Bill.. I use scissors. On stripes is easy. just use a long bladed scissors, line it up and snip, slow but sure from one end to the other. On smaller decals with round edges, I use a small scissor and I just try to get as close to the art as I can. It's important the scissors are sharp, Dull scissors still cut, but you get sloppy edges... ya know?
After you lay the decal on, side it into place, let it sit for 20-30 seconds, hold down one end with your finger and slide a damp Q-tip over the decal. It flattens it right out and the Q-tip soaks up the excess water. If the decal dries in the wrong place, throw a big drop water on it, stir it around the edges of the decal. It will usually be movable again in a minute or two. In some instances you may need to help it out by using a toothpick to CAREFULLY lift the edge of the decal... to help get the water underneath it.
As for the paint.. I like to do one "more than a mist but not quite wet" coat, wait an hour, then do a wet coat. Some cars I'll even put a third coat on. The Cheetah car had four coats, two gold, two candy. I waited two days between the gold and the candy coats and two days between each of the candy coats. I wanted to make sure the paint dried up nice and tight before adding another coat.
I also like to let my cars dry in the sun. I put the bodies on a white paper plate or foil for good reflection and sit them by a window where the sun shines bright and warm. I think this makes a big difference in the way the paint dries.
I can't think of anythng else, I hope this helps
