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How do you clean the residue of Microset and Microsol off a gloss finish?

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  • Member since
    May 2020
  • From: South Africa
How do you clean the residue of Microset and Microsol off a gloss finish?
Posted by ohms on Friday, August 12, 2022 1:59 AM

Hi everyone,

 

Please see pic. I applied my decals over a dried gloss finish last night (3 gloss coats, actually), but now there's a bit of residue from the Microset and/or Microsol (or maybe it's the residue from the decal glue.

 

What can I do to remove it before adding 2 more layers of gloss?

 

All feedback appreciated.

 

Into model building since September 2019. Also into books (mostly science-fiction), comic books, and gaming.

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Friday, August 12, 2022 6:08 AM

On a gloss finish like that, I would think that a little gentle rubbing with a clean microfiber towel would do the trick.

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

  • Member since
    February 2021
Posted by MJY65 on Friday, August 12, 2022 7:11 AM

I usually wet a swab with distilled water to clean most of it off.  The finish should look fine again once you spray the gloss coats.  

  • Member since
    March 2021
Posted by bapowellphys on Friday, August 12, 2022 12:28 PM

I agree with the others that the residue should come off with water, but I've had times where it hasn't.  Once I believe it was due to insufficient curing/drying time of the gloss coat (future).  Any residue you can't remove should disappear under a flat coat (which you could try before the planned gloss coats).

 

Check out my latest builds here!

  • Member since
    March 2022
  • From: Twin cities, MN
Posted by missileman2000 on Friday, August 12, 2022 3:16 PM

Neither Micro Set Nor Micro Sol should leave a residue.  Sol is made from pure acetic acid and water, which should have no solids in it.

Now people who use vinegar may have a residue.  Food vinegar does have particulates.  If you do make your own, use white vinegar or cleaning vinegar, which are made from pure acetic acid and water (about 3 - 5%).

Every time I had residue, it has come from the glue.

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2020
  • From: South Africa
Posted by ohms on Saturday, August 13, 2022 5:01 AM

Thanks all, I appreciate the feedback.

 

I think I'll let the glue dissolve completely before applying from now on.

Into model building since September 2019. Also into books (mostly science-fiction), comic books, and gaming.

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Saturday, August 13, 2022 9:25 AM

Hi!

     What I do with Decals, part one. I handle them carefully, cut them at their very edges, soak them till they start to curl, Apply them to my clear coated surface then take a swab with distilled water on it and rub the decal gently from the center to the outside edges. Then I apply Micro-Set and after a wee bit  of Drying the decal and apply Micro-Sol. ON the Decal, Never on the outside, because when you maneuver the swab from the middle to the outside the decal glue is left in a non-discernable line will clean up with distilled water.

     Think about this (Micro-Set), Solvent to soften the decal and let IT conform to the surface.  (Micro-Sol), sets the decal to the position and detail it covers. It's like a Kicker for the remaining Glue on the decal. Foreign bits then come loose leaving the decal looking like it was painted on. then just a Mist coat over the decal. Polish and done! NOTE:

      When handling Decals,Wet or Dry, use a pair of tweezers used by Philatalists(Stamp Collectors). 

  • Member since
    January 2020
Posted by Space Ranger on Saturday, August 13, 2022 10:03 AM

Micro-Set is a wetting agent to help slide the decal in place. It should be used FIRST, before Micro-Sol, per instructions on the bottles (!).

  • Member since
    April 2020
Posted by Eaglecash867 on Saturday, August 13, 2022 11:34 AM

I personally don't use MicroSet or anything else until the decal is where I want it to be.  I find that even MicroSet softens the decal a little too much for my liking when I'm wanting to still move it around and manipulate it.  I just use ordinary filtered tap water to keep it wet, and use either a small brush or the silicone rubber decal positioning tool I got from the old Squadron.  Once its in position and I have squeegeed the water and air out from underneath it, I just go right to MicroSol and give it 3 applications of that.  If that isn't enough (which depends largely on the decal manufacturer) then I go to the nuclear option and use Solvaset.  Cool

"You can have my illegal fireworks when you pry them from my cold, dead fingers...which are...over there somewhere."

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