Large Scale Central

Placing decals over rivets

Modeling
#1

I am customizing my new Shay with decals and paint.

Is there a trick to placing decals over rivets? I am putting a large decal on the rear water tank car of the 3 truck Shay. How do I get the water out from under the rivet area so the decal will hug the rivets?

Thanks

#2

First you should visit your hobby shop to get some setting solution for the decal. Microscale and Walthers both make a good product. Once you soften the decal with the solution, a prick with a pin will allow the bubbles to flatten. When it’s all set and dry give it a coat of Dullcote.

If you use Walthers in particular, if the decal wrinkles all up after applying the solution just leave it be. When it dries all the wrinkles will have disappeared.

#3

Microscale Micro-Set or Micro-Sol work good. They soften the decal and let it settle down over any irregularities on the surface. I usually roll a Q-Tip over the decal very softly to remove any bubbles and get it down into any cracks or crevices on the surface. The Q-Tip soaks up any extra moisture too.

#4

If you wish to soften the decal to snuggle it down over bumps or dips , and you cannot get hold of Microset —which is quite good— try the pre-chemical age treatment of using vinegar to soften it . Take a sniff at decal softeners and you’ll see why . Distilled vinegar is better than malt because it is colourless .
I would never dab at a decal with anything but a soft small paint brush cut down to half length bristles . This way , the decal never detaches to the pad of whatever you are using . The cotton bud idea is similar , but the brush is softer and achieves the same .
The advice about the Walthers stuff is good advice , I never use it since it wrinkled some decals beyond recovery . I mean a three day wait didn’t work . So I slung the stuff . And it attacked the paint , too .
Do not expect instant results with any decal softener , patience is required .

Mike

#5
Mike Morgan said:
If you wish to soften the decal to snuggle it down over bumps or dips , and you cannot get hold of Microset ---which is quite good--- try the pre-chemical age treatment of using vinegar to soften it . Take a sniff at decal softeners and you'll see why . Distilled vinegar is better than malt because it is colourless . I would never dab at a decal with anything but a soft small paint brush cut down to half length bristles . This way , the decal never detaches to the pad of whatever you are using . The cotton bud idea is similar , but the brush is softer and achieves the same . The advice about the Walthers stuff is good advice , I never use it since it wrinkled some decals beyond recovery . I mean a three day wait didn't work . So I slung the stuff . And it attacked the paint , too . Do not expect instant results with any decal softener , patience is required .

Mike


Thanks Mike! The vinegar works great!

#6

Still need to spray the clear coat but, here it is

#7

Timmy ,
It looks great . Make sure it’s really dry before coating . Nice work .
Mike