Vallejo Decal Fix and Decal Softener

[Tijuana Taxi]

I have just bought these products and am at a loss about the correct way to use them.

The Vallejo instructional download says to apply the fix to the model then the softener once the decal has been positioned.

That makes sense to me because i'm assuming the fix helps the decal adhere to the surface better.

 

I also have their book "Airbrushing and Weathering Techniques"

In that starting on Page 130 it says the polar opposite as in Softener once the decal is positioned then when dry apply the fix liquid before a matt coat.

This seems counter intuitive to me, but the chap who wrote the book is obviously an extremely competent and experienced modeller.

 

Your thoughts please?

[Ray_W]

Follow the Vallejo instructions. There are plenty of YT videos demonstrating the use of Vallejo Decal Fix, where it is applied beneath the decal to prepare the model’s surface, followed by Decal Softener applied over the top. This approach is standard for many types of decal solutions. For example, Micro Set is used under the decal and Micro Sol over the top, or Gunze Mr Mark Setter underneath and Mark Softer over the decal.

 

I haven’t used the Vallejo product myself, but it appears to be a PVA-based solution intended to assist with placement and adhesion. I did notice in one video (Vallejo’s own) that the modeller slightly diluted the Fix solution with water before applying it.

 

As for applying a ‘fixer’ over the top of the decal, there may be cases where this is useful, but I don’t believe the Vallejo product is designed for that purpose.

 

Ray

[Tijuana Taxi]

16 minutes ago, Ray_W said:

Follow the Vallejo instructions. There are plenty of YT videos demonstrating the use of Vallejo Decal Fix, where it is applied beneath the decal to prepare the model’s surface, followed by Decal Softener applied over the top. This approach is standard for many types of decal solutions. For example, Micro Set is used under the decal and Micro Sol over the top, or Gunze Mr Mark Setter underneath and Mark Softer over the decal.

 

I haven’t used the Vallejo product myself, but it appears to be a PVA-based solution intended to assist with placement and adhesion. I did notice in one video (Vallejo’s own) that the modeller slightly diluted the Fix solution with water before applying it.

 

As for applying a ‘fixer’ over the top of the decal, there may be cases where this is useful, but I don’t believe the Vallejo product is designed for that purpose.

 

Ray

I agree Ray and that's what i'm going to do, fix then softener.

Very odd that it says the opposite in their book, lost in translation maybe?