QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix i just use regular scissors. I cut it out larger than it is because if you cut it exatly as it is it is small enough that you may damage it during application. Then after soaking in water for the reccommended time you slide it slightly off the paper you cut and hold part of the decal in place and gently slide the paper out from under it. The key is -BE GENTLE!
QUOTE: Originally posted by 8500HPGASTURBINE I did this when applying decals to my 4-12-2 I just painted. 1. Placed the decal over something hard, like a piece of wood. Use a "new" razor blade and cut as close to the decal as possable. You don't have to cut directly on the outside of the letters or design. 2. Next use "Distilled" water and let the decal soak for no more then 30 seconds. 3. Apply MICRO SOL with a small brush were the decal is going. 4. Remove decal and slide it onto the location. 5. With a brush dipped into the water move the decal around till it perfect. 6. Carefully blot the excess water off. 7. (most important) Using another brush apply SOLVASET onto the top of the decal. Just let it sit, it will shrink into cracks, around rivits, and the backing will be completly gone.
QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix I didn't protect it but i should sometime. What film around the decal? i used microscale and the decal is only the size of the design, but on the numbers you can just barley see the film in places like: center of the "zero" ect.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
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Gary M. Collins gmcrailgNOSPAM@gmail.com
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QUOTE: Originally posted by 8500HPGASTURBINE Basically they are the same thing. MICROSOL you put down before the decal goes on. Then you can also apply it over the decal. I have experiemented using different methods. Using MICROSOL first, then applying the decal and using SOLVASET. The SOLVASET will also remove the decal backing. Did you ever see a poorly allpied decal. You can see a hazy film under it, that's the backing. THIS PICTURE YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE BACKING THIS PICTURE IT'S VERY HARD TO SEE EVEN TILTING IT IN THE LIGHT
QUOTE: Originally posted by gmcrail Basically, 8500hpgas.... has it right, except you should use MicroSet instead of MicroSol prior to applying the decal. Microsol is much stronger (almost as strong as SolvaSet), and may prevent you from nudging the decal to its final position. Some further tips: Spray the model with a clear gloss finish before applying decals. After the decals have been applied and have fully dried, give the model another overcoat of clear gloss. Then when that has dried, clear-coat the model with your choice of final finish - flat, semi-gloss, etc.. This way, the final finish will have a uniformly glossy finish underneath it. It practically guarantees that the glossy decal film will disappear. Note the absence of any decal film on this model.
QUOTE: Originally posted by cwclark here are some pictures that explain decal application...I don't use micro sol because water with some alcohol in it does the same thing..it basically "wets" the back of the decal so a "silver" won't develop..i do use solvaset..it helps the decal adhere into all the nooks and crannies of the model...go to "trains 1" and "trains 2" for the complete picture demonstration ( i ran out of space in trains 1 so had to start a new album "trains 2" )....click the "next" button to view all the pictures: http://community.webshots.com/photo/137793353/1321880395055249160nqNfFx