I’m looking for advice on how to apply decals. I use Micro-Set and Micro-Sol. I’ve read here and been told by my LHS to wait 10 minutes or so and then apply the Micro-Sol. This causes the decals to severely wrinkle, often times ruining them.
My procedure is:
Brush some Micro-Set on the model
Wet the decal in a warm water/Elmer’s glue/dishsoap solution
Apply the decal.
Remove excess moisture with the tip of a paper towel.
Wait ten minutes +/-
Apply Micro-Set ------ this is where the trouble starts.
Should I wait until the decals dry and then apply the Micro-Sol?
I also have some Solvaset. But, I’m really afraid to try this stuff!
I’m currently working on a ProModeler P-38 – I assume it’s really a Hasegawa kit?
First, you don’t need to mix white glue in your water to release decals. The glue is on the back surface of the decal and activates when it releases from the backing paper. Adding glue to the water will most likely leave a film on your model that will be difficult to remove when dry. A tiny amount of dishsoap won’t hurt but isn’t really needed either. 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.
I don’t remember where I saw it exactly, but I seem to recall seeing a “system” advertised a while back that claimed to remove ALL of the backing material and left only the ink and the glue behind - basically leaving you with a perfect image, and no silvering.
If I am remembering correctly I think it was being pushed for model railroading and used something like 5-7 different bottles of solution.
Has anyone else heard of or tried this system before?
I’ll quit using the glue and soap. I had not heard of overcoating the decal with Micro-Set before. I guess I’ve been too impatient (distrustful) to leave the decals alone and wait for the wrinkles to go away.