Best way to apply decals

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Decaling
1

Hey guys, I was just wonderin whats the best way to apply those decals? I always run into silvering and it bugs the crap outta me. Ive never used any type of solution either, just never occured to me. I have heard of trimming decals to help minimize silvering, but what about when you have round decals, like on a spitfire or something.
Thanks in advance

2

I don’t know if it’s the best or not … but this is the method that I use.

  • Trim decals as close as possible.
  • Apply future to the model, allow to fully dry.
  • Apply a decal set solution to the decal location and apply the decal.
  • Apply a decal sol solution over the decal and allow to dry overnight.
  • Spray model with 1 -3 light coats of gloss or matt finish.
3

there is a laquer available in can???

thanks,
manny

4

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5

Well, for what it’s worth, I’m having great luck with Micro Set and Micro Sol and the Fox One decals I bought for the F-4J I’m working on. The Micro Sol, espeially really sucks the decals down over the raised details on the model.

Regards,

-Drew

6

So, correct me if I’m wrong on this one…

You apply stuff on a painted model in this order:

  1. Gloss Coat
  2. Future
  3. Decal Solution (where decals go)
  4. Decals
  5. Gloss Coat/Dull Coat
7

I think you can skip #1. Future gives you the glossy surface you need for decaling.

8

What I’m doing looks more like this:

  1. Paint
  2. Future
  3. Micro Set
  4. Decal
  5. Micro Sol (while decal is still wet – about 10 min. after putting decal down).
  6. More Micro Sol for decals over raised detail. Repeat as needed until the decal is really snuggled down. Poke pin holes over air bubbles and apply Micro Sol on them too.
  7. Future with Tamyia flat base for a flat over coat.

Of course, leave plenty of time for drying between most of the steps. Steps 3-5 can be done in about 10 minutes per decal, but the rest of the steps require some drying time.

I’m doing this for the first time on a model and I’m very happy with how it’s turning out so far. Thanks to everyone who has posted tips over the past few months. They’ve been a big help.

Regards,

9

Lufbery, do you get a really flat finish with the Future/Tamiya Flat Base combo?
One of the toughest things I’ve found is trying to get a gloss finish flat again.

That’s why I don’t usually apply a gloss finish at all (for flat subjects, like military or SF). I’ve been lucky, and just with decal solvent have always avoided silvering.
These days I don’t use decals at all if I can avoid them. I’ve been using stencils, or more recently, dry transfers.
Since I started using the dry transfers, I don’t really want to go back to waterslide decals!

Sorry…really not the point of this topic!

10

Um… I don’t know. I haven’t gotten to that part of the build yet. [D)] I’ll let you know how it turns out for me.

I am happy with the Future gloss coat I put down on the plane. It’s working really well and looks good. I brush painted it on and it needed two coats. I plan to spray the flat coat, but leave the bottom gloss white.

We’ll see how it goes.

Getting back on topic, the Future coat made a great base for the decals – even over raised panel lines.

Regards,

11

Some decals don’t respond well enough to the Micro Set and Sol… an Academy P-38 is a good example. I ran a drop of thin cement down the groove of a flap opening, and it grabbed the decal down like no tomorrow. You just have to be very careful not to use too much glue. Micro Set and Sol seem to work great with Tamiya decals.

12

I do not have access to Microsol or Microset.

The only thing the hobby shop had was Modelmaster Decal Set.
I am not familiar with its use.
Aircraft resource center has helped and they have a link that involves using Future.
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/tnt1/001-100/TnT080_Silvering-decals_Kwan/tnt080.htm

From all the post around the forum, I have seen that microsol/set is the favorite.

I’m probably going to try the Future thing tonight and see how it works.

In any case, I need alternatives to the micro’ combination.

Thanks

13

You can order Micro Set and Micro Sol from www.Squadron.com and/or www.Rollmodels.com

Good luck!

14

[#dots]

No offense, but I don’t WANT to buy Micro’blah’ .

15

??? What’s up with this?
…and what does this have to do with decals?

You could be at least begging for some Micro-Sol [;)] …but, for what it’s worth, good luck.

16

Okay. I was just pointing out where access to Micro’blah’ could be had. [:)]

Anyway, how did using Future as a setting solution work out for you? If you’ve had a chance to try it, that is.

Regards,