1:24 Ferrari 458 - Luxury Racing LM 2012 Decals Set

Studio27 1:24 Ferrari 458, Luxury Racing, Le Mans 2012 (decal sheet)

Let us say it at once and plainly: this is not a kit and there are no parts in it. It is a sheet of water-slide decals in 1:24 scale from the Japanese brand Studio27. You must own a model of the Ferrari 458 in 1:24, the sheet only gives it a racing coat. Studio27 sheets for the Ferrari 458 are drawn to the common kits of this car in 1:24 (typically Fujimi); because the individual releases differ, however, check what the sheet is intended for against your own kit, as a decal drawn for a different body may not fit its shapes.

What a standalone sheet is good for

A kit offers one or two liveries and that is where it ends. An endurance Ferrari, though, ran a number of events during the year and looked different every time: a different team, a different race number, different sponsors. If you want exactly the car from that one famous race, it is not in the box. A decal sheet closes this gap, and in this discipline Studio27 is among the best: thin film, sharp printing, deep color.

Le Mans, Luxury Racing and the 458

The twenty-four hours of Le Mans is the most famous endurance race in the world, a day and a night on the edge where reliability counts as much as speed. Luxury Racing was a French team which in this era entered the Ferrari 458 in the GT category. The Ferrari 458 itself is one of the last cars of its class with a naturally aspirated V8 in the middle: an engine without a turbo, with high revs and a sound that became legendary.

Decals done right: what to do and what to avoid

• Never apply them over matte clear coat. Air stays under the film and the decal starts to silver: a silver rim appears around every piece of artwork. The body must be glossy, flattening can be done at the very end.
• Large markings on the sides will not lay down on the curved body of the Ferrari without help. Decal softener makes the film supple, it draws into the shape and makes no folds. On endurance cars with areas of sponsor markings it is practically mandatory equipment.
• Once it has dried comes clear coat: the decal sinks into the surface, the edge of the film can no longer be felt under a finger and after polishing the body looks like a single coat of paint.
• Red is merciless, every little bubble shows on a red body. Lay one decal at a time and draw the water off.

Who the sheet is for

For collectors of racing cars who want one particular machine from one particular running of Le Mans. It is assumed that you already have the model of the car and that you can handle painting and decal work.

A decal sheet is not a kit. The model, paints, clear coats and decal softener are not included in the package.