Applying aftermarket decal help

[raser13]

Hey guys, I bought a set of pnt grey hull platting detail decals for a project that I'm working on. The problem, I haven't put decals on a model in decades. To say my skills are rusty is an understatement. And I've never done aftermarkets.

Do the pnt ones need to be clear coated? What would you recommend clearing it with?

I've watched a lot of youtube videos on applying them. All of them use micro sol and set. Is this really necessary to get them to form fit the ship panel lines? Or is this something that you highly recommend investing in? Does having to clear coat the decals change how you use the sol and set to apply the decals.

[SpaceRanger1]

The decal manufacturer will usually recommend clear coating, but I'm unfamiliar with PNT decals. Clear coating generally does not affect the application of decal setting solutions.

Micro Set and Micro Sol are, in my opinion, invaluable and work with 95% of the decals available. Some decals might require a "hotter" solvent such as Walthers' Solvaset.

The best tutorial on decal application is Paul Budzik's, available on YouTube's Scale Model Workshop channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_rdwH1EGus&t=269s

[raser13]

Holy good lord! A seringe used as a punch for rivits! Don't think I'll ever get that detailed.

Anyone know where to get that stripe cutter he had? I can see one of those being useful for making things styrene strips for details as well.