Decal application? We do it for you!
Has it ever happened to you that you didn't buy a model car because the decals on it were incomplete? Unfortunately, this is quite common, as certain sponsors - especially tobacco ads - are not even allowed on model cars, which can make them look bare or semi-finished. Have you found one of your favourite model car, but you don't want to bother with waterslide decals? Or maybe you're not familiar with the tricks of stickering and you don't want to mess it up, so you'd rather not buy it? If you are struggling with these problems, then listen very carefully now, because we have good news! At Tibormodel, you can now ask us to apply the decals on these cars for you!
We can guarantee this service primarily for those models for which decals are already included by manufacturer. The good news is that while in the past this was not at all a proven practice among manufacturers, nowadays decals are included with more and more cars. This is good because:
- It is quite certain that the decals will fit the car, since the manufacturer made them specifically for that model.
- The decals are of good quality. While stickers of varying quality can be found on the Internet, factory decals are of good quality and they are perforated.
Why is the latter important? Because there are decal sheets where all the inscriptions are printed on one large sticker layer. In practice, this means that if we do not cut the letters or logo perfectly around - which can be quite a challenge for a small inscription - then even though this layer is transparent, it can look very ugly on the car.
This option will be indicated on the product sheet of all model cars where the factory decals set for the model is available. The service of decal application can be ordered for extra charge, the amount of which may vary depending on the model. But why is this so? The answer is to be found in how complicated it is to sticker a particular car. Putting three logos on a racing car in easily accessible and smooth places is much less work than putting dozens of inscriptions on various curves and hard-to-reach places. An example of the latter can be the horizontal parts of the rear wing. In the 90's and 2000's there were also cars that had rear wing made of 2-3 parts, and especially in 1:43 scale it was a bit difficult to put them in place properly. In summary, the prices were calculated depending on the difficulty of decal application.
Decaling is a complex process, during which we use several tools. In addition to the essential tweezers, we also use setting solutions such as decal softener or sticker tensioner. The former is responsible for the fact that the stickers fit into even the most tortuous bends, while the latter ensures that the sticker is stretched on the surface after application and does not peel off days later. We use Microsol and Microset products as a guarantee of good quality. And if we are talking about the warranty, then it may be important information for you that Tibormodel also provides a 2-year warranty for the stickered models.
Storage and maintenance of car models
However, the years are not kind to model cars either. As first, the condition of the stickers usually starts to deteriorate. But how can you tell if a sticker already went old? The edge detaches from the car, breaks, or can fly off the model car even at the slightest touch. Of course, we don't have to worry that our brand new model car will be doing the same in a few weeks or months. It often takes decades for this to happen. But why is it that there can be huge differences between the Minichamps cars produced in the 90s? How is it that one has decals already quite worn, while another looks like new?
The answer to this is that it does matter how we store these models. You can also do your part to keep your model cars in good condition for as long as possible. In the following, we would like to give you some good advice, which if followed will significantly increase the life of the decals:
- Do not expose the cars to direct sunlight. Just as we get sunburned without adequate protection, model cars can also be adversely affected by solar radiation. It primarily fades stickers and paintwork. In any case, we store our cars in a place where it is not exposed to direct sunlight for a long time.
- Smoking is not only harmful to health, but also to model cars. If they are exposed to cigarette smoke for a long time, stickers can turn yellow. Cars with tobacco advertisements are no exception to this.
- Do not touch a model car with dirty hands.
- Dust it off! If you don't keep the model car in its own dust-proof box, but in a showcase or on a shelf, it can get covered in dust over time.
If you follow these tips, it will not only pay off aesthetically, but also in terms of value. A model car that has been preserved in good condition is worth much more than one that has been drained by the sun and has several stickers damaged. There is no doubt that one would rather buy a model car in good condition than one that is yellowed by cigarette smoke, right?
If you like a car, but it doesn't have a sticker on it, don't hesitate. Ask for the decal service and the fully decaled model car will be sent within 48 hours of ordering. The only task left for you is to find a place for it where you can admire it at any time.
