I continue to brush the micro sol on the decal until the it conforms to the shape of the part. I use a wet cutip to either bend the decal or press the decal to conform over a shape all the while using the microsol. I try this over several times and once done the decal generally has the strength to not tear. Sometimes you have to set the part aside to dry a bit before applying more microsol. After I'm satisfied and the decal has completely dried I paint an acrylic matte or semi gloss over the decal and it looks great. By the way I'm using Scale Motorsports decals and with the exception of one decal sheet have had great success. One other thing, if applying over metal pieces, I do the putty fixing thing and once satisfied apply Duplicolor primer and then Krylon semi gloss black This has worked well for me and I'll continue to use this process. I tried spraying for the carbon fibre effect but realized I'm alot faster this way. Try it you may like it.

Another trick I did with the undertray is I sprayed it using semi gloss black Krylon first. I then mixed Alclad copper and dark aluminum and then sprayed this on the undertray. This followed with Alclad transparent clear yellow. Finally Alclad transparent smoke and you get the effect that the tray is not totally matte black but a carbon kevlar look. I downloaded photoshoot pics of an FW-16 that Andy Mathews had taken and in certain light the undertray looks this way ie not totally black.

The only other technique other than decals would be extensive and time consuming but so right. Take fine mesh screen and bend it over the part to be carbon fibered. Make it a perfect fit and then glue it to that part. Then put a light coat of putty over the screen and let dry. Finally sand to get the effect that it is truly a carbon fiber part. Then possiby primer/paint or just paint. Isn't that what the big boys do?

Gerald