I purchased 2 sets of Erie Lackawanna Microscale decals for a set of O Gauge FA diesels.
The issue I am anticipating is placing/cutting the decals around the raised number boards on the units I have and then cutting around the portholes on the wide stripe that stretches from the cab to the end of the car.
I was wondering if
A. I should cut the decals dry before wetting and applying;
B. I should wet and drape the decals over the area on the loco then cut with an exacto knife.
C. Can/ how should I use micro set/ sol to facilitate the application.
Also I need to place one decal on top of another decal e.g. the âEâ on the front of the loco. I assume I should let the bottom decal dry before applying the top decal- Do I use micro set and or micro sol to apply the top decal?
You should cut the decals dry as close to the image itself as possible. Apply Micro Set over the area to be decaled and immediately place the decal onto the model. Allow it to dry and then apply Micro Sol over the decal.
Micro Set softens the decal film to make it more flexible so that it will conform better to the modelâs surface. This prevents air bubbles from forming and results in an invisible film.
Micro Sol is a setting solution for irregular surfaces on models. It completely softens the decal, allowing it to conform to surface irregularities without distortion.
Just a thought here. You might try using some âdelicate surfaceâ masking tape wide enough to cover the area youâre going to decal then trim the numberboard area with a new X-acto blade.
Carefully peel off the masking tape and apply it to some thin paper and then trim away the excess paper and now you have a template to cut the decal (leaving just a bit extra that can be trimmed later(. While the decal is wet you can make very slight adjustments and make a slit with the sharp blade if necessary.
Yes, I would allow the first decal later to completely set before applying the nose herald.
While I have your interest - I have another situation involving decals
I painted a tank car matte black (actually 3 but have only applied decals to one of the cars) that I placed decals on - this was before I found out you are not supposed to apply decals to matte paint and about micro set and microsol
The decals are on the one car about 3 weeks now - I have noticed the âsilveringâ around the largest of the decals
My question- should I just spray the car with semi gloss overcoat and be done with it or
Apply micro set Abd/or micro sol -to the decals - will they minimize the silvering - then spray overcoat
Wow, this is a difficult decorating job. If it were me, I would use the decal as a template to cut out masking tape. In other words, the yellow and maroon will be painted on. Duplicate the decal template twice for each of the two colors.
When the yellow decal âRADIO EQUIPEDâ on the maroon shows through, buy another decal and stick it on top.
Since no one has responded, I will do my best to help. . . .
To fix silvering on a decal, just poke it with a sharp needle and get some softener (such as Micro-Sol or Solvaset) in the area. Repeat until you are satisfied.
By the way, one of the most important technique with decaling is to keep the room temperature above 60 degrees Fahrenheit until it sets. This is especially important this time of year.
Agreed. In the few instances where I have had silvering occur, I have used Microsol after pricking the problem spot(s). Some suggested using Solvaset which is similar to Microsol but Solvaset is a bit stronger solution.
No one has responded to your question this time. If you donât mind my opinion, please listen.
There are two purposes for applying a gloss clear coat before applying a decal to a matte surface.
The first is to prevent silvering. I have already mentioned how to fix this.
The second is to make the gloss of the decal film surface and the painted surface the same.
Of course, after applying the decal, we apply a matte or semi-gloss clear coat to the whole surface, but that alone does not eliminate the gloss difference between the two surfaces. Therefore, the most desirable method is to polish the matte painted surface with a compound. However, if the gloss is not uniform throughout, it will have the opposite effect, so this is only for experienced modelers. That is why, for those with our level of skill, the next best thing is to apply a gloss clear coat.
