When you all put decals on, what do you soak them in to get them off the backing. I have heard water, water and soap, water, soap, and alcohol. I am nearing this part of my model and need some help with it. Thanks alot
The best is luke warm tap water. 60 seconds is about the average to get the decal to slide off the backing. To help the decal conform to every crease and panel line, use a decal solven like Solvaset or the Microscale system. They will have the ‘painted on’ look.
Like ipms33206 said, all you need to get the decal off the backing is good old fashioned warm water. After that you can use microsol/set, but that’s a whole other discussion on technique…
DON’T use Microsol on Future coated models, it causes the Future to fog something terrible.
Yes, that is the voice of experience. I’m really hoping that another coating of Future will fix that up!
I’ve used micro-sol on all my future coated models. It’s sometimes fogs the future a bit, but it goes away on its own. Another coat of future should clear it up. I try to keep the micro-sol only on the decal.
The vinman is right. I use that combo and get the fog all the time and it goes away when dry.
I don’t like to soak my decal too long to reduce losing the adhesive. I soak for about 10 seconds, just until the paper turns color like it is soaked through, and then place it on a paper towel to drain. In about 30 seconds you’re good to go. Less water means more glue dissolved and lost and better adhesion.
To qoute Hank Hill (from King of the Hill) “yuup!”
Sorry had to do that. [:o)]
Oh, thank goodness! I thought I had fubared the model…
I will admit that in the light of a new day the fogging is much reduced, though not entirely. I’ll carry on decaling and will wait a couple of days before hitting it with another coat of Future.
What are your recommendations for the dull coating? I use Tamiya acrylics and was thinking about Tamiya Flat Base and Future, or should I stick with Tamiya’s Gloss with Flat Base?
I agree about the short soak time. I really don’t soak. I dip the decal in the warm water once or twice, lay it on a paper towel until they slide off easily, usually 30 seconds or so. This avoids the problem of the decal floating off in the water when your looking the other way. I put it down approximately in the right position. If it’s not exactly where I want it I will take a clean brush and lay some water on it so that it floats a bit. You can than move it around until you get it positioned. A small piece of paper towel soaks up the excess water. Then comes the Solvaset, which as stated above, is another topic you can find a lot on in the forum page for decaling.