"15mm WW2 Allied Star Stencils" Topic

Several years ago a company (I cannot remember who) brought out a couple of etched brass stencils for painting stars on 20mm allied vehicles.

Does anyone out there know of a similar stencil for 15mm? Failing that, does anyone know if you can still get the 20mm stencils, as some of the smaller stars would do for 15mm.

Cheers

Steve

Would these help?: link

Plenty of decals of various scales available through companies that support plastic model companies.

Thanks, I have any number of decals but the reason I want stencils rather than decals is because of the difficulty of getting decals to lay flat over the 'bumpy' bits on top of turrets.

And to pre-empt a few responses, yes I've tried Micro-Sol and similar products without being able to get the decal to satisfactorily adhere over any lumps.

How are you going to stop the paint from seeping under the brass stencil ?

By stippling it across the stencil. Basically you're drybrushing the paint on instead of putting it on heavily.

I do recommend using a light gray (like Vallejo sky gray) before you use an actual white. It covers better and looks better, IMO.

NOT meaning to hijack the thread or dispute that stencils arent great, they can give a very realistic appearance but wouldnt give up on decals. It may be the way you are using the solutions.

First do you gloss coat at least the area to be applied if not the whole vehicle first? The gloss coat provides a smooth surface and prevents "silvering" of decals which are actually micro spaces or pockets beneath the decal.

Next prepare the surface. I brush on Micro Set first and leave a small pool of it to place the decal on.

Third let it set for about 10 minutes and then put the Micro Sol on. The decal may shrivel just a bit but will relax. Check back in about 10 minutes or so, the decal may need another application of Micro Sol. Really irregular surfaces may need even a third application.

Once dry I use a cotton swab to wash the solutions off and then seal with gloss coat again to protect for weathering.

I can say using this system I have had little to no problems with my 15mm vehicles with decals looking painted on and conforming to some of the most irregular shapes like hinges, bolts or miscellaneous bumps on rear decks or turrets.

What Lion said. Good idea about putting a layer of grey on first though. Thanks

Marc33594:

Gloss varnish – check
Micro Set – check
Micro Sol – check
2nd Gloss coat – check
Lots of swearing – check

Given the lack of references to the stencils, I guess decals are the only option and I shall just have to persevere with them.

Cheers!

Wish I could have been of more help on the stencils. I do have a very nice set but they are for 1/35 scale so even the smallest is of no use to you. If you do find the stencils let the rest of us know.

Marc