Frisket and Aztec woes....

[Option61c]

Hi all,

I've recently started on the Round 2, 1/350 Big E and while I work I'm trying to decide whether or not to use the decals that shipped with it or try my hand at aztecing it from scratch. I want to practice on some sheet styrene but I seem to be stymied right from the start.

I'm using the files that I downloaded from this site and I am printing them on an HP inkjet printer. For some reason the ink never seems to dry completely. The only film I can find locally is the Grafix All Purpose film and I have tried both the glossy and the matte finishes. Everytime I print a sheet it smudges as soon as I look at it.

Does anyone have a suggestion or perhaps technique that I'm missing here?

Thanks.

[Kylwell]

Spray it with a sealer like Krylon Workable Fixative Spray. It may take a day or so to cure, depending on the ink.

Your other option is to take the files to a Kinko's and have then printed out on a laser printer.

Or, print them out on an ink jet transparency film and use a spray adhesive to tack them down.

[Option61c]

Intersting. I was under the impression that the fuser in a laserjet would cook the frisket. I guess thats not the case?

[Thomas E. Johnson]

Just trace the 2 patterns onto some thick paper, then cut out using an X-Acto knife. Use the pattern in the paper as a stencil and work from section to section. I've done it that way and with practice you can paint the whole saucer in 30 minutes.

[Pat Amaral]

Intersting. I was under the impression that the fuser in a laserjet would cook the frisket. I guess thats not the case?

You're right. It's not a good idea to use frisket film in a laser printer. In my experience the film can gum things up pretty badly. If you have to use frisket film, I recommend printing the patterns to paper first, and then overlay the printout on the film and cut the patterns out with a scalpel.