Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Trying to apply decals to my space marine shoulder pads and even using micro set and micro sol I'm still getting rough edges and lifting on some of the edging.

I've used a small knife to cut a split in the decal to help it kind of overlap itself and smoothen out- but it's not looking too sharp. Heh.

Any suggestions?

You could try soaking them longer but honestly it seems like sometimes the transfer material just isnt up to snuff.

1) GLOSS VARNISH. Probably the most important step. This will help the decal have more surface area to adhere to, plus it will eliminate any silvering from the decal later on.

2) Don't soak your decals. Grab a lid, put a folded paper towel and soak the towel, then lay the decal on the wet paper towel. That will keep all the glue on the decal instead of washing away dunking it.

2) Prewet the surface with microset.

3) Apply decal and let it dry.

4) Apply Microsol and let dry.

5) Apply Microsol again and WITH YOUR FINGER, push down on the decal straight down. Don't drag your finger or you'll rip it. This takes a lot of practice, but once you get used to it, it allows you to crank lots of decals fast, and with impeccable results.

6) Apply Microsol and let dry. If necessary, go back and apply some more Microsol.

7) Satin/gloss varnish before your oil washes.

I never cut decals, even or very curvy surfaces. This saves me tons of times when cranking 200+ decals at a time for my guardsmen. Tapping with your finger all the way. It's pure art, no science, so it might take some practice to get this method yielding best results.

 Chootum wrote:
1) GLOSS VARNISH. Probably the most important step. This will help the decal have more surface area to adhere to, plus it will eliminate any silvering from the decal later on.

2) Don't soak your decals. Grab a lid, put a folded paper towel and soak the towel, then lay the decal on the wet paper towel. That will keep all the glue on the decal instead of washing away dunking it.

2) Prewet the surface with microset.

3) Apply decal and let it dry.

4) Apply Microsol and let dry.

5) Apply Microsol again and WITH YOUR FINGER, push down on the decal straight down. Don't drag your finger or you'll rip it. This takes a lot of practice, but once you get used to it, it allows you to crank lots of decals fast, and with impeccable results.

6) Apply Microsol and let dry. If necessary, go back and apply some more Microsol.

7) Satin/gloss varnish before your oil washes.

I never cut decals, even or very curvy surfaces. This saves me tons of times when cranking 200+ decals at a time for my guardsmen. Tapping with your finger all the way. It's pure art, no science, so it might take some practice to get this method yielding best results.

This is pretty much it, though I will add the GW alternatives to Microset is 'Ardcoat and the alternative to Microsol is Lahmian Medium, least I think it is that order

 Raz'kull Skull Krusha wrote:
This is pretty much it, though I will add the GW alternatives to Microset is 'Ardcoat and the alternative to Microsol is Lahmian Medium, least I think it is that order

There are no "GW alternatives" to MicroSet and MicroSol; 'Ard Coat is overpriced gloss varnish and Lahmian Medium is overpriced acrylic medium.

True enough, but it was more what they recommend using for those who stuggle find the alternatives to GW products, an alternative is not necessarily the same product

Though I would recommend using MicroSol and MicroSet, 'Ardcoat and Median both work as well as I started out with them without any issues I am sure one is better than the other but so long as My Decal is on and looks good I am a happy camper.

@ Skull Krusha, What Scooty is saying is that your statement is incorrect. Ardcoat and Lahmian medium will NOT work the same as Microsol or Microset.

The GW products you mention are for before and after the decal is applied. Ardcoat (or any gloss varnish) goes down before the decal. Once dry, you can apply the decal with Microsol and Microset. Then after those are dry, the Lahmian Medium (or any matte varnish) can be layed on over top.

Again, do NOT put Ardcoat or Lahmian medium onto a wet decal, you will not like the results.

For the record, here is one of the best tutorials on decals I have found yet:

http://www.winterdyne.co.uk/maz/winterdyne_tutorial3.pdf

Honestly I soak mine for 10 or 12 seconds, just enough to get em to slide. Then I just set them where I want them and use a brush to wipe them sown. Once they're dry it's on to the varnish, and that seals them down for good.