Decals

[hoth rebel]

Do they go before the gloss coat with micro sol the micro set then gloss coat weather and then dull coat?
Thanks.

[admiralcag]

- Apply a gloss coat that is chemically different from your color coat. Future is always a good choice.
- Dip your decal in warm water for about 30 seconds. You can mix in some PVA glue (Elmer's) to help the decals stick. Place on a piece of paper towel to drain excess water. Let it sit for about a minute. If you do put in glue, DO NOT USE Elmer's School Glue. It will not dissolve.
- Put down some MicroSet.
- Place your decal. Use some water and a soft brush to position it.
- Wick away excess water with cotton swabs and paper towels.
- Apply MicroSol. This will cause the decal to crinkle. Don't panic. It will also make the decal soft and easy to damage.
- Wick away excess MicroSol.
- Repeat. Do one side of the model at a time. Top, bottom, left, right.
- Let decals dry overnight. If you have an overlapping decal, like a windows decal and a Federation starship pennant, wait to do the top decal.
- Apply a gloss coat to seal the decals when done and to give them a uniform sheen.
- You may want to weather at this point, depending on the technique you are using. Oil washes work better on a glossy surface. YMMV.
- Apply a flat coat.
- Weather.

Hope this helps.

Vern

[hoth rebel]

Thank for your help.

[SpaceRanger1]

After decals have thoroughly dried and before applying any clear top coats, you might also wipe the model down with a soft damp cloth to remove any residue left by the evaporation of the Micro Set and Micro Sol. Setting solutions can sometimes cause brown stains to appear under the top coat, especially if the water in your area is hard.

[hoth rebel]

- Apply a gloss coat that is chemically different from your color coat. Future is always a good choice.
- Dip your decal in warm water for about 30 seconds. You can mix in some PVA glue (Elmer's) to help the decals stick. Place on a piece of paper towel to drain excess water. Let it sit for about a minute. If you do put in glue, DO NOT USE Elmer's School Glue. It will not dissolve.
- Put down some MicroSet.
- Place your decal. Use some water and a soft brush to position it.
- Wick away excess water with cotton swabs and paper towels.
- Apply MicroSol. This will cause the decal to crinkle. Don't panic. It will also make the decal soft and easy to damage.
- Wick away excess MicroSol.
- Repeat. Do one side of the model at a time. Top, bottom, left, right.
- Let decals dry overnight. If you have an overlapping decal, like a windows decal and a Federation starship pennant, wait to do the top decal.
- Apply a gloss coat to seal the decals when done and to give them a uniform sheen.
- You may want to weather at this point, depending on the technique you are using. Oil washes work better on a glossy surface. YMMV.
- Apply a flat coat.
- Weather.

Hope this helps.

Vern

Forgot to mention I am doing Bandai models. Do the above rules still work the same? Thanks.

[admiralcag]

It *should* work. If you have one, test with a spare decal.

Vern

[seam-filler]

Setting solutions can sometimes cause brown stains to appear under the top coat, especially if the water in your area is hard.

Try using filtered water or de-ionised (battery) water.

[SpaceRanger1]

Setting solutions can sometimes cause brown stains to appear under the top coat, especially if the water in your area is hard.

Try using filtered water or de-ionised (battery) water.

Yep. Shoulda mentioned that, because I use distilled water from Walmart.

[Kylwell]

Gloss coat - honestly can be anything that's non water soluble. Acrylics are non water soluble once cured.
Set decal in water then apply MicroSet to the area you're going to but the decal on.
Once decal is throughly wetted remove from water and let rest on a nonabsorbent surface.
Once the decal can slide on the paper, pick up the paper & decal, blot off any residue, and the decal on the model by sliding it off the paper. Gently.
Then once positioned and blotted again, apply some MicroSol. If the surface is especially curved you may need to apply more MicroSol to help it settle. If MicroSol isn't doing the job use Solvaset.
Let dry.

But that's for waterslide decals. You said you're using Bandai decals, are these the self-adhesive version?

[battlestar62]

thank you I have built models for long time but for some reason I have trouble with decals. I will try your method and see if it helps. on another note buying good decals is a way to get the best result see topic by the name of DECALS. I think its in general topics. and then decide who to buy from.


sorry I am just trying to help.