Decals

[MikeMc]

working on my first ferrari and need to decal it. How and what do I use to apply decals to "raised details" like the prancing horses on the motor and headrests?? microsol? solvaset? as I normally do not decal I need advice.. I've looked at the Superamerica pix by Zoom Zoom and Confederate and I'm blown away!!!!!

[Frank Steffens]

Use Microsol to apply to the area where the decals will be placed before you place it. Once it is placed in its final location, burnish it LIGHTLY with a cotton swab, then use the corner of a napkin or paper towel to wick away excess moisture. Before applying Solvaset, make absolutely sure thats where the decal will be staying. Once applied, Solvaset will make the decal rather brittle and VERY difficult, if not impossible, to move without shattering it. It WILL help the decal conform to compound curves and over any raised detail/crevices underneath.

Also, after applying Solvaset, you may notice that the decal wrinkles. Don't worry about that, that shriveling will eventually straighten itself out. Resist the urge to touch it!

If you are applying the decal to a flat surface (flat, as in the opposite of gloss), instead of Microsol, try to use a very small bit of Future Floor polish underneath the decal. It will give the decal a nice smooth surface to adhere to and prevent "silvering". As before, try to wick away any excess Future. Later, you can spray flat clear onto the area and the decal will look painted on.

Every manufacturer's decals are different and respond to these setting solutions differently. If there is a decal on the sheet that you wont be using, test the reaction to the solution on that decal. If you're going to use all of them, most companies will have their name on the decal, along with the name of the model you are building, use that to test.

[robertw]

Solvaset can also over react with some decals and destroy them so test before using it. I usually reserve Solvaset for my toughest jobs.

Because of Solvasets ability to really snug decals down make sure the decal is directly above the raised area before applying. Usually I like to sand off raised detail before applying a similar decal over it.

robw