new scx-10 kit, bad decals?

[cogfounder]

Are Axial's decals typicaly of poor quality?

The first thing I noticed was that the decals had shunken quite a bit
over the transfer paper. You could see this around the sheets edge,
and all the pre-cut decals.

I believe they applied too much heat during the ink-drying process,
as these are silk-screened decals, just before they entered the
die-cutting press. (I worked in this field for several years.)

Next, I noticed how thick and stiff they were, and when I
tried to apply them, the glue would just not adhere.

The shrinkage over heating causes would thicken the decals a bit,
and the excessive heat would ruin the adhesive.

I cleaned the body very well, inside and out, as this sample is
getting painted olive drab with a military "show truck" theme,
but after painting the inside, I decided the gloss look fitted
the theme better, so these stickers would not stick, or conform
to a new, clean, OEM polycarb body. And yes, I did remove the
paint-n-peel outer mask. Even decals on a flat surface would lift.

I did not care for their window mask tape either, because its
just that. Masking tape. It pig-tails like crazy, and has far to
agressive adhesive.

What I am getting at is:
Is this just how it is, or should I be asking Axial for a replacement
decal sheet? My samples are completely unusable.
Should we ALL be asking Axial for new sheets?

Also, are there any other decal sheets that come close to
matching the massive headlights on this '50-ish pickup?

Thank you,
All comments welcome.

COG

[toyofast]

Who uses the stickers? Only decals worth using are headlights, grill and tail lights... that is if you don't plumb in working lights.


I think you're trying to get worked up over a .50 cents worth of cheap stickers.

[riz]

You said " Who uses the stickers? " yet I've been asking if anybody has a Honcho decal sheet since the kit came out and have seen tons built on here without the decals yet nobody has replied that they have a sheet to sell ???????? I find it odd.

RIZ

[toyofast]

Originally Posted by riz

You said " Who uses the stickers? " yet I've been asking if anybody has a Honcho decal sheet since the kit came out and have seen tons built on here without the decals yet nobody has replied that they have a sheet to sell ???????? I find it odd.

RIZ

I know I have a file folder that is filled with decal sheets that have not been used or have been partially used. My decals range from mid-'80s to current. I keep all of them. Just like I keep all the bodies I've used on my RC's.

[cogfounder]

Originally Posted by toyofast

Who uses the stickers? Only decals worth using are headlights, grill and tail lights... that is if you don't plumb in working lights.


I think you're trying to get worked up over a .50 cents worth of cheap stickers.

Oddly enough, those are the only decals I was trying to use.

I wondered if Axial might have had a bad run of stickers,
and put this out to see if others had this same problem,
or if these decals are all just crap anyway.

The place I bought my kit has a warehouse in Texas,
and it could be the decals got cooked there after they were recieved.

Now if everybody chimed in that their decals were OK, except for
the people that bought their kits where I did, well that would
be valuable information for someone looking to buy an SCX-10,
and who actually want to use their decals.

Like me.

[Turn'Nburn]

i haven't experienced this with any of my different axial decal sheets. mine have all looked and worked fine. sounds like you got bad decals. it happens. call axial's customer support, they are very helpful.

[shadowtrucker95]

the sticker sheet that came with my TR looked fine, as hard as they try not to, everybody is capable of screwing up.

[team3six]

If you ordered a truck from a tower or some other large online rc warehouse, there is a chance that the skid was loaded onto the rack and possibly close to the heating unit. If this is the older style shells. Chances are that it has been sitting in stock for a bit and that would contribute to it as well. I have painted tons of Axial shells and had no issues with the decals that i can count. just contact Axial and i am sure they will send a sheet.

[punkuup5150]

Originally Posted by riz

You said " Who uses the stickers? " yet I've been asking if anybody has a Honcho decal sheet since the kit came out and have seen tons built on here without the decals yet nobody has replied that they have a sheet to sell ???????? I find it odd.

RIZ

ill check my box i may have a partial one all i used was the window stickers and headlights lol they are not my cup of tea. pm me if i forget to look