do I need to use the Sol and the Set or can I use just the Sol?
Hi Jon,
Both MicroSet and MicroSol can be used.
....and apologies in advance for the use of my US photos to illustrate my technique
... which I trust may assist.
Micro Set is a weak acetic acid solution (smells a bit like vinegar) and is used to remove any surface tension and aid with the positioning of decals. On flat surfaces you can get away with only using this.
Micro Sol is a softening and drawing solution and this softens and draws the decals over any irregularities e.g. panels, planking, strapping etc.
My approach is to wet the area to receive the decals with Micro Set then apply the decals. Once I'm satisfied with the position and, rather than dab the decal as this may disturb it, I use a corner of kitchen roll to remove excess solution by capillary action.
After this I, with a watercolour paint brush, apply some Micro Sol and leave to dry. Don't panic if the decal creases slightly as it is part of the softening, stretching and drawing process after which the decal dries flat.
Do not flood the MicroSol as the decals will move out of position. This has happened to me on several occasions and I never learn from each episode. In this case I soak up the excess and reposition the decal, however I act quickly before the MicroSol softens the decal giving it a high propensity to deform and tear.
After drying and if the decal hasn't been drawn into the plank grooves, I use a scalpel to cut the decal and re-apply some MicroSol to draw it into the grooves. This is what I did with the decals over the door panels my P48 SSW GP9.
The
HYDRA-CUSHION decals were applied in the manner above and the MicroSol has drawn the decal over the rivets. On large decals such as these I tend to randomly prick/puncture the decal letters with the tip of the scalpel blade to ensure the MicroSol reaches all areas of the underside of the decal.
These are Microscale decals and have feathered edges on the carrier film so the decal edges are not obvious.
In instances where I have cut the decals from a sheet I now feather the edges by lightly sanding then with a fine emery paper stick. This is something I should have done with the Champ Decals COTTON BELT decals here. The edges are just visible around BELT and again the MicroSol has drawn the decal over the rivets.