Need Help Regarding Microsol and Clearcoat

[bigbluesd]

I am 10 models into my education but I am having one hell of a time with decals. My current struggle is shown below...

Am I alone in this being a problem? I can not get it to conform well to the contours of the hood scoop even after playing with it for half an hour. I get those ripples and can not get them out. I tried slicing the decal a little along the edge of the ripple to get it to lay down but it makes for an unsightly seam (see the spot in front of the hood scoop on the top stripe for example).I basted the decal with Microsol hoping it would help but it does not seem to have any effect at all on these spots (or any others for that matter). My usage of Microsol to this point (on other models) has been wholly ineffective... what am I doing wrong?

Please ignore the completely screwed up matching of decals above the hood, I swear to you I used the right decals, triple checked it. They just don't fit. Has to be an issue with the kit. Not happy about that either.

My other question is that after I painted the body with Testor's rattle black there were a couple of rough spots that I sanded with 3600, 4000 and then 12000 grit pads (don't have anything between). These areas are nice and smooth now but obviously the gloss is gone. Should my clearcoat render the gloss difference invisible when I put it on? Just hoping...

Any input or criticism you can give is appreciated, I am frustrated to be a year into this hobby and still have every model end up an eyesore because of paint and/or decal issues.

Edited November 14, 2013 by bigbluesd

[weasel]

yeah, get BOTH the red label and the blue label MicroSol...the red label is the 'hotter' stuff, like you would use on the hood...now, along with the solvent, use a hair dryer after you gently 'paint' the solvent on the decal after you apply the decal...the heat from the hair dryer will shrink the decals to fit...once you put the MicroSol on the decal, DON'T MESS WITH THE DECAL, the creases WILL come out with heat...

the blue label MicroSol is good for the roof/decklid stripes and just about any other decal applications...

Edited November 15, 2013 by weasel

[bigbluesd]

When you talk about the blue/red labels you mean MicroSol and MicroSet, right? I have MicroSet as well, the label is blue on that. I brush it onto the body where the decal is going before I apply them.

[935k3]

Instead of using solvents try using a staeming hot damp clot pressed over the decal. It will conform instantly. Use a hot damp Q-tip for smaller areas. Do not hold it there just press and lift. I do allot of race cars and I could not do them without this technique. See the Martini Lancia I did below, all the striping is decal.

Edited November 15, 2013 by 935k3