To soak or not to soak!

Academy decals are very touchy.

I just barely soak them in lukewarm water only, taking them out just before they will slide, and carefully sliding them directly onto the spot (with a gloss finish) where the decal is to go.

Then I smooth them with a wet finger (they are so thin I do not recommend Solvaset), wait for them to dry and curl up some. 

I then apply a coating of a suitible Testors acrylic clear coat with a soft bristle paint brush to make them lay flat again and seal them in place.

This is the procedure I used for both the Academy Korean War F4U-4, as well as their 144th scale B-17, "A Bit O Lace", since in both cases the decal markings were vrey accurate, and the artwork for their B-17 is unmatched by anything I have seen in a larger scale.

OK?

Tom T

 

 

T_Terrific wrote:

Academy decals are very touchy. I just barely soak them in lukewarm water only, taking them out just before they will slide, and carefully sliding them directly onto the spot (with a gloss finish) where the decal is to go. Then I smooth them with a wet finger (they are so thin I do not recommend Solvaset), wait for them to dry and curl up some.  I then apply a coating of a suitible Testors acrylic clear coat with a soft bristle paint brush to make them lay flat again and seal them in place. This is the procedure I used for both the Academy Korean War F4U-4, as well as their 144th scale B-17, "A Bit O Lace", since in both cases the decal markings were vrey accurate, and the artwork for their B-17 is unmatched by anything I have seen in a larger scale. OK? Tom T

OK , so I forget the vinegar and I will try this with Future instead of Testors acrylic clear coat.  Thanks

T_Terrific wrote:

Academy decals are very touchy. I just barely soak them in lukewarm water only, taking them out just before they will slide, and carefully sliding them directly onto the spot (with a gloss finish) where the decal is to go. Then I smooth them with a wet finger (they are so thin I do not recommend Solvaset), wait for them to dry and curl up some.  I then apply a coating of a suitible Testors acrylic clear coat with a soft bristle paint brush to make them lay flat again and seal them in place. This is the procedure I used for both the Academy Korean War F4U-4, as well as their 144th scale B-17, "A Bit O Lace", since in both cases the decal markings were vrey accurate, and the artwork for their B-17 is unmatched by anything I have seen in a larger scale. OK? Tom T

Wow, you describe Academy's decals as being thin, but my experience with Academy's decals, the 1/72 Fw-190A-8 and1/72 Fiesler Storch, were that the decals were so thick they would not recess into the panel lines at all, even with repeated brushing of Microsol after application.  It was like the Microsol had no effect on them at all.  I thought they were horrible.  I planned on making sure I bought AM decals if I ever bought another Academy kit.  Does Academy use different decals for different models?

I agree with T_terrific, the few ones that I put on were really thin, I broke one into pieces.  By chance, there was spare ones. 

Soak your decal for about 10 seconds, then take them out and set them aside for 20 seconds or so, then put them on, where ever you intend to put the decal on the aircraft, smack some micro set on there, its a decal glue solution, once the decal is smoothed and free of air bubbles give it a good hour and then with a soft brush put on some micro sol, micro sol will melt the decal to the kit making it looked more painted on, after that give it a good day to cure. Then slowly build up layers of future spraying at around 15psi, give it at least 2 hours before adding another coat.

TryintoModel wrote:

Wow, you describe Academy's decals as being thin, but my experience with Academy's decals, the 1/72 Fw-190A-8 and1/72 Fiesler Storch, were that the decals were so thick they would not recess into the panel lines at all, even with repeated brushing of Microsol after application.  It was like the Microsol had no effect on them at all.  I thought they were horrible.  I planned on making sure I bought AM decals if I ever bought another Academy kit.  Does Academy use different decals for different models?

I get the impression that they are seeking different suppliers of decals to remedy the problems that they had with the very flimsy ones.

I have that 190 kit as well, so I will take your experience into consideration!

Thanks.

  Tom T

I bought a decal sheet from Leading Edge Models for a Canadian CF-18.  I heard good comments about Leading Edge, so the only decals I will use out of the box will be the ones for the warnings and maintenance and the ones on the weapons.