|
|
 Rank: Newbie Groups: New Members, Unapproved Joined: 23/06/2025 Posts: 3 Points: 9 Location: Redditch
|
Hi all! First post here, so please go easy on this novice modeller and his (silly) questions! I've now received up to pack 15, so am close to 80 parts in. So I want to actually get cracking...but had some questions relating to the decals... 1. I've seen some online tutorials. Some are using setting fluid, but it seems the received wisdom here is that plain old water is fine. What say you wise types? 2. The carrier film. How/when is best to remove this? The vids I have seen suggest you wait 24hrs and then gently use a scalpel to loosen an edge, before then using tweezers to pull it off. - Do I need to add any more water before using the scalpel? - Would a toothpick be a safer alternative to a scalpel? - How likely is a scapel to cause damage? - What exactly do you do? Just aim for a corner - Does the film just cover a set area of the actual decal (eg the sponsor words or logo, or the entire decal sheet)? Full disclosure, I have snagged a second set of parts 1-10 online, so I have a get out of jail card in case of any disasters. Thanks in advance! Really looking forward to getting started on this soon 
|
|
|
Rank: Administration         Groups: Registered, Administrators, Global Forum Support, Moderator, Forum Support Team, Official Builds Joined: 04/01/2016 Posts: 6,732 Points: 20,513 Location: Northamptonshire, England
|
Hi Doublek Welcome to the forum. Regarding your question. It depends on how long the decals have been on the model and whether they have been sealed with a varnish overlay. I use these two products as shown in the picture below. You will see that one is a decal remover and setter. As long as they haven’t been sealed with a varnish and depending how long they have been applied, the blue tub, decal remover should help. Start by applying the solution and using a tool that is not sharp to carefully remove the decal. Be gentle as you don’t want to remove or scratch the paintwork. If a varnish has been applied it maybe more difficult. Hope that helps Regards Mark Markwarren attached the following image(s): Regards
Markwarren
(Mark) Admin
|
|
|
Rank: Newbie Groups: New Members, Unapproved Joined: 23/06/2025 Posts: 3 Points: 9 Location: Redditch
|
Thanks Mark!
I already got some Micro Set and Micro Sol.
So you are saying just water to initially apply the decal, and then after a day or ao, apply some Micro Set to loosen off the carrier film (and the gold decal will remain in place)?
Just mindful one of the build diaries on here advised against its use?
There'll be no varnish, just the decal as applied, with the film on top.
|
|
|
Rank: Administration Groups: Registered, Administrators, Global Forum Support, Moderator, Forum Support Team, Official Builds Joined: 04/01/2016 Posts: 6,732 Points: 20,513 Location: Northamptonshire, England
|
Sorry, I misunderstood your request. I thought you were just removing the whole decal. I’m not sure you can remove the carrier film without damaging the actual decal. If in doubt, I would only recommend following the instructions in the guide to apply them. I did use some of the micro solution on some decals supplied with the Optimus Prime kit where you had to apply them to a couple of the plastic parts, which looked perfectly fine when done. As I said before, if in doubt just follow the instructions supplied. Roy, one of our forum support team may have a better understanding of how to apply the decals to this kit as he himself is building the model. I’m sure he will give you his input very shortly. Regards Mark Regards
Markwarren
(Mark) Admin
|
|
|
 Rank: Super-Elite  Groups: Official Builds, Administrators, Moderator, Global Forum Support, Registered Joined: 04/06/2011 Posts: 4,797 Points: 14,537 Location: ipswich
|
Hello there.
Welcome aboard.
I haven't added the decals on the official build yet due to the advertising restrictions but I have seen elsewhere that the decals are applied with water as usual and then after 24 hours very carefully peel the backing film off.
As you have some spare bits, give it a try and please let us know how you get on - it will benefit any builders looking in, wondering the same thing.
Roy.
|
|
|
Rank: Newbie Groups: New Members, Unapproved Joined: 23/06/2025 Posts: 3 Points: 9 Location: Redditch
|
Thanks Roy,
Will give that a go - but in your experience, would you look to apply any more water the next day? I know have spares, but want to use the wealth of wisdom here before becoming the canary in the mine :)
|
|
|
Rank: Super-Elite Groups: Official Builds, Administrators, Moderator, Global Forum Support, Registered Joined: 04/06/2011 Posts: 4,797 Points: 14,537 Location: ipswich
|
Yes, I'd apply some water the next day but be aware there would be a fine balance between enough and too much.
You don't want to soak the whole decal back off again.
|
|
|
|
Guest
|
US
