anyone else having problems with decals?

[mojo]

hey there
I was just wondering if anyone noticed any problems with the fed decals?
never in my model-making life have I ever had as many problems with any decals as I have with these- they just break up and stick to the wrong places- they refused to move into place- even with a dose of micro set- I lost the kirov decal :x and now I'm freaked out to use the enterprise or any others I'm looking forward to.- I don't know if they're too thin or what-and this isn't my first rodeo with decals- I use them-I love them...usually. any thoughts?

 

[The Big D]

Interesting. Over my fleet so far I have applied 200 decals or bits of decals from the mongoose sheets and only damaged one. This was because I used metal tweezers on the first bit I applied and that effectively cut halfway throught the piece which then broke. Fortunately it was the side panel on a heavy cruiser which is identical and common on the sheet!

What procedure are you using to apply the decals? Maybe I can help?

Geoff

 

[mojo]

I've got a small container of water handy and a sharp blade- cut the piece out and use metal tweezers to dip in water 5-6 sec then lay on work surface while I apply micro set to area- wet finger/thumb and while holding with tweezers I gently slip a bit off one side and place against surface and hold in place with finger or brush while sliding backing out slowly- then will use a bit more micro set to manipulate decal into place while getting air bubbles out with brush- then with damp paper towel, will gently blot area to soak up excess micro set/water. after a bit, will brush micro sol onto decal to finish. this is what I've done on countless decals and have never once had a rip or problem-to my surprise when I did these steps on the decals I was applying to my battle cruiser- they stuck and ripped and had problems at every step of the above process...it blew my mind! everything that could go wrong did- thoughts?

 

[The Big D]

The decals for these ships are very small so any minor issues are definitely going to be more problematic.

Try some of these:

Put a layer of gloss varnish onto the place where the decal will go. It will make the surface smooth and allow the dcal to slide more eaisily.

Instead of dampening the decal then applying it I have found with these it its easier to dampen them in place. Cut out the piece you want. Put a dab of water onto the ship in position next to the gloss layer then position the decal still dry onto the damp bit. Next blot a bead of water with a small brush onto the decal. This is all it will need to come free within 30 seconds. Slide it gently into position with a burush while sliding out the paper. Use a bit more water to glide it into position then soak up the excess with a dry brush not paper. It is eaiser to control.

Now put the micro set on. If you do it before the decal is on then a combination of it being tiny then softened will make it more likely to break. If you do it when it is on but still damp then it will still work. Give it 30-60 seconds to work in then use a bigger 3mm ish slightly damp brush and you can work clear bubbles and smooth around the surfaces. If you knock it out of position by accident then use more water to lift it poke it into position with a brush then dab it off again when in position.

Don't use metal tools to manipulate the decal once on the model these will shred them. Just use the point of a small bush and water.

Finally when dry recoat over the top with more glaoss varnish, then use a matt coat to take off the shine.

Give this a try and see how it goes!

Geoff

 

[mojo]

hey thanks man, I'll give it a try

 

[MongooseMatt]

metal tweezers to dip in water 5-6 sec

Just to chip in myself, I usually completely submerge decals for 20-30 seconds before use...

 

[The Big D]

metal tweezers to dip in water 5-6 sec

Just to chip in myself, I usually completely submerge decals for 20-30 seconds before use...

I used to that myself for many years. Had a few problems with decals floating off of the paper. Trying to fish them out was a total nightmare! :x

Then someone showed me a new technique. Get a piece of kitchen towel or tissue, fold it up a couple of times and pour some water on it. Then you have a wet pad that you can soak your decals on with no chance whatsoever that they will float away!

The soaking on the models I have only used on a few Starfleet ships where I was putting individual numbers and letters that were aprox 1mm square. they were too small to eaisily manuver when wet so I put them into position dry and soaked them there. As these are good quality and new, they soak off in next to no time compared to some I have used in the past that can take minutes to come free.

Geoff

 

[Halfbat]

I, too, had been having loads of problems, so you're not alone.

However, Geoff, that was great: I will approach them in the way you describe. Thanks again for your tips and helping encourage us all!

 

[billclo]

The method I finally settled upon that works well and no longer has the decals on the Fed ship's saucers settle and crack, etc is this:

Make sure the model has a glossy surface.

1) coat decals with Microscale Liquid Decal Film (I'm told this toughens up the decals somewhat). Let dry at least 15 mins.

2) Put Micro Set where the decal is to go.
3) put some water on the decal to loosen it up, and put the decal where it needs to go.
4) Put some Micro Set on the decal and make sure it's all covered. Let sit 1 min or so, and gently dab off with a Q-tip, making sure to work from the center of the decal to the edges. Make sure the edges are all adhering.

DO NOT let the Micro Set sit too long, and definitely don't do what I did once and left large amounts of it on the decals and let dry. It resulted in browning of the edges which was a pain to remove (but mostly came off with distilled water dabbed on).

5) Let dry overnight/10-12 hours.
6) Gently apply more of the MicroScale Liquid decal film on top of the decal and let dry at least 15 mins.
7) Spray on 2 coats of matte clear coat.

I've also had no decals tear/rip since using the Liquid Decal film before cutting out of the sheet.