Sometimes I wonder why I even bother... bl--dy decals.

Ever had a string of weeks/months where everything you touch turns to cr-p? Well I'm experiencing my own little modeling hell as we speak... or type rather.

I figured I'd get the old Williams FW-13b out of the cupboard that's been there for so long, and do a quick 4-6 week build, just to get one out of the way. I get to the stage of applying the BIG decal on the side of the cockpit, and I'm now watching it set with a number of little creases and folds in it.

It was flat when I applied the MicroSol, I left it for ages before deciding it wasn't setting correctly and trying to help it a little... I dunno. I give up.


Anyone know if this is fixable, short of stripping off the decal and buying a new decal set?

Hope you're all having better success!
Cheers,
M

how long since you applied the solvent to the decal?

It's been about two hours now. I left it for about 30-40 minutes at first before giving it a helping hand. It initially wrinkled as normal, then the majority went flat leaving a few spidery type creases and folds. I started by applying more MicroSol, to no avail. I've since tried to spread and flatten the creases, but there's too much solvent on it now for that to work effectively without messing up surrounding areas.

Live and learn I guess.

Tiny cut with modelling knife and some more microsol will even out the wrinkels. But I tend to leave it overnight to make 100% sure it's dry before touching...

Patience, young Skywalker must have... ;) (couldn't resist...)
haha, easy for me to say who has just started touching models again after weeeeks!

Or are you still trying to move the whole decal? That will be a bit tricky to accomplish if microsol is applied, you'll most likely end up (ask me...) with a completely torn and useless decally (only because you know it used to be a decal) mess.

If you're really up the creek and utterly paddle-less, I know the guys at indycals recently brought out a new decal set for the FW13. See below:
http://www.indycals.com/Decals/90%20Williams%20FW13.html

Good luck!

DONT TOUCH IT!!!!!!

Wait fo rth esolvent to work. Decals wrinkle after application bt it should smooth out later after it has settled. Didn't it tell you this on the instructions?

The solvent melts the decal and if you touch it then, it will probably do irrevocable damage. Patience is a virtue in modelling (easier said then done, though ;) )

EDIT: sorry jsut read your post properly now :blush: Still, wait and see.... :)

I'd say strip it (use cello-tape once it's dried) and next time test, Test, TEST before using any decal solvent on a set of decals. Tamiya and Micro-Sol are rarely compatible (unless they were printed by someone else FOR Tamiya).

Sorry and hope that helps,

I would agree with bvia. It does that on my Tamiya as well. More Microsol did not help the situation. Even after I've made some cuts at the wrinkled areas, it never settles. I spayed clear coat over it and it masked the bad area for a little bit but it is still visible.