Decals not staying in place

[wavodavo]

Hello

I've been applying some decals and most of them are stick fine but some of the small ones are not sticking. I press them down into place but they either come off still attached to the paper towel im using or seem to have looked like they have set and still able to move and get stuck to my finger. Does anyone have a solution for this?

I've seen so many decal setting solutions around and don't know whats the best and won't show up as a mess on the model.

Cheers

Dave

[Mike]

Firstly, let's just check you're decaling onto a gloss surface - that's essential to minimise silvering. Usually a coat of your favorite gloss varnish is sufficient. Then, grab yourself some Micro Set, and put a drop under the decal before applying it. Get some good quality cotton buds, and roll one across the decal. That squeezes out all the excess liquid & air from under the decal, and should ensure that it sticks. The rolling action also minimises sideways force on the decal so it shouldn't shift position.

Another option is to apply the decal onto a tiny puddle of Klear floor polish. The Klear sucks the decal into the panel lines as it dries, and also helps it stick.

Many ways to skin this particular cat, but most of them don't involve fingers or paper towel

[Enzo the Magnificent]

Hello

I've been applying some decals and most of them are stick fine but some of the small ones are not sticking. I press them down into place but they either come off still attached to the paper towel im using or seem to have looked like they have set and still able to move and get stuck to my finger. Does anyone have a solution for this?

I've seen so many decal setting solutions around and don't know whats the best and won't show up as a mess on the model.

Cheers

Dave

The absolute best decal setting solution is Kleer - if you can still find any, that is.

[pigsty]

Hanging on to you, rather than sticking to the model, is often a result of the model's surface not being willing to accept the decal. And that's often because it's not smooth enough, so Mike's advice is right on the money there. Even then, I often find that decals prefer my company, and when that happens it's often because they're too dry and are trying to settle on me. My solution is to wet them again, ever so slightly, and press a bit harder. A helping nudge from my favourite nail file usually persuades them to stick. (You'll have noticed from this that I use my fingers to apply decals. It doesn't seem to be a problem.)

If they stick to the model but then wander around, it's usually because they're in a little puddle and aren't actually touching the model. Beer glasses do the same on a wet bar. The solution there is to wick away the excess moisture - with your paper towel - and then shift the decal into its final position.

You'll have spotted the inherent problem here: your decals need to be in the Goldilocks position of being not too wet and not too dry. It takes a while but you will eventually find that "just right" spot.

[wavodavo]

Thanks for replies. It seems everyone swears by Klear. I'm gonna try and find some at the weekend and the do a few practices on my spares models.

[Mike]

We also swear AT Klear occasionally too... familiarity breeds contempt