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  • Scale Model Basics: Using 2-part decal setting solutions

Scale Model Basics: Using 2-part decal setting solutions

Tim Kidwell walks through the steps of using 2-part decal solutions, explains what each part does, and shows the best tips and tricks for using them!
October 13, 2023
RELATED TOPICS: SCALE MODEL BASICS | HOW TO | HOW-TO | DECALING

Welcome to Scale Model Basics: Using 2-part decal setting solutions. In this episode, Tim Kidwell walks through the steps of using 2-part decal solutions, explains what each part does, and shows the best tips and tricks for using them!

9
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9 COMMENTS
Most recent | Oldest to newest
Added last year
Tim Kidwell
Alan, you should be good to go with Pledge Floor Gloss under your setting solutions.
Added last year
Tim Kidwell
Ross: The truth is that not all decals are made the same and will react differently to different setting solutions. For example, I just finished a kit and the decals refused, even repelled, every solution I through at it, and even withstood repeated and aggressive applications of a hair dryer. However, that is an extreme example. In the main, decals have come along so well in the last 10-15 years, that most will react to MicroSet and MicroSol (or other two-part setting system). However, if you have questions, test on a decal that you don't intend to use.
Added last year
Tim Kidwell
High everyone! Thanks for watching and your comments. William: Yes, you can get away with using only MicroSol, and I have personally done it. Different decals need different levels of coaxing. The downside would be the decal doesn't settle as nicely as you would have liked the first time around and you may need to use more applications of MicroSol than you would have had too otherwise. I'm more and more of the opinion that it doesn't hurt to always use the MicroSet and MicroSol in conjunction, even if I can get away with placing a decal and then hitting it with only MicroSol.
Added last year
Alan Wingeier
Good video, Mike. I like to coat the area that will be under decal with Future, PFG or whatever it or its replacement is called. Will this affect how the Micro-Set and Micro-Sol work. Thanks
Added last year
Rob Lotero
Thanks for the info. Been using these for years although, I sorta made it up as I went along. Now I know the correct method. As a suggestion, how about a piece on printing decals. I have some older models I would like to build but the decals are old and not worth the effort to use and I can not find any after market decals. Thanks again and keep it up!
Added last year
Ross Martinek
I recall from years ago that some manufacturer's decals do not respond to some decal setting solutions. Is that no longer true? If so, that would be great. If not, how do you know without testing every set of decals?
Added last year
George Blair
I always had trouble remembering which to use first and finally realized that MicroSet will "set" or hold the decal in place, while MicroSol is the solvent that sucks it into place. I still put a big 1 and 2 on the caps for quick recognition in the heat of battle. It is interesting that the MicroSol is a paint remover. If you don't remove the excess MicroSol from the paint around the decal, it sometimes damages the paint. Now I know why.
Added last year
Tony Wood
I could never remember which was first - red or blue. So I wrote a big No 1 on the cap and the side of the "Set" bottle. But just watching your video I see that they are already labelled - MI 1 and MI 2
Added last year
William Robertson
Can you get away with only using the 2nd half of the solution (just the decal softener solution)? What are the downsides of only using the decal softener solution versus using both?
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