Microscale set 'n' sol (or is it sol 'n' set)

Yann, that is EXACTLY what I was hoping you'd say - since I'm about to place an order on Squadron and they're out of Micro Set. 

Thanks!!!  (This will be the first time I ever did anything besides just slide the decal off of the paper onto the model, and I don't want to screw it up.)

Actually, they seemed to be out of just about everything I had intended to order.  Their loss.

The white vinegar is the exact same thing as the Micro Set for sure.  Alcohol works well as a solvent solution but maybe not as well as Micro Sol, there is something else in that bottle.

Using a cotton swab is good for both products and you can expect the Micro Sol to react in a few seconds (maybe 5)

Here is my suggestion:  Buy some white vinegar and get a bottle of Micro Sol.

1. Put the vinegar in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it.  (not too hot but well warm)

2. Put some vinegar on the surface where the decal must be applied.

3. Use a cotton swab or a paint brush to move the decal in position.

4. Waith until it dries.

5. Using a cotton swab, put some Micro Sol on the decal and wait.

6. Repeat the Micro Sol application as needed.

 One other thing.  I heard that Micro Sol is not the best Decal Solvent Solution on the market.  Maybe someone else can confirm this but I  heard that Solvaset is much more effective.

So what you're saying is,  I could use white vinegar instead of Micro Set and 90% rubbing alcohol instead of Micro Sol, and basically get the same results?  A trip to the supermarket would save me a trip to the hobby shop (5 minutes round trip versus 1 hour round trip)?

And in applying the Micro Sol, do you apply it liberally over the entire decal (and let the excess run off of the model), or gently and sparingly spread it over the decal with a cotton swab?  About how long before the decal becomes fragile and impossible to adjust?

  (I'm assuming you use a swab to spread the Micro Set over the area where the decal is to go.)

Sorry guys, moved the photo so that destroyed the link.

Here it is:

wing_nut wrote:

No picture 1/72.... just the dreaded red X.

No picture 1/72.... just the dreaded red X.

Here is the result (although after a took the picture decal settled even better). Thanks again thank you for the guidance.

Micro set (which is white vinegar) is a setting solution and can be applied on the surface before slidding the decal onto it.  Sometimes, that's enough for a good looking decal.

Micro sol is much stronger and will make almost any decals to conform perfectly to the surface.  This is applied directly on the decal once it is in place.  It is really important that the decal is in place before applying it cause that will soften the decals and it becomes too fragile to be manipulated.  So apply on the decals and let the solution work for a while.  Don't panic of you see the decal wrikling and %?%$?$"/&.  It all comes back to normal after a while.  Simply don't touch it.

Micro sol can also be replaced by 90% alcohol with good results.

Oh, and I said ALMOST any decals cause some are simply horrible.  Academy is sometimes supplying decals as thick as stickers and these are simply useless.

Hope this is of some help.