micro set/sol

[Pearson.J]

Hi,

I don’t usually buy fancy stuff for my models, but I thought I should for my buccaneer. I got the Xtradecal buccaneer decal set thing. On the instructions it says to use micro set, and micro sol…. I have the Humbrol varnish paint pots… could these be alternatives? And what do the micro set/sol things do?

Cheers

Jamie

[Ronnie]

Hi,

I don’t usually buy fancy stuff for my models, but I thought I should for my buccaneer. I got the Xtradecal buccaneer decal set thing. On the instructions it says to use micro set, and micro sol…. I have the Humbrol varnish paint pots… could these be alternatives? And what do the micro set/sol things do?

Cheers

Jamie

Hi Jamie,

Micro set and Micro sol help the decals to bed down onto the paintwork. They have to be applied onto gloss varnish, set first then sol. The decals will wrinkle at first but as long as you don't touch them or try to smooth them out the wrinkles will disappear on their own. Very occasionally the decals can "silver" a little, but this is easily remedied by pricking the silver area with a pin and applying more micro sol. The silvering is usually tiny air bubbles trapped under the decal. Once the decals have set, you wash them carefully to remove any residue and then apply gloss or matt varnish over the entire model. You'll find full instructions on the bottles.

Hope this helps,

Ronnie

[ChelseaFC]

further to what ronnie told you

micro set is a wetting agent... place this where yr decal will go

micro sol is the softener this goes onto the decal after its placed and will make the decal settle into detail what ronnie said really just dont touch it after its applied.. you will think something is wrong with it but its not just leave it

of the 2 wouldnt worry too much about getting micro set can live without that for most decals , sol is invaluable (and the other types out there...personally like the daco ones)

[Pearson.J]

further to what ronnie told you

micro set is a wetting agent... place this where yr decal will go

micro sol is the softener this goes onto the decal after its placed and will make the decal settle into detail what ronnie said really just dont touch it after its applied.. you will think something is wrong with it but its not just leave it

of the 2 wouldnt worry too much about getting micro set can live without that for most decals , sol is invaluable (and the other types out there...personally like the daco ones)

Wicked, thanks guys, so I need to get some sol, I read that some people coat things in Klear... do you think that the Humbrol varnish's would do the same?

Cheers

Jamie

[Mark M]

yep it will be fine just let it dry give it a day then you will be ok

[ChelseaFC]

Wicked, thanks guys, so I need to get some sol, I read that some people coat things in Klear... do you think that the Humbrol varnish's would do the same?

Cheers

Jamie

if you mean before you put decals on then make sure its a gloss varnish

some ppl do use klear and swear by it for decaling but ive never tried it personally but using varnish for that ive not heard of it but i stand to be corrected on that

[darson]

Hi Jamie, I was clueless too. I use MicroSet on flat surfaces as it seems to get rid of edges etc.

However, I use MicroSol on compound and complex curves and details. I put down a layer of Future (Klear or whatever), then when dry paint over with MicroSol. I then apply the decal and paint over it with MicroSol. It then wrinkles and looks awful and you think you are doomed but you are not.

Just take care its very fragile, leave it alone if its in the right spot, only if very, very necessary I coax it into shape a little with a brush wet with Sol. Allow to dry and repeat coats of Sol as necessary. Use a fine brush to get the Sol under edges and wrinkles, use it liberally. Eventually it will dry and the wrinkles vanish leaving an awesome result. Seal with Klear. Hope this helps mate.

Cheers

[oggy4624]

The exception to the rule are Hasegawa and Tamiya which require a different solution, Mr Mark Softer and Setter.

These can be very agressive to other decals.

Some decals do not respond to the Micro sol and set solutions.

[Pearson.J]

The exception to the rule are Hasegawa and Tamiya which require a different solution, Mr Mark Softer and Setter.

These can be very agressive to other decals.

Some decals do not respond to the Micro sol and set solutions.

Thank you very muck for your knowledge... one more question, can you spray micro sol though and airbrush, and do you coat the whole plane in it, or just the decal area?.... that’s two, opps.

Jamie

[goon]

Just use a soft paint brush to apply it to the decal itself.

[mrcooljules]

This is a WIP shot, on the italeri DUKW.

look at the white start on the side, and see how its so tight and pulled right over the ribs on the side...i had to use a fair bit of sol n set to get this effect. without any it wouldnt have sat night and tight and looked poor.

get some, lasts for ages...mine has been going years for the same bottles.

[Jon Kunac-Tabinor]

Hi Jamie - just to clarify here. The order for these things is:

Paint your model in its colour scheme

gloss varnish your model - you want a nice even gloss too - so depending on what varnish you use you may need 1, 2 or even 3 coats.

Apply decals - use Micro Set brushed on in the area where the decal will go, apply the decal and position it.

leave the decal for a few minutes ot the micro set can grab the decal.

Apply some MicroSol over the top with a brush of the decal and leave it to dry.

Carry on applying decals in this fashion, then let everything dry off.

Give your model a wipe down with a damp cloth - to remove any Set and Sol residue - let it dry.

Apply your final varnish finsih to give the model whichever level of matt, satin or gloss sheen you need.

Hope this helps

Jonners

[spike7451]

Spent Friday night decalling a H/B 1/72nd Corsair in Tigermeet decals.The decals were quite thick gut incredibly fragile,the stripes under the wing's I gave up on so am having to paint them on.

I was worried the surface details would be hidden by the thick decals but after the Micro Sol/Set,they went down OK.

[Pearson.J]

Spent Friday night decalling a H/B 1/72nd Corsair in Tigermeet decals.The decals were quite thick gut incredibly fragile,the stripes under the wing's I gave up on so am having to paint them on.

I was worried the surface details would be hidden by the thick decals but after the Micro Sol/Set,they went down OK.

Thank you Jonners, my brain wasn’t working earlier, it being the holidays and all.

Thanks spike, that’s one of my worries, about "messing" it up and ruining the detail.

That is one mighty fine DUKW

Jamie