Micro Scale decal film TOO THIN!

[Anonymous]

What can I safely spray on Micro Scale decals before use to prevent them from disintigrating and falling apart into tiny fragments after they are released from the backing paper? This is an all too common problem and age has nothing to do with it. Boy I miss Herald King! -Frustrated.

[DSchmitt]

Testors dull coat or gloss coat

[Anonymous]

I dont see the problem... Perhaps they are not yet ready to come off backing? Or there is not enought water (Microsol) at the spot assigned to the decal? Or did you have to move it a bit after the decal has already snuggled? Perhaps your finger tips and knive or tweezers are not kept wet? Not good to be pushed for time while applying decals.

I have been told that a spray of decal film onto the Sheet helps in some cases. Once in a great while one will break on me, but I try to get em onery little stickies on to the model before they get too dry or start to settle in onto the Micro set or sol. Good Luck!

Lee

[Anonymous]

I'm with Highiron! Micro Scale is likely the best decal manufacture going. However, I have used Champion decals with excellent results also. My guess is all manufacturers use pretty much the same decal film I also think you might be doing something wrong. Micro Scale has excellent instructions on applying their products. Read these, if you haven't and follow their suggestions. The idea with decals is to have as little of the film show as possible. This means the film needs to be very thin! Decaling is a process which needs to be learned and honed with experiance. Keep on doing and you will eventually achieave good results!

[tomwatkins]

I regularly use very old Microscale decals without problems. Let them soak long enough to move freely on the backing paper.Wet the area where they are going to be placed with Micro-set. Slide the decal into position with a toothpick. If it sticks before it's in the right position add more Micro-set. When it's in the right position wet it down again with Micro-set and let it dry. When dry, coat the area with Micro-sol. I also store my decals in file folders in a filing cabinet which keeps them flat and prevents the sheets from getting bent. It also eliminates most light from getting to them. I've also stored them flat in boxes with lids which accomplishes the same thing. I really like their decals and wi***hey made more steam and transisition area sheets.

[DSchmitt]

Out of the 100's of microscale decals I have used, I had a problem with "new" decals breaking up only once. I purchased 4 or 5 of the same set. Microscales quality control apparently slipped up because the decals were thinner than usual. This was the case with all the sets.

Some of my decals are very old,have not been carefully stored, and do break up unless I spray them with a clear coat first.

[Anonymous]

I keep my decals in ziplock bags. Doing this keeps them from in a sense fresh. I've also discovered that temperature changes can affect decals. Also keep them flat if they are bent or are rolled up they will disentegrate. Just what I have experienced, hope this helps.

Jeremy

[Anonymous]

Thanks DSchmitt for a very useful tip; clear gloss overspray on the entire decal sheet seems to help. I appreciate all the tips and advice guys. Quite honestly, I have been doing all of the things you have all suggested for 20 plus years of modeling. My decals are stored in zip-pouch bags, flat, in a drawer out of the sun, I use Mico-Set and Micro-Sol and I apply them properly. Micro Scale decals are just too @#$! thin. I have had new sheets with absolutely no sheen to them at all, and when I dip them they disintegrate on the backing paper the moment I try to slide them onto the car. I'm going to make it a habit to gloss spray all of my Micro Scale decal sheets from now on.

[Anonymous]

Only time I have had a problem is when I used a decal set that was too strong. Once I diluted my setting solution, I had no more problems. Once they are in place and you have put the setting solution on them don't touch until dry. Then re-coat with setting solution as needed to "snuggle" down.

As others have said, spray a light coat of dull coat or gloss coat on the decals before removing from paper and let dry before using. I have only done this on old decals.

Hope this helps.

StuebsRR

[Anonymous]

I had the same problems when I started out, and a light overspray of dullcote, dunking the decals for twice as long as instructions, and letting them sit for at least 30 seconds before I peeled them off made all the difference in the world for me.

---jps