CPR "hockey mask" RDCs

[Dayliner]

Just wondering if any CPR modellers out there have tried repainting the Kato N scale RDC in the "hockey mask" colours. I'd like to give it a try, but it looks like it's going to be a precision job in N scale. I had thought of spray painting some clear trim film in Action Red, and cutting out the stripe pattern, or painting it over the white ends by progressively masking each section. Any thoughts?

[METRO]

I've thought about doing a hockey mask in HO scale using a modified Life Like RDC, but eventually sanity won out and I decided against it.

I thought up a decient system of how to do so though, maybe it could work in N Scale:

Do the entire front of the RDC as a custom decal from an ALPS printer. That would save a lot of very very tedius painting.

Take Care
~METRO

[Dayliner]

Thanks Metro,

I've thought about that too, but I keep wondering how to allow for the curve up onto the roof and around to the sides. Or are you suggesting just printing out the red? That would be easier as it would only curve in one direction.

[METRO]

I'd make the decals with tabs to fold over the curves, if done with care I don't think it'd be too much of a problem.

I'd take some figureing, but your could probably make the decal work by making it a shape other than a set square. If you've ever put together a paper model train, you'd know what I mean. In theory you could make a fold over tab that would follow the curve of the RDC.

The best way I can think of to make the shape of the decal would be to wet a Kleenex or peice of tissue paper to simulate the decal film. Then use it to wrap the front of the RDC like a decal would. Through trial and error, you could use the wet Kleenex to make a template for the shape of the decal.

Now I know that decals take to curves very well if designed to do so from the outset, at least in HO (I'd assume the same in N even though the curves are smaller) But the downside could be that you may get more bubbles in the decal. I'd just be careful to make sure it goes on straight and that you take care of any bubbles and it should look great.

Hope that helps
~METRO

[METRO]

I'd make the decals with tabs to fold over the curves, if done with care I don't think it'd be too much of a problem.

I'd take some figureing, but your could probably make the decal work by making it a shape other than a set square. If you've ever put together a paper model train, you'd know what I mean. In theory you could make a fold over tab that would follow the curve of the RDC.

The best way I can think of to make the shape of the decal would be to wet a Kleenex or peice of tissue paper to simulate the decal film. Then use it to wrap the front of the RDC like a decal would. Through trial and error, you could use the wet Kleenex to make a template for the shape of the decal.

Now I know that decals take to curves very well if designed to do so from the outset, at least in HO (I'd assume the same in N even though the curves are smaller) But the downside could be that you may get more bubbles in the decal. I'd just be careful to make sure it goes on straight and that you take care of any bubbles and it should look great.

Hope that helps
~METRO