decal shrivel issues

Eaglecash867

Sounds like your final gloss clear might be going down a little too heavy.  Have you tried a couple of light, mist coats over the decals to see if they still shrivel?

 

 

I did. I followed the directions on the can as usual. Fine light coats, wait 2 minutes between, and all within the 1 hour limit. But come to think of it, the last coat may have been heavier than the previous 4. But not so heavy to the point of running. It was more of a medium coat. 

Sounds like your final gloss clear might be going down a little too heavy.  Have you tried a couple of light, mist coats over the decals to see if they still shrivel?

Hey all, sorry to resurrect a super dead post, but I am having the same issue, kind of. My problem is my decals shriveled under the gloss clear top/sealing/finishing coat. I did everything by the "book" i.e. curing time for paint (at least 48hrs, sometimes longer) setting/settling time for decals to ensure they were settled and all moisture was 100% gone (also 48hrs or more) and using pure white vinegar for setting solution, being sure to wipe off any excess. I then give the model a wipe with a damp cloth with warm water to remove any residual residue. Wait another 48 then I apply my gloss clear topcoat. And watch in horror as my larger decals shrivel and deform. The decals are cartograph and the kit is the Fujimi Loctite Mclaren F1 GTR Longtail. What could be the cause? I'm using an Acrylic Gloss clear in a rattle can (Krylon). Have used in before with no issues. Maybe it's just the decals themselves? Although like I said, it was only the two larger Loctite decals running down the side of the car.

echolmberg wrote:

Hans, This might be splitting hairs here but should a person use the white vinegar on top of the decal or underneath it?  I'm having this same issue with my decals as well. Thanks, Eric

Both..

The decals I were laying were writing with fine lines in them and it made them go all wrinkly so the lines looked as if there on the turps!!! and the bolder lines slightly lost their straight edge. LOL

I have had the same problem with microsol and microset. It ruined a couple of decals I had and made a lot more work for me. The decals I were laying were writing with fine lines in them and it made them go all wrinkly so the lines looked as if there on the******and the bolder lines slightly lost their straight edge. It has also eaten into some paints I have used. I used the product exactly how it said and even visited the web site to make sure. Im sure it works great on some models but I don't think I will ever ever use it again as the risk of this happening again is just not worth it.

It sounds like the Micro Sol is too strong for those decals.

Try the Micro Set alone and see how it does.

Test a decal you don't need on an old model.

Leave the sandpaper alone! Use a polishing stick instead.

 

Voidses wrote:

A while back i had the exact same problem on a haze. mc202 and I did get this crazy idea to sand down the wrinkles. Guess what? It workt perfectly, I didn't even need to touch them up exept in a wery few minor places.  Almost every decal wrinkled but looked like this when I was done     Just be carefull, make sure the decals are completly dry and use a wery fine grit sandpaper.

I just tried this and it worked great. Beware... it's easy to get heavy handed with the sandpaper!

A while back i had the exact same problem on a haze. mc202 and I did get this crazy idea to sand down the wrinkles. Guess what? It workt perfectly, I didn't even need to touch them up exept in a wery few minor places.

 Almost every decal wrinkled but looked like this when I was done

 

 

Just be carefull, make sure the decals are completly dry and use a wery fine grit sandpaper.

 

 

 

Hans,

This might be splitting hairs here but should a person use the white vinegar on top of the decal or underneath it?  I'm having this same issue with my decals as well.

Thanks,

Eric

Thats pretty much the textbook method... gloss coat underneath, some setting solution immediately before where the decal is to be applied, blot with a soft damp cloth to press in place, and then solvent solution if need be to get the decal to conform to any irregularly shaped surfaces.

I hardly ever use one coat, much less several... A little squirt of Glosscoat or spray varnish in the area the decal goes, and that's it...

I don't think your issue's with your undercoat... I'd lay money on your setting solution not liking your decals... Try using white vinegar instead of "store-bought" decal set... It's all I ever use...

Come to think of it, I believe you're supposed to use Microsol on the surface, and Microset on the decal after it's n place, no? 

I was just reading somewhere that the cause may be a lack of gloss. I always gloss coat before decaling but I think it may not have been enough. how many gloss coats do you guys do before decaling?

if that happens to me i let it dry completely and then gently push it down with my finger and then give it another coat of sol,that usually does the trick for me.

but make sure its dry first otherwise you might get a finger print in the decal.

How big are the wrinkles? I suggest you try cutting slits in the wrinkles with a sharp xacto and then another application of the Micro Sol... On compound curve surfaces you may have to do this more than once to get the decals to sit properly.