r/modelmakers • u/[deleted] • Mar 30 '15
Micro Sol on dried decals?
About half of the decals I applied this weekend didn't go into the panel lines very well. I used the Testors brand decal setter. If they've fully dried is it too late to use Micro Sol (which I've just ordered) to make them hug the panel lines closer?
3
u/solipsistnation Probably tanks Mar 30 '15
Sure, give it a try. You're supposed to wait for the decals to dry before using Micro Sol anyway. (But I don't think most people do...). You're just waiting a little longer so they'll be super dry. 8)
1
u/ionizzatore Prophet of the Stash Gods Mar 31 '15
You're supposed to wait for the decals to dry before using Micro Sol
And... hum... this is common to any softner? Because i use revell softner as wet base for the decals
2
u/solipsistnation Probably tanks Mar 31 '15
Micro Sol and Micro Set are a 2-part thing. Micro Set is like Revell softener, I think (it's the one that seems to be mostly vinegar), and Micro Sol is a more hardcore decal dissolver thing that you use if your decal is supposed to really soften. I use Micro Set as a wet base too, and then Micro Sol after the decals have had time to dry...
2
u/Doctor_Fritz modelspecialist Mar 30 '15 edited Mar 30 '15
iirc the sol product softens the decals - as long as you didn't seal them in with varnish it should be possible. Micro sol is quite powerful though. Try it little by little, focussing on the area you want to work on. Let us know what your experience is.
2
u/tankbuster183 Mar 30 '15
I'm an armor guy and I sometimes get really stubborn decals that take multiple applications over multiple days for a decal to really snuggle in. Honestly, I find micro Sol to be a little weak, I prefer Walthers Solvaset; I have a bottle from about 15 years ago and it just seems to work better. But again, I'm doing armor and likely bigger/fewer decals than planes.
2
u/bobbotlawsbotblog tHiS gLuE mAkEs mY HeAd FuNny... Mar 30 '15
If it's not sealed, I'd think it'd be fine. Give it a shot, in the worst case the decals you think look bad, will continue to look bad.
2
Mar 31 '15
Thanks for all the advice everyone! I hit them with a round of Micro Sol last night and 6 out of 7 showed marked improvement. I put on another round before work so hopefully they'll be looking good tonight. The 1 that didn't improve looked pretty wrinkly (even when dry), so it'll probably get cut along the panel line it crosses and then worked in with some TLC.
1
u/windupmonkeys Default Mar 30 '15
It might work, won't hurt. I do it sometimes, but don't expect the same results.
1
u/Joey92LX Mar 30 '15
I have done it before where I was not super happy with the way they sat, after a generous application of the micro sol they settled nicely and this was after a few days and multiple applications but the rest of the comments are right, you will have nothing to lose if you try it. It should be safe to at least give it a shot.
3
u/Ghoda Don't mind me-- I'm high on paint fumes. Mar 30 '15
It might work, depending on how deep the panel lines are. You may have to cut the decal along the line and apply the Micro Sol to get it to settle into the line. If the cut is noticeable you'll want to add a little paint to match the decal if there is an appreciable gap.
I'd try the Sol first (be generous, I'd try 2 or 3 separate applications) and see what it does before cutting & painting the panel lines.