01-03-2017, 12:08 AM
It's been some time since I've painted CN diesels, Matt, so it's difficult to recall particular procedures.
I have left off details to simplify painting and/or decaling, but I always used SMP's Accupaint and Accucals, the colours of which matched extremely well. This allowed the use of paint in some difficult-to-decal areas, such as around number boards or headlights, and then only a portion of the decals might be required, such as for the edges of those yellow nose patches with the very thin black borders.
You can also trace the decal images, particularly for the nose patches, onto paper, then cut out the tracing and use it transfer the shape to masking tape.
Sometimes, the decals didn't always fit when there were lots of raised details, and the decal film might need to be slit after application. Even then, portions of the decal might need to be removed, but the matching paint could cover up those gaps.
I'd guess that the best choice would be to leave off whatever details you can, and perhaps paint them at the same time you do the body shell. That should give a uniform finish to everything, requiring perhaps only minor touch-up after the details are added.
Sorry I can't be of more assistance.
Wayne
I have left off details to simplify painting and/or decaling, but I always used SMP's Accupaint and Accucals, the colours of which matched extremely well. This allowed the use of paint in some difficult-to-decal areas, such as around number boards or headlights, and then only a portion of the decals might be required, such as for the edges of those yellow nose patches with the very thin black borders.
You can also trace the decal images, particularly for the nose patches, onto paper, then cut out the tracing and use it transfer the shape to masking tape.
Sometimes, the decals didn't always fit when there were lots of raised details, and the decal film might need to be slit after application. Even then, portions of the decal might need to be removed, but the matching paint could cover up those gaps.
I'd guess that the best choice would be to leave off whatever details you can, and perhaps paint them at the same time you do the body shell. That should give a uniform finish to everything, requiring perhaps only minor touch-up after the details are added.
Sorry I can't be of more assistance.
Wayne