Decals won't react to set and solution

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Decaling
1

Hey gang,

So what would you guys recommend if the decals won’t react to set and solution? The underlying paint is an acrylic gloss (cured for about 24 hours). I put the decal set where the decal is going to go, place the decal, clean up the excess and apply solution. 20 minutes later, the solution has evaporated and there’s noting but air under the decal (it’s going over raised detail).

I’ve poked holes in the decal for the solution to soak through (and let air escape), I’ve even tried using solution in place of the set - nothing, I’ve never seen decals this resistant to solution - not even Academy.

These are a home-brew set, I purchased off of ebay for the RoG 1/72 Bearcat (for my Blue Angels build).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-Fred

2

Sounds like the home-brew decals are resistant to setting solutions. Try contacting the seller & see what’ he suggests. Barring that, if you have Walthers Solvaset, it might work as it’s stronger than the MicroSol products. Barring that, undiluted white vinegar might work.

Regards, Rick

3

Thanks for the suggestions, Rick. I’ll try some regular strength white vinegar and see how that works. I ended up destroying the decals on the bottom of the wings, so now I have to print my own for those, anyway. Always something… -Fred

4

That’s a real bummer Fred!

I have had good luck using Gunze Mr. Softer on stubborn decals. Trick is to use a tiny brush, and put it on in small amounts. Don’t flood the decal with the stuff. Works very well IMHO. If that still doesn’t work, I have resorted in the past to tiny bits of liquid cement. Be VERY careful if you go that route!

5

Hey Frank,

I’ve tried that liquid cment trick once before. I have to say, it works, but it’s a very fine line between set decal and goopy mess. I consider myself lucky that I quit adding cement at the right time.

As for this current siuation, I layed down a heavy coat of Future and it seems to have pulled most of the air out from under the decals. But, the decals were printed on clear paper, so they’re not very opaque. Blue Angels yellow doesn’t really cover over BA blue, so well.

I ordered some decal paper from micro-mark, now I’m just waiting for my order of printer ink to arrive. I’m hoping to have the Bearcat finished by the weekend (if the ink shows up).

In the meantime, I’m working on the F9F-5 (F6F and F9F-2 are done).

-Fred