That is an option but I think you would still have some issues at the rivet. Using a decal softening solution would have helped conform the decal to rivet.
Another solution would be to cut the decal around the rivet and paint rivet portion white to match.
sounds like most of us!
@Tank_1812 I always use Vallejo Decal Softener but in this specific situation, because the rivet lay almost exactly in the middle of a narrow decal, it caused the decal to curve into an arc as is melted down over the rivet. It was only after this happened that I realized, in this specific situation, decal softener was not enough. Cutting the decal in half would have allowed it to conform to either side of the rivet, then, as you wrote, painting the rivet would complete the job.
A contributing factor is that Vallejo Decal Softener is very weak. I did some research and there is a good reason for this. The chemical normally used for decal softeners also attacks acrylic paints. Vallejo Decal Softener does work, but more slowly than other softeners, so as not to attack the underlying paint. As such, it sometimes needs some help, such as in this case.
@BattleScaleCollectic Ha Ha! Yeah. Dunno. Maybe I should just post pictures, make glib comments, and keep the real analysis to myself.
JagdPanther & Odette are looking good!
A+++
I am really on the fence with regards the camouflage on Jagdpanther 113. On the one hand, it is a fairly good match to the Marder III used as a color reference. On the other hand, it looks ugly as all get out. 
Odie was coming along really good until I borked the stupid decal. Now I need to cheat and cover the mistake with mud or a bullet hit or something.
Finished: LASER Networked Slaving Hierarchical Autonomous Reconnaissance Killbot–LASER SHARK
LASER SHARK is my second entry in the Sci-Fi and Alternate History Campaign X. You can see more pictures of the finished model in that discussion.
…
My 8.5 month losing streak is finally broken. 
LASER SHARK is my second completed plastic scratch building project (of perhaps 10 started). While the model has some serious problems and did not turn out as hoped, I did learn a lot building and painting it.
Some lessons learned:
On to the next project…
Nice, scary and looks like a professionally build sci-fi project! A+++
Pretty sure that things about to go into serial production in the spring of 2025
Interesting I didn’t know Vallejo did decal softners. I’m going to have to check their site for more than paints
Dragon Firefly IC
New tracks for this project arrived on Christmas morning. Though sold under the Gecko brand, they look a whole lot like MiniArt tracks.
Many hours of work later…the Gecko tracks are on the Dragon Firefly.
About a quarter of all end connectors came with broken pins. A few more broke during construction. I had to steal end connectors from a second set of Gecko tracks to complete one set.
These tracks are very weak so I flooded them with glue, hoping to turn each run into a solid block with pad edges glued together. There is zero chance the weak track pins will hold on their own.
While installing the tracks, another Dragon drive sprocket fell apart. Just like the tracks, they are very weak.
I have now purchased three sets of after market tracks for this model and remain unsure of success. In my opinion, they are all of low quality.
Stick with it Doug! It’s a great Firefly model and it deserves to be finished!
Finished: Tamiya Sd.Kfz. 232 Armored Radio Car
This is my entry for the 1942: Turning of the Tide campaign. You can see more pictures of the finished model in that discussion.
In my opinion, this is one of my better paint jobs since returning to the model building hobby. There is real hope here.
On to the next project…
Doug, very sweet finish on the Sdkfz 232, I really like the way you got the wash in the wheel hub recesses. Excellent looking paint and finish!
When one considers the Tamiya kit is from ~1975, you done fantastic work making that model “pop” and look good!
Finished (More): Takom Jagdpanzer 38 Late
This was my entry for Hot Out of the Molds 2024.
In order to meet the campaign deadline, this model received about one fourth of the normal effects painting. After sliding into home base, I pulled the model back into the shop and applied some critical updates–a new antenna with base, a final clear coat, and touch ups to the most egregious painting errors.
Lessons Learned:
On to the next project…
Doug you’ve learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what advice you get, no matter how many videos you watch, the only way to get better is to build and paint more.
This one is a beauty. Your models are getting demonstratively better.
Be very careful with the AK masking putty. It is not the perfect product they make it out to be. IT CREEPS, even on horizontal surfaces it will spread if left on too long and it creeps down vertical surfaces. Put it on, and you’ve got about a half hour to paint and get it off before it starts to move on you. Also, if left on overnight, it will consume PE parts. All the brands black “Panzer Putty” is the same stuff, so that doesn’t matter. Be careful to avoid another disaster.
Doug, that’s an excellent looking Hetzer! Very well crafted! A++
@SSGToms Thanks.
Oh goodness gracious. No, no, no. Your description of the black putty sounds horrible. It usually takes me multiple sessions over days to mask, then more days to paint. Sometimes months.
Okay. I…am going to skip that. I will try a combination of Blu-Tac and Tamiya Tape next and see how that goes.
@Armor_Buff Thanks. You are being very kind. Like, very kind.
Finished: Takom T30 Heavy Tank
This was my entry for Best Tank That Never Was - Part 3.
This is my first post World War II model in 1/35 scale as an adult. So begins another wing of the model museum.
Lessons Learned:
On to the next project…
That is a beautiful thing. I’m not being obsequious but I reckon that’s as good a Hetzer camo as I’ve seen. Really nicely done. The cold weathering too looks the business mate, hell of a job.
Damn, that’s lovely as well. How did you do the mottling effect? Is it drybrushed as well? What with? It looks nice from a distance but when you bring up the picture and look closer it is really, really crisp. I Love that finish. Would really appreciate you sharing a little about the workflow here.
Both models look excellent Doug, especially the camo job in the Hetzer.
