Thread: Decals on flat colors!

You are always risking silvering by applying decals directly to a flat surface. By its nature it is slightly rough and this will allow minute air bubbles to be trapped in the surface and under the decal. There are several options. You can use the acrylic polish which we know as Klear. In the US it was "Future", now "Pledge with future shine". I'm sure it must be available in Canada.Here it WAS (another thread) available in most super markets and household stores.I would recomend brushing a couple of coats on before decalling,not only does this give a gloss surface for the decals but also protects your cherished paint job from everything from "hanger damage" to the application of weathering (washes, filters etc). If you don't want to gloss the entire model you can use "Future" as a setting solution. Either way you will have to apply a Flat coat to return the model to an overall Flat finish.
I have seen decals softened and made to conform without special solutions. One technique was to use a hairdryer to warm the decal and blow it into detail. Another was to heat a wet cotton bud with a soldering iron and roll the hot bud over the decal. I've never tried either but they seemed to work. I'd have a go on some scrap first!
As for setting solutions, the first stage (like Microset) is easily made. It is just acetic acid, you can use any white vinegar straight from the bottle. This I have done myself. Many of the second stages (like Microsol) appear to be a solution of Isopropyl alcohol. you would have to experiment to get the dilution correct,there is always a risk of "melting" or shriveling you decals completely! In this case I've never risked making my own.
Finally as more and more hobby shops disappear it does become more difficult to pop out and buy these products. I can only suggest that you buy online. I live in Britain's second city and yet still buy most of my stuff on line.There are only two shops within a reasonable distance which is two more than for most people! . Sadly it's a sign of the times.
Good luck with those decals
Cheers
Steve

First, thanks a lot for your help!! So if I understood correclty I could put some white vinegar on the surface who needs decals and then before it dry... I apply the decals?! Sorry for my english by the way...
thanks again!

Originally Posted by hymieweiss

First, thanks a lot for your help!! So if I understood correclty I could put some white vinegar on the surface who needs decals and then before it dry... I apply the decals?! Sorry for my english by the way...
thanks again!

Yes, I grip the backing sheet with tweezers then,using a paint brush, slide the decal off and into a little pool of solution (vinegar). Once I have it in position I gently brush it down with a larger brush and then smooth it out with a tissue (or cotton bud for little ones.) Work from the centre out to remove all the air that may be trapped underneath. Don't forget to wash away any traces of the solution after the decals are dry and before you apply anything else!
I have to say that applying decals onto a non gloss surface is always going to be a dicey affair. No matter how hard you try you just can't remove microscopic air bubbles trapped in the flat surface so silvering is always a risk.
The best results are applying to a gloss surface or using Klear/Future as a setting solution.
All the best
Steve