B2Blain Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I have been having trouble getting large decals to conform. I have used micro sol and Mr. Softener to little effect. It works areas which are lightly raised, but doesn't with areas such as the demarkation between the rudder and vertical stabilizer in the picture below. I do not apply the softener underneath the decal, but apply several (maybe 4 or 5?) coats over it and press with a paint brush to get it to bend into the crease. I am able to get it into the crease but it does not stay and rises as it dries as can be seen in the pic below. The top 1/4 of the crease did conform. Does anyone have any ideas? A more aggressive decal softener? I have also read where people have used future underneath the decal. It supposedly sucks the in before it dried. I have tried this in the past with smaller decals but you need to work fast as the future ends up sticky like glue and you are not able to reposition. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dsahling Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 For hard stuff like this that doesn't want to conform to the surfaces, use Walther's Solvaset, but go easy with that stuff and give it several minutes to work before applying anymore as it can easily attack the gloss coat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viper730 Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 xacto knife time...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B2Blain Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 4 hours ago, dsahling said: For hard stuff like this that doesn't want to conform to the surfaces, use Walther's Solvaset, but go easy with that stuff and give it several minutes to work before applying anymore as it can easily attack the gloss coat. I was thinking about Solvaset, but was unsure about it. I thought Mr. Softer was more aggressive. Maybe I will try it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoFo Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 It would also help to prick a couple of holes with a sharp pin. It will let the air escape and allow a bit of decal sol to flow under the decal, making it more pliant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastijan Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 For larger complex decals I use hairdryer. Blow the hot air over the decal (but don't overdo it of course) and then just press decal into the plastic part and it will conform to any shape. I blow for about 5-10seconds and then press with a paper tissue and it works. Two of my "hairdryer" projects Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Tamiya X-20A thinner works great as a setting solution. Give it a shot. Cheers Collin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Snap Captain Posted May 26, 2017 Share Posted May 26, 2017 Run an X-acto knife down the panel lines and then add more solvent. Works a treat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devo Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 On 26/05/2017 at 11:42 AM, Crazy Snap Captain said: Run an X-acto knife down the panel lines and then add more solvent. Works a treat. Agree, what he said. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B2Blain Posted May 29, 2017 Author Share Posted May 29, 2017 I tried solvaset and it was a little too hot for the decal. Can I dilute solvaset to reduce its effects a little? Maybe water? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adamitri Posted May 29, 2017 Share Posted May 29, 2017 (edited) On 5/22/2017 at 8:02 PM, dsahling said: For hard stuff like this that doesn't want to conform to the surfaces, use Walther's Solvaset, but go easy with that stuff and give it several minutes to work before applying anymore as it can easily attack the gloss coat. Found this out the hard way Edited May 29, 2017 by adamitri Spelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 You're using warm water when soaking the decal right ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B2Blain Posted May 31, 2017 Author Share Posted May 31, 2017 On 5/29/2017 at 2:10 PM, habu2 said: You're using warm water when soaking the decal right ? Yes I am using warm water. I put just one coat of Solvaset on the decal and it softened it up pretty quickly. I was hoping for a little more gradual action. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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