Alcubierre Build Thread

[neil_w]

Final decal sheet.



This took a crazy amount of time to do. I went through three full iterations of printing out on copy paper, cut out the "decals", decals, testing fit, and adjusting the image. The shroud decals alone took... well, way too long. But now I know how to use the polar coordinates filter in GIMP, for what that's worth.

Whether they're truly correct, though, won't be known for sure until I try applying the decals for realsies.

These will of course be printed on white-backed decal paper, and then I will have a fun time cutting them out (particularly the cockpit and the shroud decals); at least there aren't that many of them.

 

[BABAR]

Name banner on ring, and a more subdued implementation of GlenP's idea:
View attachment 370583

Think I'm almost there. Still no painting weather in sight.

I like this design better than posts 236 and 232. The accents actually ACCENT rather than overwhelm.

 

[neil_w]

I like this design better than posts 236 and 232. The accents actually ACCENT rather than overwhelm.

#236 was a joke, but yes I agree.

 

[BABAR]

#236 was a joke, but yes I agree.

Whew. I thought you were losing it

 

[neil_w]

Whew. I thought you were losing it

I might still be...

 

[neil_w]

This is what passes for progress these days. I printed out the decal sheet:


Never mind the yellowish cast in the picture; in real life it looks good. God knows when I'll get a chance to clear-coat this. At least now I'm ready to go at a moment's notice.

At the bottom you'll see a really weird thing that happened: first time I printed, it just gave up part way through, ejected the paper, and then reprinted the entire page on the next sheet in the tray (plain paper). I've never seen that happen before in all my years of inkjet printing.

Fortunately there was still room for a complete print, so I flipped the paper around and tried again. The second time worked correctly.

???

 

[Nytrunner]

Oh yeah, it happens sometimes when the printer jams, but catches itself.

Kind of like a techno "My bad, let me try that again".

And that's why you never only put in the sheets you need

 

[Rockyt]

RE Post 240:
you know, if you adjusted the 'flying deltas' so the last one is at the same angle to align with they grey on the side 'engine pod' (under name placard), that would create some very smooth lines. the deltas look very cool and this would be even cooler.

 

[neil_w]

First, the good news: Today we were blessed with the first good painting weather in months.
Next, the bad news: Of course, the painting window took place while I was at work.
The consolation prize: Having been prepared for this occurrence, I at least was able to clear-coat my decal sheet (did it at lunch time). So I should soon be able to pre-apply a few decals (e.g., cockpit.)

RE Post 240:
you know, if you adjusted the 'flying deltas' so the last one is at the same angle to align with they grey on the side 'engine pod' (under name placard), that would create some very smooth lines. the deltas look very cool and this would be even cooler.

I think I must offer my standard response here and ask for a picture if you're so inclined. I have a hard time translating word descriptions such as this into a visualization.

 

[Rockyt]

Pathetically rudimentary attempt in paint, BUT...

Basically the yellow line is the one I am referencing for Paint ( yours not the software I used ). It would require a bit of manipulation of the 'flying deltas' or 'soundwave' or whatever was deemed appropriate.

 

[neil_w]

Harrumph. Went to apply the cockpit decal today, and the ink started to run, despite the fact that I did a test decal first to ensure that the clear coat was sufficient. Cockpit #1 ended up in the garbage, glad I always have extras on my sheets.

So, I can certainly put another layer of clear on it, if and when I get some good weather. But I'm wondering if part of the problem is that I trimmed the decal in the middle of a black printed area (necessary with white-backed decals). Is it possible that water is getting in at the edges, where the cut is? Should I apply a clear coat *after* cutting out the decals, to ensure the edges are sealed? This seems sensible but I've never heard anyone recommend it before.

I think in the future I'm gonna get laser decal paper and just print it at work.

 

[kuririn]

Harrumph. Went to apply the cockpit decal today, and the ink started to run, despite the fact that I did a test decal first to ensure that the clear coat was sufficient. Cockpit #1 ended up in the garbage, glad I always have extras on my sheets.

So, I can certainly put another layer of clear on it, if and when I get some good weather. But I'm wondering if part of the problem is that I trimmed the decal in the middle of a black printed area (necessary with white-backed decals). Is it possible that water is getting in at the edges, where the cut is? Should I apply a clear coat *after* cutting out the decals, to ensure the edges are sealed? This seems sensible but I've never heard anyone recommend it before.

I think in the future I'm gonna get laser decal paper and just print it at work.

Your deduction sounds right. When you cut around a printed decal you are leaving a strip of clear bonded to decal paper. When you cut through a printed decal there is no such strip, and water can permeate through. I wish I could afford a color laser printer.

 

[BABAR]

Your deduction sounds right. When you cut around a printed decal you are leaving a strip of clear bonded to decal paper. When you cut through a printed decal there is no such strip, and water can permeate through. I wish I could afford a color laser printer.

I did a printed wrap a few years back. Brought it to Office Max with the paper I wanted it printed on. They used their fancy printer to put my images on my paper. Price was reasonable.

 

[kuririn]

I did a printed wrap a few years back. Brought it to Office Max with the paper I wanted it printed on. They used their fancy printer to put my images on my paper. Price was reasonable.

Thanks Babar. The last time I compared color laser printer prices they started at around $3-400. Saw one on Amazon yesterday that was selling for $179, probably discontinued. With the amount of decal printing that I do, I might just have to pick me up one of those. And some non OEM toner cartridges. I can justify it by the savings on clear coat spray cans. Cheers.

 

[Tobor]

Thanks Babar. The last time I compared color laser printer prices they started at around $3-400. Saw one on Amazon yesterday that was selling for $179, probably discontinued. With the amount of decal printing that I do, I might just have to pick me up one of those. And some non OEM toner cartridges. I can justify it by the savings on clear coat spray cans. Cheers.

Back in 2005, I purchased a manufacture refurbished Konica/Minolta 2400W color laser jet printer from Fry's. I used it for printing cover inserts of DVD rips, graphic art stuff, etc. It finally gave up the ghost last year. I never had to replace any of it's toner cartridges.

 

[neil_w]

I hope no one reading this thread thought this rocket was going to come out, you know, "good" or anything.

I cut out, edged with black Sharpie, and then taped down all the decals. I had a decent weather opportunity and applied another layer of clear, trying to hit them from all angles to seal up the edges.

It was a trifle windier than I thought, and it was a bit tough to control what I was doing. But whatever.

Tonight I applied some, with mixed results. First of all, I could indeed get the decals off the backing. There was a little grab at the edges but not too much, just needed a little tug to get them started.

The cockpit came first. It proved to be a very difficult decal to place, and all the touching and fiddling and the next thing the black is running again. But not, I think, from the edges. Somehow I think I just don't have enough clear on them, at least not enough to withstand excessive handling. Here's how it came out:


If you click to enlarge, you'll see *lots* of areas where the black ran off. My plan is to touch them up with black paint, with one of my extremely fine brushes. We'll see how that goes.

Next up came the decals for the interior of the rings, which I figured would really be best done before assembly. I thought these would be easier and require less handling. Yes and no. I found them not wanting to lay down flat, and kept gently rolling a Q-tip over them to try to get rid of the bubbles. Eventually I decided to just try my trusty MIcro-sol, even though I had limited luck with it on the IRIS-T decals. Well, sure enough, the Micro-sol went to work, and the next thing I knew the ends of the decals were getting incredibly wrinkly. Here's where I made my mistake: I tried to get rid of the wrinkles, unsuccessfully, and also messed up the decals a little, removing some black that I'll need to touch up. The real reason it was a mistake is that I should have just left it, because the Micro-sol performed magnificently and eventually left the decals absolutely melted into the surface, all wrinkles gone.


The callouts show areas where I'll need to touch up the black. But the effectiveness of the Micro-sol gives me further evidence that there's not enough clear coat on there.

So, progress?

 

[kuririn]

I've used a fine or ultra fine point Sharpie to touch up missing black areas. Might be easier to control than a brush. Whatever works for you.
There is a fine line between not enough clear coat and too much. After experiencing ink bleeding I went to the other extreme, and the clear coat would audibly "crack" when I applied the decals.
IIRC Chris Michealssen does three coats of clear, rotating the paper 90 deg. after each coat to ensure even coverage.
Actually I think your decals came out pretty decent. Just needs a little touch up and they'll look fine.

 

[neil_w]

I've used a fine or ultra fine point Sharpie to touch up missing black areas. Might be easier to control than a brush. Whatever works for you.

I’ve had sharpie run when I apply Future, which makes me nervous to rely on it for this. No doubt it would be easier than paint.

 

[neil_w]

Decal touch-up is mostly successful I would say. Got a little sloppy in a few places but sloppy black on cranberry still looks better than the white. Had I half a brain in my head I would had put down some masking tape around the area I was touching up.

"Before" picture first, then "after" picture. Dunno why the forum software won't display pictures side-by-side...

 

[K'Tesh]

Looks Good!

Ya know, you can always edit your images to be side by side, then post them after that.

 

[neil_w]

Ya know, you can always edit your images to be side by side, then post them after that.

Ya maybe next time, if I'm not feeling too lazy.

 

[BABAR]

Decal touch-up is mostly successful I would say. Got a little sloppy in a few places but sloppy black on cranberry still looks better than the white. Had I half a brain in my head I would had put down some masking tape around the area I was touching up.

"Before" picture first, then "after" picture. Dunno why the forum software won't display pictures side-by-side...

View attachment 375386 View attachment 375390

View attachment 375385 View attachment 375389

View attachment 375387 View attachment 375388

would running a black marker along the edges before attaching help this problem?

 

[neil_w]

I actually ran a black marker around the edges before the last coat of clear. Unsure if it helped. And again, my experience has been that Sharpie runs when Future is applied over it. Have others experienced this?

Overall I've learned a bit about how to minimize the loss of ink while applying: MINIMIZE HANDLING. The worst bits of ink loss were in the places where I kept fiddling. In areas where I was mostly hands off it did much better.

 

[snrkl]

I actually love that I’ve been working and not rocketing for the last three months, and I’m still up to date on this build.

@neil_w thank you for being so thoughtful... [emoji12][emoji1303]

 

[neil_w]

We am to please!

Seriously this has been a worse-than-usual winter for painting. In March things should start to improve.

 

[mbeels]

Seriously this has been a worse-than-usual winter for painting. In March things should start to improve.

Agreed! I was outside last night with a rattle can at 1 am because it wasn't precipitating. But it was freezing, so I was running up and down to my basement with a space heater. NOT ideal.

 

[Infamous]

cool

 

[afadeev]

Seriously this has been a worse-than-usual winter for painting. In March things should start to improve.

Looking at the forecast, it will be either below freezing, or snowing, or above freezing and raining, through most of this month. Sucks for working on, or flying rockets.

March is the new December!

 

[Scotty Dog]

WOW dude ! Ive been away for awhile for personal things going on in my life. Anywhoo-thats not why Im posting. I just want to tell you I think we need a new case of baseballs. Why..cuz you just keep on knocking them WAY out of the park. I checked out your builds. FRICKEN AWESOME STUFF !!!!! From the design to the build to the finish . All top notch. Gives me inspiration to start a new scratcher. I haven't built or launched a rocket since losing my rocket buddy "Kodiac". Almost 2 yrs now. Keep on Keeping on brother.

 

[neil_w]

Thank you kindly Mr. Dog. Nice to see you back here, was missing your postings. Hope you can get back to doing some of your own awesome scratchers!