Is it possible Micro Sol or Set go bad? I was using it and when applied to the model it pooled up and would not spread on the painted surface. I was putting it over Testors Gloss Coat Lacquer. Could that be the problem or does anyone think the setting solutions are bad?
Both Sol AND Set are goofing up at the same time? If purchased at the same time they might be too old. This seems very odd.
I have heard that very hard water can effect setting solutions, but you would have discovered that before now.
I’m sure you’ll get better help here.
Just sounds like surface tension to me. I’ve put micro-sol on a high gloss paint before and it does the same thing, but I don’t think it affects the product. I usually put the solvent on top of the decals after they’ve been applied and moved into final position, and it works great.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that the micro-sol I’m using I bought at least 4 years ago, maybe longer, and it still works like it is supposed to.
I too have had this happen. I simply use a bit extra until it spreads out a bit more. It still works.[swg]
I’ve got some Micro-Sol which is at least 20 years old, only recently opened, and another even older bottle which had been used in the early-mid 80’s. Both work fine.
I’ve been using both that are at least 10 years old and each works just as it should. However I can see how it might gather around the decal as you described if the surface is very glossy and smooth.
Are you applying the products over a gloss surface that has been applied over the decals? Is it possible that the products are not doing anythnig because they cannot get to the decals through the gloss coat?
Surface tension is exactly right. Not a lot of people understand surface tension. I put down Micro Sol and it just pools up. It does not matter how much I put down on the gloss and then it runs off if it is not perfectly flat. These bottles have not been in used for well over six years. It seems they do not good bad according to some of the other posts. I am not sure what to do next when it comes to finishing the model (F6F Hellcat) since it will have a gloss coat. I am wondering if it the gloss lacquer that is causing it. I wold understand if it was oil since the surface tension of oil is pretty high towards most other liquids.
Thanks for all your posts and the information provided. I now have an area to do some testing before getting to the final decal application stage.
Sorry nothing is on the decal before applying. The steps are just like the bottle instructions of both Micro Sol and Micro Setting. Original paint then gloss lacquer then micro sol then decal then micro sol and drying time. It does not pool when applying over the decal. However, it takes a lot to get the decal of its backing. More than it should but that is a different problem all together.
Try soaking your decal in heated water prior to removing them from the backing. Several modelers and myself included use this technique to soften up the decals before adding any decal setting solvent to them.
I did use warm water maybe not warm enough or by the time I actually put the decal in the water cooled off. I will have to use warmer water when applying the fuselage markings when time comes.
I actually start my decal water at about the same temp as a cuppa coffee… I swish 'em around a bit, then let 'em soak on the bench…
is it posable that someone mixed it with water? because thats what it sounds like.