SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

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

3850 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • 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."

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.