The Difference Between Micro Sol and Micro Set

[richhotrain]

I have never put decals on any of my plastic freight cars or passenger cars or engines, but I am about to do so for the first time.

I bought some decals from Microscale and also purchased small bottles of Micro Sol and Micro Set.  I plan to put the decals on a plastic engine shell.

However, I don't really understand the difference between the two products.  Do you put Micro Set on the plastic surface first, then soak the decal in Micro Sol?  That seems to be what is indicated by the description for each product.  Here is Microscale's description for each product:

"Micro Set is a very versatile decal setting solution that does several things to the Microscale Decals to improve application. Micro Set should be applied to the surface of the model where you will be sliding off the decal. Micro Set prepares the surface with special wetting agents that cuts the oils in new paint and converts the adhesive on the back of the decal to a stronger and more lasting one. And finally, Micro Set slightly softens the decals film to make it more flexible so that it can conform better to the model's surface. Better adhesion by the decal to the model prevents tiny air bells from occurring and results in an invisible carrier film or the so called 'painted on look'. "

"Micro Sol setting solution is for the most difficult irregular surfaces you find on models. It completely softens the Microscale Decal allowing it to drape down onto the surface of the model conforming perfectly and without distortion. You can get the most amazing results in seemingly impossible places, because Micro Sol actually makes the decal part of the paint. For that reason you should coat Micro Sol on for only a few seconds and then leave it alone, it does the work. Do not touch until dry as the decal is very soft at this stage and could be easily damaged. "

Thanks in advance for your help.

Rich

[galaxy]

I psted a question about decaling some tiem ago. Here is the thread:

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/181743/1989359.aspx#1989359

One question I wanted to know was which bottle to buy of the two you mention and could not distinguish online ordering what to get. {or which of the decal solvents Microscale offered}

It seems most use Walthers "solvaset". AN entirely different animal.

I would say from the desriptions on the bottle, Micro set is what to use for regular decaling on flat surfaces.

I would say from the description you gave that Micro Sol is for decaling on the side of a brick building for instance, or a wood sided boxcar that has a lot of detail in it that the decal needs to "settle" into..

{BTW I got the Pledge shine with Future polish in it and never YET got around to decaling my engine and tender}

[locoi1sa]

  I have used both products from microscale and to me there seems to be no difference in how they react to decals and uneven surfaces. More than likely I am wrong but they seem to be very similar products and had no problems with either one.

     Pete

[steinjr]

 Micro set is used to prepare the surface of the model where you want to place your decal, so you can slide your decal off it's paper and onto the surface where you want it, and reposition it a little until you are happy. Wick off excess fluid using some paper or a sponge or something.

 Micro sol will "melt" the decal into paint - making it soften and snuggle into cracks and ridges etc. Once you have applied the Micro sol over the decal after it has been placed on the model, hands off - do not try to move the decal or wick off excess fluid - the decal will fall apart and be ruined.

Smile,
Stein

 

[Metro Red Line]

Save your money and only get Micro Sol. If you add a good amount to your surface, and use a toothpick to guide the decal, it will work just like Micro Set.

[modelmaker51]

Metro Red Line

Save your money and only get Micro Sol. If you add a good amount to your surface, and use a toothpick to guide the decal, it will work just like Micro Set.

I would NOT recommend that at all, especially for a first timer. The two are NOT the same. Micro Sol in most cases will not give you enough time to make any adjustments, the decal will start to soften in about 5 seconds afterwhich you're SOL, it will get so soft if you touch it, it will distort and/or tear and make it unusable.

I've been a custom painter (and decaler) for more than 20 years, and Stein's recommendations are right on, if you want professional looking results everytime. There are good reasons that Microscale makes both products as is stated in the quote from their instructions in a previous post. Micro Set cuts the surface tension (vacating most of the air under the decal), and slightly softens the decal making it easier to get the decal to conform to curves and irregular surfaces. Once dry, it should be followed by the MicroSol to permanently meld the decal to the model. After letting the decal dry, check for air pockets/bubbles, pop them with a pin or a fresh blade in your knife and add more MicroSol, repeat this until the decal looks like it's part of the paint.

Walthers' Solvaset is like Micro Sol. It used to be much stronger back in the days of thicker decals and even then, the common practice was to pour off some into another bottle and dilute it with water, so you could slightly soften the decal and position it, before applying it full strength.In these days of thin-film decals the stronger solution is no longer neccessary. If I'm using Solvaset, I still keep a bottle with a 50% solution.

One last thing, the OP kept mentioning "putting the Micro Set on the plastic surface". You should not apply decals to bare plastic as decals will easily lift off because there is no paint for the decals to "grab" on to. Decals should always be applied to a painted surface, Prefferably glossy. Even if it's just a gloss clear coat over the bare plastic. Once the decaling is done and completely dry, seal with the clear finish of your choice, flat, semi gloss or gloss.

[richhotrain]

This is great stuff, guys, including the link to an earlier thread.  I have been reading and re-reading these replies as I get ready to apply some decals for the first time.

I have purchased both Micro Sol and Micro Set, so I will be using both products as suggested.

modelmaker51, I should have been clearer when I stated that "I plan to put the decals on a plastic engine shell".  It is already painted.  Actually, the plastic painted shell is a 1946 American Flyer Baldwin diesel shell.  The painted surface is glossy.  The original "decal" was actually a C&NW sticker which has been torn over the years.  So, my plan is to remove the sticker and palce the decal on the painted surface.

Which raises another question.  The original paint job on the American Flyer shell has obviously not been applied in the same manner as today's paint applications.  I do have a second shell that I purchased on eBay to scavenge some parts from.  I will you that shell to experiment on before actually applying the decals to my own shell.  Does anyone foresee any problems with decaling this older plastic shell, using Micro Sol and Micro Set?

Rich