Decals

[MrPickles]

so iv put lots of microsol onto it like 6 times and a couple hits of microset. ( i dont really understand the difference actually).

it looks decent except it's still really glossy and not perfect. im not sure how many applications of microsol it would take to totally dissolve the film or whatever but after putting it onto the decal 6+ times i'm getting a little PO'd.

is there anyway to get rid of the gloss? any tips?

 

[PegaZus]

Matte spray over top?

If I'm not mistaken, the MicroSol just helps hide the edges of the decal and blends it into the surroundings. MicroSet softens up the decal enough that it'll conform to the surface shape.

Unless I've got those backwards.

 

[MrPickles]

i just bought a bottle of testors dullcote. i'm going to try brushing it on top of the decal and see if that works. my product collection just keeps growing and growing lol.

 

[Bloodhowl]

Before applying the decals, coat the area with a clear gloss and let dry. Trim decals to as close to color areas as possible to minimize clear film. Apply the decal, use decal set and decal sol to get into place and conform to surface irregularites. Once dry, cover with a clear gloss to seal the decal and help hide any clear film. Once dry, coat with dull cote/matte varnish to remove overall shine.

Nice link for detailed step by step: http://www.modelairplanebuilding.com...-markings.html

 

[Einion]

so iv put lots of microsol onto it like 6 times and a couple hits of microset. ( i dont really understand the difference actually).

The secret's kinda given away by the names - Micro Sol, Micro Set - but the front of the bottle spells it out (more detail on the Microscale website).

is there anyway to get rid of the gloss? any tips?

Decal ink by itself is a bit glossy, but if you're applying these onto a gloss coat then it shouldn't be especially obvious... you are applying them over a glossy finish, right?

i just bought a bottle of testors dullcote. i'm going to try brushing it on top of the decal...

I'd be very careful doing that!

Einion

 

[MrPickles]

The secret's kinda given away by the names - Micro Sol, Micro Set - but the front of the bottle spells it out (more detail on the Microscale website).

no kidding. so if i were to use water and then brush microsol on it my results would be different how exactly?

nothing to do with not understanding actually, i guess what i should have said is i'm not sold that microset does much of anything.

Decal ink by itself is a bit glossy, but if you're applying these onto a gloss coat then it shouldn't be especially obvious... you are applying them over a glossy finish, right?

not this time. next time i will apply it on top of gloss varnish and see if there's a difference.

I'd be very careful doing that!

Einion

i assume this means it's going to screw it up and make it look funny.

so if i put gloss ontop of the decal first then dullcote it will that work?

 

[RuneBrush]

Been looking at getting some MicroSol & Set recently, but can't justify the £10 for the two this month (that's together inc P&P). Do they make much difference when putting decals onto flat surfaces?

 

[MrPickles]

Been looking at getting some MicroSol & Set recently, but can't justify the £10 for the two this month (that's together inc P&P). Do they make much difference when putting decals onto flat surfaces?

it def. helps flatten it out. even on a flat surface i think it will improve the appearance slightly. from i what i read i thought microsol would totally dissolve the film around the decal. for me that hasnt been the case. maybe you need to put it on like 30+ times for that to happen.

 

[chrisbruk]

Not sure if you mentioned this above already, but are you applying the Micro-Sol to the model then "laying" the decal over the top?

Similar to what has been mentioned above my method is:
- Gloss Coat the model (Klear)
- Brush on some Micro-Sol to where I want the decal
- Apply the decal
- Apply a layer of Micro-Set
- Remove bubbles etc.
- Once fully dry then another Klear coat
- Then the usual weathering or matting down process (airbrush or the dotting oil paints method)

I do find however that Games Workshop decals are quite thick and a good result with them can be a bit hit or miss (especially if applying over a black background)

Hope that helps )
CB

 

[PegaZus]

Been looking at getting some MicroSol & Set recently, but can't justify the £10 for the two this month (that's together inc P&P). Do they make much difference when putting decals onto flat surfaces?

I wasn't totally sold on it either, harking back to all the model cars and trucks I did before my teen years. Always with the edges and other such, so eventually just dumped the thought of using decals altogether.

Then the wife bought me a Battlestar Galactica model, after I'd oo'd and ah'd over one on Starship Modelers website. So re-read the build reports there, and they all used it to apply the decals. Went and tried it myself, and I've been stunned at how well it looks. There's a largish decal right over a bunch of detailed lines, and it sunk right in and nearly looks as if it was painted on.

Well worth the money if you do a lot of decal work, IMO. Not sure it'd do a lot for the flat surfaces, but it may be possible to hide the edges better with it.

 

[Einion]

nothing to do with not understanding actually, i guess what i should have said is i'm not sold that microset does much of anything.

Using Micro Sol it may not really be necessary to use Micro Set because they double up a little bit on abilities. If you were enquiring prior to purchase I'd have suggested maybe trying just the Sol to begin with (especially if you were buying from a local source and not online) since this is the one that makes the starkest difference over any straight decal. But given all the experienced decal users who do use both I think there could be some genuine reasons to use them in concert, and you do have both already...

If you have any spare decals after this project it might be worth trying some experiments, see if you find that Micro Set makes any practical difference once all the over bases are covered - gloss undercoat, decal + Micro Sol, gloss overcoat, matt overcoat (+ weathering at whatever stage), versus the same with Micro Set before the decal goes down.

not this time. next time i will apply it on top of gloss varnish and see if there's a difference.

If you got any silvering then there'll be a big difference ^__^ but if you didn't get any silvering then it shouldn't make much odds.

Generally speaking it's considered a must to apply decals to gloss surfaces for good results as you probably know, but silvering is the main thing it avoids.

i assume this means it's going to screw it up and make it look funny.

I was referring to the "...brushing it on..." part, which would be risky to say the least - the Lacquer part of the name should be setting off warning bells.

Einion

 

[Wigdog]

First, microsol will not dissolve the film. I strongly recommend that anyone experiment with the solvents PRIOR to putting it on the model you just spent a month on!

I have had good results putting a layer of Micro Sol on top of the painted surface, then the decal, then a couple more layers of micro sol, letting each dry - this also seemed to flatten any small wrinkles. Then, you can consider weathering and gloss or dull coats ( I would never recommend brushing these)

cutting the decals as close as possible to the colored part of the decal is a must.

good luck!

 

[MrPickles]

First, microsol will not dissolve the film. I strongly recommend that anyone experiment with the solvents PRIOR to putting it on the model you just spent a month on!

I have had good results putting a layer of Micro Sol on top of the painted surface, then the decal, then a couple more layers of micro sol, letting each dry - this also seemed to flatten any small wrinkles. Then, you can consider weathering and gloss or dull coats ( I would never recommend brushing these)

cutting the decals as close as possible to the colored part of the decal is a must.

good luck!

airbrush it on then?

too bad you cant brush it. i only want it localized on the decal. i dont want it to get all over the place.

 

[MrPickles]

ive done a bunch more today - i dont notice much/any difference from the ones applied ontop of gloss varnish compared to paint.

after i sealed them with gloss varnish ontop they all look the same.

one thing that helped speed things up is putting the microsol ontop of the decal, putting the hair dryer onto it up close to dry it off and then pressing down on it with my finger once it's dry. then more blow drying. seems to help get them nice and flat and fast.

just waiting on the dullcoat now. i'm going to airbrush on a few thin layers. hopefully i wont have any disasters.