Need help gutting a shark (Carcharodon decals)

[Machinepriest]

Good day fraters and, uhm... Fristers.
Some of you might remember my Carcharodon project log I had going some years ago. I got bored with the project and put it on ice, but I'm now playing with the idea of reviving the army with some new ideas and techniques. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I'm working on a test marine at the moment.
I've ran into some trouble though, and that's why I'm posting here.

The damn shark decals... I keep getting creases.
I remember running into the same problem back in 2011, but I believe I resolved the problem by making small cuts in strategic places on the shark so that it conformed better to the shoulder pads. Problem is, I can't remember where.
Now I'm using the decal solutions from Microscale, and I'm applying the decals over a gloss coat so the problem does not lie there.

I got the shark to conform to the shoulder pad in the end, but only after damaging it quite a bit. The distressed look suits my Astartes as I weather them quite heavily, but knowing exactly where to make the cuts would save ma a lot of time and hassle.

Thanks for your time

Also, wooh! 242 posts!

[Kaedes Nex]

Assuming you are cutting the decal outline to trace the shark perfectly and as closely as possible, and assuming you are applying the decal perfectly level, so the shark is looking straight to the side (or with a slight upward tilt as shown in IA10), the problematic areas are always the top left diagonal and a little bit the top right.

 

The top dorsal fin will also have a tendency to refuse to adhere to the shoulder if you center the decal on the pauldron perfectly, because the top of the pauldron is an extreme slope towards the marine's helmet, meaning the fin is just sticking straight up and not curving in with the pauldron. Rotating the decal slightly will help the fin stay down more easily but it may mess with your decal orientation if you want the shark's facing to be just perfect.

 

Multiple, MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE applications if Micro Sol will help eliminate creases and promote adhesion as well. The key to not damaging the decals is to be patient. Even if you see it popping up or wrinkling, resist the temptation to apply more solution until it has dried which may take quite a while, because after 30 seconds or so the decal will be too soft and melted to take much handling.

[greendestiny]

I use these.  I have one made up for either side.

 

[Machinepriest]

Thanks for the input people.

I just remembered that I used to cut out the area between the tail and the dorsal area of the shark which I missed this time around.

It should help greatly the next time.