Bumps where the decal should go, what to do...

those bumps are supposed to represent lights. recognition or whatever. they should be painted the same as the wingtip lights. red for port, blue/green or green or blue for starboard.

But the instructions and pictures show the meatball decals covering them.

in real life they would have either masked the light covers before painting the insignia on or installed the lights after painting. almost certainly the former.

Decal setting solution is what you need to get those meatballs to snug down on your Zero. There are many brands available, such as Micro sol, Solv-a-set, and Microscale's, just to name a few. Check your LHS or online.

ditto on setting solution. should have mentioned snugging the decals down. make sure you have a smooth glossy surface first. do your decal thing. when they are all snug and dry, trim arround the "bump" or light (closely!) then paint with the appropriate color.

I had sprayed it with Future and I was using a decal set solution. Although it probably wasn't worth a darn. It was the decal set soluction from testors. I think I remember reading somewhere that it's nothing more than white vinager. Is this not the stuff I need or was I doing right? I'm guessing the solution is supposed to soften the decals. It didn't seem to soften them, or at least not enough to snug up over that bumb. Actually, its a small peg sticking up.

The peg is a visual reference for the landing gear. When the gear is down and locked, the peg would stick up as a visual reference for the pilot. It told him the gear was down. When retracted it would indicate the gear was up.

If the decal will not set over the peg, slice the decal around the peg and apply setting solution and press the decal into position. You may have to use a # 11 blade to trim the decal around the peg.

Sounds like maybe older Tamiya decals? They can be difficult. Micro-Sol would be my first choice for those and probably would have to use several applications. If that is not available and you want results now mix a solution of water and 10% vinegar as a setting solution. You may need to make it stronger but start weak as vinegar is really Glacial Acetic Acid and too strong will ruin your decals.

Your right, Swanny. I don't know about old, but it's a Tamiya A6M2 "Zeke" 1/48. I'm new to modeling and this was the cheapest Tamiya model out there, only $12. It fit together real well, and was smooth and detailed compared to other models in my price range right now.

the gear down indicator "peg" is closer to the fuselage nearer to the leading edge of the wing (above the landing gear leg) than where you have described your bumps to be. these are most certainly lights. UNLESS they are located right at the joint or line where the aileron meets the wing. in that case the "bump" would represent (i'm not sure of the correct term) spring tab or mass balance doodad installed on the Zero's wings for the ailerons. very early Zeros had mass balance doodads slung below the aileron similar to the 109's, but this item was deleted before long. the spring tab thingy (on top) was on all Zeros except possibly the first batches. the tamiya kit (older) may not represent this tab very well, but the hasegawa kits (newer) do as a separate piece. check photos. i think this will solve your dilema, 10-4?

Swanny's right, Tamiya (and Hasagawa) decals are rather hard to get to lay down. Unless you are really determined to use the kit decals, I would recommend looking into some after market decals at your LHS. I think you will find they go on a heck of a lot easier and look better.