Micro sol

Hello Mike

 I always use a gloss for my models because as you are aware it does create a nice smooth surface for the decal to settle on.  The only question is whether to always use both "set" and "sol".  You may find the decals of such high quality that you only need to keep the decal moist while positioning it and then use Micro Set to adhere it in place, pulling it down onto the detail.

 Whether you feel a gloss is not necessary depends on your own experiences using Sol and Set only but I haven't stopped gloss coats on my kits while using the decal solutions.

As always - best advice is try it and decide for yourself!!

Good luck and happy modelling

Moose

Yes. The problem with decaling over a matte surface is air getting under the decal causing silvering. This can happen immediately or after a length of time, even years.

Micro-Sol & -Set will help snuggle the decal into panel lines and over bumps, but cannot deal with the microscopic roughness that matte paints have.

Applying a gloss coat before the decal reduces silvering (but doesn't always eliminate it!), and applying another gloss coat after the decals gives the effect that the decal is painted on.

Silvering isn't the only issue.

When using a decal setting solution, when it works properly the first thing that starts to happen is that the decal will shrivel and appear to wrinkle up on the model's surface. As if by magic, as it dries, it smooths out again and snuggles down tightly onto the surface.

A gloss surface is smooth and slick and offers little resistance to the decal as it dries.

A flat or matt surface (covered in microscopic pits) offers far more resistance to the decal as it settles, which can prevent the decal from settling down completely, resulting in the decal drying with creases and wrinkles which are impossible to remove or repair.

Thank you guys i think you have made my mind up, i am building a 1/32 scale phantom and do not want to mess it up, so gloss coat here i come.

Cheers

Mike