Decal Set...Enamel or Acrylic

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Decaling
1

Hi,

I brushed my tank with Future floor polish last night…tonight I wanted to put on the decals…I only have Enamel decal set and my model is painted with Acrylics and the Future is Acrylic too…is this a problem??? Also when do I put on the decal set…when the decal is still wet or after it dries???

Thanks

2

What is the brand of the decal set? How do you know it’s “enamel”?

3

Hi,

It’s Testors. It says “Testors Enamel Decal Set” on the bottle.

4

Never heard of this product, don’t think it’s sold in this area. I only use MicroSet & MicroSol, which can be used over enamels & acrylics, including Future.

5

Thanks…

I do have Micro Flat would that be good after (Decals) they dry…?

6

Never tried Micro Flat. I have great success with Polly Scale flat, which is an acrylic and works well over Future.

7

Testors Enamel Decal Set - Sounds like a brand name that doesn’t have anything to do with whether it is used on enamel or acrylic. Anyway, Future, if it was applied a day ago, is pretty tough.

Decal Set is applied where the decal is going to go to improve adherence; a decal solvent can be lightly brushed on the decal after it is in place to allow it to conform as closely as possible to the surface - it also increases the fragility of the decal.

8

Micro flat is just a coating that reduces the glossiness of the surface its applied to and protects it to some extent.

9

OK great! I’m going to look for some Polly Scale Decal set…I’m assuming I brush this on (with the decal still wet) the decal right after I put it on the moedel (after I lightly pad it to get the bubbles out and wick the water away)!?

Thanks

10

Also, since nobody else mentioned it, I would wait 48 hours for that Future to dry and not just 24 hours. You may be alright but I feel the extra day is a cheap guarantee against any adverse reaction to the uncured Future. [;)]

Mike

11

“Set” goes on the model before the decal. Think a place to set it. “Sol” goes on the decal after it is in place. Best summary I’ve seen recently (and within this forum), from rjkplasticmod, although it doesn’t mention using a q tip and water to wash off any residue after the decal dries:

I always put the Microset on the model, with a small amount of water mixed in with a brush, where the decal is going. After the decal is applied, wick the excess Microset & water away with a paper towel. At this point, I usually gently press down on the decal with a folded pad of paper towel to make sure the decal is seated and to help remove any air that may have been trapped under the decal. Work from the center to outer edge of the decal, but do it gently. I then apply more Microset to the top of the decal and then DON’T TOUCH IT . Wait 20-30 minutes and inspect the decal. If it has snuggled down OK, you don’t need the Microsol at all. If the decal needs more help to conform to contours or panel lines, then put a small amount of Micrsol on the decal, but again don’t touch it. Some wrinkling of the decal may now occur, but don’t panic, walk away and leave it alone for an hour or so. When the decal has dried, the wrinkling should disappear and the decal will be snuggled down. Never, Never try to press down the decal when it wrinkles after decal solutions are applied. Some solutions like Solvaset are even more aggressive than Microsol and may cause some decals to self destruct. Lots of modelers use it with success, but for modern decals, especially from aftermarket suppliers, I prefer to use the Microset & only use Microsol when needed to get the decal to conform. Hope this helps.

12

Excellent summary…that pretty much sums it all up right there…thanks everyone!

13

another way how to remember which goes first…SET or SOL???
is to do it ALPHABETICALLY…SET first before SOL!
a lot of people get things mixed up when it comes to apllying the two. I think the even the color of the bottle cap can also be applied to this rule. My 2-cents worth.