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bubbling in decals

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  • Member since
    December 2003
bubbling in decals
Posted by Enzo_Man on Friday, April 23, 2004 2:06 PM
Hey all. I've been having troubles with decals, nothing major though. When I put decals on the backside of windscreens, like on a Tamiya Kawasaki ZX-12R, Tamiya F40, and Tamiya Supra. When I put them on I press out all the bubbles. Everything is smooth, you can see that on the otherside of the window. But... as it dries little bubbles start to form. I try to press them out, put it won't work. Should I have used a solvent or a setting solution?
Aerodynamics is for people who can't build engines.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Friday, April 23, 2004 6:37 PM
Short answer is Yes. You can probably eliminate the bubbles by using a sharp new needle & very carefully pierce the bubbles, then apply a setting solution like MicroSol. Wait awhile and the bubbles should disappear.
RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by nicholma on Saturday, April 24, 2004 5:06 AM
Wipe the area with micoset, place the decal on it and then apply the microsol. You shouldn't ever get the problem then.
Kia ora, Mark "Time flies like the wind, fruit flies like bananas"
  • Member since
    December 2003
Posted by Enzo_Man on Saturday, April 24, 2004 10:38 AM
Thanks peoples! I'm planning on picking up the Micro Sol and MicroSet next week. I wish I a good digicam to take some pics of the problem. You all know how decals slightly shrink when they dry, it looks like (in remote area under the decal) it pulled away from the plastic. Leaving a bubble with really strange edges, almost jagged. Hopefully the Micro stuff will work.
Aerodynamics is for people who can't build engines.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Saturday, April 24, 2004 11:04 AM
The bubbles are caused by air trapped under the decal and being compressed as the decal dries and the glue pulls it down tight. Even though you pressed the decals down, you can't eliminate all of the air.Using the Micro Sol / Set system will minimize this problem on future builds.
RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    December 2003
Posted by Enzo_Man on Saturday, April 24, 2004 10:52 PM
Thanks Rick and Nicholma. I gotta get the Micro Sol and Set before I build the F40. Will It work to ge the bubbles out of dried decals. Like soften them again?
Aerodynamics is for people who can't build engines.
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by nicholma on Sunday, April 25, 2004 3:17 AM
Yes Enzo-Man it will soften the decal if you apply it again but its best to do as Rick suggested , prick the bubble with a very fine and sharp needle then apply the microsol. It should then settle down and you won't know you had a problem. I've lifted decals that have been on models for several years and then refixed them with the micro products -they're a very necessary part of the tool box.
Kia ora, Mark "Time flies like the wind, fruit flies like bananas"
  • Member since
    December 2003
Posted by Enzo_Man on Sunday, April 25, 2004 11:45 AM
Cool deal. Definently can't wait to get some of those goods now. Sounds like they'll elp out tremendously. Thanks again!
Aerodynamics is for people who can't build engines.
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