Hey all. I’ve been having troubles with decals, nothing major though. When I put decals on the backside of windscreens, like on a Tamiya Kawasaki ZX-12R, Tamiya F40, and Tamiya Supra. When I put them on I press out all the bubbles. Everything is smooth, you can see that on the otherside of the window. But… as it dries little bubbles start to form. I try to press them out, put it won’t work. Should I have used a solvent or a setting solution?
Short answer is Yes. You can probably eliminate the bubbles by using a sharp new needle & very carefully pierce the bubbles, then apply a setting solution like MicroSol. Wait awhile and the bubbles should disappear.
Wipe the area with micoset, place the decal on it and then apply the microsol. You shouldn’t ever get the problem then.
Thanks peoples! I’m planning on picking up the Micro Sol and MicroSet next week. I wish I a good digicam to take some pics of the problem. You all know how decals slightly shrink when they dry, it looks like (in remote area under the decal) it pulled away from the plastic. Leaving a bubble with really strange edges, almost jagged. Hopefully the Micro stuff will work.
The bubbles are caused by air trapped under the decal and being compressed as the decal dries and the glue pulls it down tight. Even though you pressed the decals down, you can’t eliminate all of the air.Using the Micro Sol / Set system will minimize this problem on future builds.
Thanks Rick and Nicholma. I gotta get the Micro Sol and Set before I build the F40. Will It work to ge the bubbles out of dried decals. Like soften them again?
Yes Enzo-Man it will soften the decal if you apply it again but its best to do as Rick suggested , prick the bubble with a very fine and sharp needle then apply the microsol. It should then settle down and you won’t know you had a problem. I’ve lifted decals that have been on models for several years and then refixed them with the micro products -they’re a very necessary part of the tool box.
Cool deal. Definently can’t wait to get some of those goods now. Sounds like they’ll elp out tremendously. Thanks again!