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Large Decal Wrinkling Problem

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  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Large Decal Wrinkling Problem
Posted by russamys on Sunday, February 10, 2008 7:50 AM

I have a heck of a time getting large decals to lay down flat.  I am currently working on a Hasegawa 1/32 Fw-190.  I am using the kit-supplied decals.  The smaller decals worked out fine, but the wing and fuselage Balkenkreuz gave me a lot of problems.  I used Micro Set/Micro Sol on them.  When I put the Micro Sol on them, they wrinkle like expected, but I can't get them to completely flatten out when they dry.  Even after repeated applications of Micro Sol, I still end up with small wrinkles in the decal.  I also had a similar problem with the tail swastikas. 

Has anyone else experienced this problem?  Am I doing something wrong?  Is there a better decal setting solution for larger decals such as these?

Russ

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Sunday, February 10, 2008 9:16 AM

Part of the problem is Hasegawa decals are notoriously thick. What you can do is to poke holes in the decal with the point of a new #11 blade...pepper it with lots of holes, this will allow the solvent to work better and the holes will not show. You also might want to use Solvaset which is a stronger setting solution. I have the Micro system, the Solvaset and a mixture of the two.

The real decals on aircraft have hundreds of pin holes in them to allow the air to escape from under the decal when applied. I have several mounted on large plaques in my man space.

 

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:11 PM

Russ,

Are you applying your decals over a flat or a gloss surface? Setting solutions should only be used when decalling over a gloss surface, as flat surfaces cause too much "drag" to allow the decals to fully flatten out as they dry.

 

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