1:72 Woodgrain Decal Aircraft Coarse

Coarser growth rings for a more pronounced surface

The grain of wood does not look the same on every object. The wide bands of darker growth rings this sheet carries correspond to a cut through boards and planks, that is to surfaces which were not polished smooth. On a model they suit places where the texture is meant to be apparent at first glance: on planking, on the wooden parts of vehicles, on propellers of large dimensions, on floors and on the wooden crates in a diorama.

Why a decal and not paint

Painting wood by hand calls for several coats and above all for a steady hand. A printed grain, by contrast, keeps the same density over the whole area and does not depend on how well one manages to guide a brush. The material is thin and flexible once soaked, so it can be drawn down even onto a slightly curved surface. Two A5 sheets are enough for a whole row of parts.

A sequence of steps that has proved itself

Coat the surface underneath with a smooth gloss varnish in a light tone, as on dark paint the grain disappears. Cut the film off with a margin, soak it and lay it on. While it is still damp, align the direction of the growth rings to the longitudinal axis of the part, because a grain turned the wrong way gives the imitation away instantly. Trim the excess with a sharp scalpel only once it has dried, otherwise the film tears. Fine-tune the color tone with an oil glaze and finally secure the area with an overcoat of varnish.

Contents

The package consists of the decals themselves. It does not include paints, a decal softener or model parts, and anyone building a whole wooden surface for the first time should try the procedure on an offcut first. A saved remnant of the sheet will moreover serve as a reserve for later repairs to a damaged spot.