1:48 Plywood - Beech (this decal must be varnished before it is used)

What the sheet is for

The sheet carries a continuous print imitating the figure of beech plywood in 1:48 scale. It is used wherever wood is to be seen on a model and where painting by hand would be laborious and would come out uneven anyway: on areas covered with veneer, on floors and on other wooden parts. The print is continuous, so you cut the shape out exactly to the area you need to cover and the rest of the sheet stays available for the next model.

Varnish first, water afterward

According to the name the sheet has to be varnished before use. Let gloss varnish fall on it in several thin coats, best from a spray can or from an airbrush, and let it dry out thoroughly. The varnish holds the thin print together; otherwise it falls apart in the water. Only then cut out the shape you need, soak it for a few seconds in lukewarm water and let it rest until the film begins to slide over the paper.

Application tips

Polish the area under the decal to a gloss; on a matte surface the edge of the film gives itself away with a white halo of silvering. The film tends to be semi-transparent, so unify the surface beneath in advance with a light base, so that the figure of the wood stands out. Watch the direction of the figure: on veneer it runs along the length of the area, not across it. Soak the surplus water up with a soft cloth, help the film over edges and rivets with a decal softener and protect the finished surface with a varnish in whatever sheen the result is to have.

Who the sheet is for

For builders of models in 1:48 scale who need a true figure of wood over a larger area. The package contains the decal sheet. The model, paints, varnish, glue and decal softener are not included, unless stated otherwise.