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more setting woes

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mgh
  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Utah County, Utah
more setting woes
Posted by mgh on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 9:26 AM

I have read through the posts here, so I know my problem is nothing new.  I bought some Testors decal set some time ago, and did not think it did much.  On my latest kit I tried vinegar diluted 50/50 with water, and alcohol diluted the same way, but neither would let the decal form around hinges, rivets, or recessed lines.

Built Tamiya's M16.  Putting star decal on hood (I know it is the wrong decal for the hood, but that is a different story) I used the vinegar/water solution to wet, put the decal on.  The decal 'tents' over the hinges.  I put some more vinegar on it, and blotted it down with a piece of paper towel, and the decal tore around the hinges.  It did NOT tear sideways, in other words, the decal did not slide, but instead of forming around the details, it tore around them.

I am unable to get a macro shot out of my little point-and-shoot camera, but maybe the holes show up here.  I do not have many choices around here for hobby supplies, but I will go by the local shop and see what he has for decal setting solution.

topdecal.jpg

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Democratic Peoples Republic of Illinois
Posted by Hercmech on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 9:49 AM

Give Mr Mark Softer a try, or the Micro Sol stuff...both work well.


13151015

  • Member since
    March 2006
Posted by TD4438 on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 9:56 AM

Micro-Sol and Micro-Set work wonders even on thick decals.It took numerous applications over a 24 hour period,but these meatballs finally layed down.Biggest PITA decals I've ever worked with.

Before

 

After

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 10:13 AM

Don't use Tamiya decals...I had the same thing happen with the markings on my Fw 190 recently - Micro-Sol was useless, and even Solvaset barely did a thing.

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

mgh
  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Utah County, Utah
Posted by mgh on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 11:53 AM

My LHS did in fact have Micro Sol, so I bought some.  I did help, and maybe if I had started off with it I could have gotten better results.  It still did not conform very well, but did do better than my home-made concoctions.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Thursday, January 5, 2012 8:36 AM

mgh

My LHS did in fact have Micro Sol, so I bought some.  I did help, and maybe if I had started off with it I could have gotten better results.  It still did not conform very well, but did do better than my home-made concoctions.

I always use the setting solution first, even if I will be using the solvent afterwards.  It helps- leaves less for the sol to do.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: n/w indiana
Posted by some assembly required on Thursday, January 5, 2012 1:25 PM

i have to agree with doogs here- tamiya decals are iffy at best. i recently built a p47 and they were terrible! i cant comprehend a company that has that level of engineering and such bad decals! do you have a Michaels or Hobbylobby nearby? you can get stencil material that you can use to make the star much easier at either of those stores.

mgh
  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Utah County, Utah
Posted by mgh on Thursday, January 5, 2012 1:56 PM

some assembly required

do you have a Michaels or Hobbylobby nearby? you can get stencil material that you can use to make the star much easier at either of those stores.

I do have both stores here.  Are you talking about cutting a star out of some kind of decal paper?

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