Hi all,

Just curious as to what process people follow when applying decals, in regards to setting solutions and such. If you were using Micro Sol and Micro Set, what order would you apply the solutions and decals?

Do you apply one, then the decal, and then the other? Or does each have seperate applications? Thanks for any info.

Hi there TempExp

Following other people's advice, I do this:

1. Apply MicroSet to wet the surface.
2. Position the decal, gently blot it and let it settle for a while.
3. Apply MicroSol and leave it well alone 'till it's dry and any wrinkles have disappeared.

I've numbered the bottles so I can't forget!

All the best

Rowan

I've never used big decals, but I've never used any additive/special formulated product. The things I do are to apply a clear coat as a base for the decal, then slide the decal on the model and I roll over it with a wet cotton bud to have a perfect adhesion. One trhroughly dry, I apply another coat of clear varnish. This works both with my home made decals and with yhe commercial ones and I never had decals silvering problems...
Ciao

Hi Scoccia

You must have magic in your fingers... sometimes I find decals that seem determined to give me silvering problems, no matter what I do! (It happened the other day, in fact, and I had to scrap them.)

It's often the "simplest" things that are hardest to get right...

All the best

Rowan

Mmm, i think I forgot a step... before sliding the decal I wet a bit (with plain water) the area where I'll put the decal. That's it I never had problems, may be I'm only lucky...
Ciao


P.S.: usually the decals I use are maximun 1.5/2 cm wide and 1/1.5 cm tall...

:-) Rowan has the the correct sequence :-) I use a piece of dense foam to squegee the water from under the larger decals and to "push" decals down over complicated surface detail. When applying large decals I use plenty of water under them, to float them into position :-)
In most cases aircraft modellers will have far more decals to apply, they can also have huge ones as well. I will spend several hours (depends on number of decals) decalling.
I believe the Micro Set helps the decal to adhare and the Micro Sol helps them to conform to the surface. Although the 'Set can be all that is needed.
Mal

I use microset and microsol in the same way Porky described. I like the product but now use a spare decal from the kit to test first as occasionally the sol can be too strong. If it is I use only the microset. As far as silvering goes I have never understood why decals applied to a kit in the exact same way can all be fine except one which will show silvering. I touch up the area with paint if possible but it is annoying when that happens.
Martin

Hi again!

I agree with Mal - sometimes you don't need MicroSol. My rule is: if the decal looks good without it - don't bother (you might risk messing it up!).

I've never understood the rogue decals either, and some manufacturers' decals always give me grief... I've got a set of Techmod swastikas - beautifully printed, but they silver every time

Then there are the decals which just won't conform over surface details and seem impervious to any solution - even neat Solvaset or Super Sol. I've tried the "puddle of Klear" method, does anybody have a tactic for them?

All the best

Rowan

Thanks for the replies. The procedure described is generally what I figured, but wasn't quite sure. I'll have to try that out when it comes time to slap some more decals on.