ModelRailroadForums.com is a free
Model Railroad Discussion Forum and
photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
Is it necessary to apply Microsol to a decal being applied to a perfectly prepared flat surface, or is it only needed when a surface has contours or bumps to conform to? I am applying Microset to adhere the decal initially, but should I follow it up with Microsol? Has anybody skipped directly to Microsol instead of using Microset?
I have never used Microsol (flat or raised) and have had good results.
I have since switched to Walthers Solveset. I like it a lot better.
I have never used Microsol (flat or raised) and have had good results.
I have since switched to Walthers Solveset. I like it a lot better.
View attachment 262438
My small bottles of MSet and MSol will likely last me 50 years. In fact, I still have half a bottle of Set that my father purchased in the 80's. lol Is Solvaset night and day better than those? I will also be doing some graffiti decals on rib-sided freight cars and intended to use the MSol for sure on those. I was just debating on if MSol would be overkill decaling some conspicuity stripes on a smooth tank car body .
I like it better but that's just my experience. I have used both.
This was done with the Walthers Solvest.
I like it better but that's just my experience. I have used both.
This was done with the Walthers Solvest.
View attachment 262450
Apparently Solvaset is much stronger than MSet. Do you apply it to lay the decal on, and then topcoat it over a period of time?
I applied some Solveste to the area (a little larger than the decal). Put the decal in warm water to seperate it from the backing. Set the
decal on the solveset and worked it down with Q-tips working out bubbles and keeping the decal wet with solveset till I was satisfied.
Then let air dry to evaporate.
I applied it to top and bottom.
Solvaset works real well .
Microsol works if it's on an uneven surface and you want it to melt into it after using the "set".. I don't use it anymore because it has a tendency to curl the edges.
Is it necessary to apply Microsol to a decal being applied to a perfectly prepared flat surface, or is it only needed when a surface has contours or bumps to conform to? I am applying Microset to adhere the decal initially, but should I follow it up with Microsol? Has anybody skipped directly to Microsol instead of using Microset?
I have but it was a mistake. They are both dilute acid but Microset is much weaker, so that it just makes the decal pliable and conforming to the surface, without melting it down. Microsol is much stronger and is designed to dissolve the decal medium leaving only the paint.
Solvaset is closer to Microsol as far as what it does. And I have melted thinner decals with it before I've gotten them aligned exactly how I wanted them.
I keep both in my decalling arsenal.
I have but it was a mistake. They are both dilute acid but Microset is much weaker, so that it just makes the decal pliable and conforming to the surface, without melting it down. Microsol is much stronger and is designed to dissolve the decal medium leaving only the paint.
Solvaset is closer to Microsol as far as what it does. And I have melted thinner decals with it before I've gotten them aligned exactly how I wanted them.
I keep both in my decalling arsenal.
Do you apply the MSol only after the MSet has dried, or do you apply it immediately after placing the decal?
Do you apply the MSol only after the MSet has dried, or do you apply it immediately after placing the decal?
After drying. Combining two different types of acid is never a good idea.
Apparently Solvaset is much stronger than MSet. Do you apply it to lay the decal on, and then topcoat it over a period of time?
I use Microset top put the decal on the car,it gives you time to get it in place. Solvaset I use after the Mset is dry, it snugges the decal down. I f you use the solvaset first it'll soften the decal and tear it. The Seaboard and the family lines decal were one large decal. Definitely needed the Microset to put that them on and time to get them straight. The Solvaset helped to get it down over the ribs of the car.
After drying. Combining two different types of acid is never a good idea.
So MSol can be applied at any time (ie an hour, a day, a week
I use Microset top put the decal on the car,it gives you time to get it in place. Solvaset I use after the Mset is dry, it snugges the decal down. I f you use the solvaset first it'll soften the decal and tear it. The Seaboard and the family lines decal were one large decal. Definitely needed the Microset to put that them on and time to get them straight. The Solvaset helped to get it down over the ribs of the car.
View attachment 262687View attachment 262688
I hope my graffiti decals suck down over the ribs as well as yours did.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website
(Learn More Here)
